Five Blind Boys Of Alabama - The Singles Collection 1948-62 (2025)

The Blind Boys Of Alabama, founded in 1939, were one of the pioneering and highly influential gospel groups of their era, forging a career through evolving group line-ups which lasted over four decades and eventually brought them international fame an recognition, winning a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Known also for part of their career as The Happyland Singers, and led during this era by Charles Fountain, they were a hugely popular group at ‘live’ concerts, and had a significant influence on singers who became important R&B and soul performers like Ray Charles. This 56-track 2-CD collection comprises most of the A & B sides of their releases on the Coleman, Palda, Gospel and Specialty labels during this era, many of which were featured on their “Revival Time” and God’s Promise” albums. It includes releases as Clarence Fountain and The Original Five Blind Boys of Alabama, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and The Happyland Singers. Acrobat already has a single CD compilation by the group (“The Five Blind Boys Of Alabama 1948-51” ACMCD4204) and this release builds on that with extensive material from later years. It’s a collection which is uplifting and inspiring, and a fine example of their stylish and distinctive brand of gospel.