Take the High Road

by The Blind Boys of Alabama

Overview

Billed as the Blind Boys of Alabama's country-gospel album, Take the High Road has a valuable pedigree from a country standpoint: it was recorded in Nashville with a cream-of-the-crop cast of musicians, and it features appearances from Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr., Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, and the Oak Ridge Boys. It also finds young country star Jamey Johnson in the production chair, a development that came after the Blind Boys performed with him at an Alabama Music Hall of Fame ceremony and they decided to record together. (All of which begs the question of when their rock album with Drive-By Truckers is due.) The songs are a baker's dozen of country/gospel classics, and since the roots of country and gospel are so entwined, this is no fusion record. It's an honest trip through the best that Southern gospel and country have to offer, full of the songs that have been sung for generations -- even the Blind Boys themselves have sung Hank Williams, Sr.'s "I Saw the Light" many times before. Of the songs with guest vocalists, Lee Ann Womack is the surprise winner, bringing just the right notes of contrition and redemption to "I Was a Burden." Hank Williams, Jr. makes his father's "I Saw the Light" shine as well, and the songs with the Blind Boys leading only a light accompaniment fare best. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	05/03/2011
Label:	Saguaro Road / Time Life / Time/Life Music
UPC:	0610583396720

Tracks

1. Take the High Road
2. Jesus, Hold My Hand
3. Have Thine Own Way, Lord
4. I Was a Burden
5. Can You Give Me a Drink?
6. Family Bible
7. Jesus Built a Bridge to Heaven
8. I Know a Place
9. Why Don't You Live So God Can Use You
10. Lead Me Home
11. Stand by Me
12. I Saw the Light
13. The Last Mile of the Way

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Blind Boys of Alabama   Primary Artist
Jamey Johnson   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
The Oak Ridge Boys   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Vince Gill   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Hank Williams, Jr.   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Lee Ann Womack   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Willie Nelson   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Jimmy Carter   Primary Artist
Randy Kohrs   Dobro
Glen Duncan   Fiddle,Mandolin,Guitar (Acoustic)
Reggie Young   Guitar (Electric)
Howard Johnson   Bass (Vocal)
Cowboy Eddie Long   Pedal Steel
Jim Brown   Organ,Piano,Guitar,Percussion
Kevin Grantt   Bass
Mickey Raphael   Harmonica
Clarence Fountain   Guest Artist
Chad Cromwell   Drums

Technical Credits

Jerry Salley   Composer
Danny Clinch   Photography
Randy Kohrs   Composer
McKinley Morganfield   Composer
George Huff   Composer
Hank Williams   Composer
Glen Duncan   Composer
Danny Flowers   Composer
Leslie Richter   Assistant Engineer
Albert E. Brumley   Composer
Jamey Johnson   Arranger,Producer
Eric "Ricky" McKinnie   Group Member
Chris Goldsmith   Arranger,Producer
T.W. Cargile   Mixing,Engineer
Joey Williams   Group Member
Claude Gray   Composer
Mike Jason   Executive Producer
Randy LeRoy   Mastering
Wesley Fontenot   Engineer
Randy Houser   Composer
Chet Flippo   Liner Notes
Andy Hall   Photography
Charles Driebe   Executive Producer
Beau Boggs   Production Assistant
Erika Goldring   Photography
Olivia Kim   Editorial Research
Ben Moore   Group Member
Janine Morris   Project Manager
Craig Monday   Composer
Sorrel Lavigne   Production Assistant
Melinda Harlan   Photography
Jimmy Carter   Group Member
Paul Buskirk   Composer
Traditional   Composer
The Blind Boys of Alabama   Arranger
Bob Delevante   Cover Design,Package Design
Kevin Grantt   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Billy Bowers   Group Member
Tracy Pierce   Group Member
Bas Hartong   A&R
Chad Cromwell   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Walt Breeland   Composer