Since meeting at Talledega Institute for the Blind in 1939, the Blind Boys of Alabama have thrilled audiences worldwide with their potent, impassioned renditions of gospel songs.

Celebrating their eighth decade of performance, SPIRIT OF THE CENTURY honors their traditional roots but strikes bold new paths as well, including songs by Tom Waits and Ben Harper - and an astonishing version of Amazing Grace set to the tune of House of the Rising Sun.

This experienced, intuitive group of players combine a reverent knowledge of traditional music idioms with diverse expertise and joyous eclecticism. Their less-is-more sensibility provides the perfect sparse, live-groove setting for The Blind Boys' deft blend of funk, fervour and finesse - while their freewheeling creativity takes Spirit of the Century far beyond the conventional confines of Gospel music. The combination of unexpected instrumentation with a universal spiritual message gives Spirit of the Century the kind of depth and critical mass that is in keeping with the philosophy of the Real World label. Still, with Zen-like logic, the
project's essential core is the rural, Southern sound that first established The Blind Boys of Alabama as pre eminent African-American Gospel singers.