The Blind Boys Of Alabama are living legends. They have worked the gospel circuit and now the world concert circuit for nearly 70 years. Formed at the Alabama Institute For The Blind in 1939, the Blind Boys have been around long enough to make their mark on gospel and secular music. This show at the Opera House in Sydney, as part of Vivid LIVE, was a sampler of their music and their ability to generate joy.

The years are taking their toll on the founding members of the Blind Boys. Clarence Fountain has been sidelined since 2006 due to health issues and five of the other members have gone to the spirit in the sky. Jimmy Carter, with his small frame and buckets of energy, continues to keep this gospel group alive. Although his voice has lost some of the magic, his ability to sustain notes and dance and sing through the crowd, is still amazing.

Jimmy is joined by the ‘young’ Eric McKinney on drums. Ricky is not only the drummer but continues on today as the tour manager. His playing is superb and the bands of Tracy Pierce (bass) and Joey Williams on guitar were able accompaniment for the vocalists. Rounding out the Blind Boys are Bishop Billy Bowers and Ben Moore on vocals. They took us to the heavens with their amazing grace, presence and voice.

Shara Worden ( My Brightest Diamond ), looking stunning in black and carrying a baby to be, joined the fellows on two songs. She looked to be in absolute rapture of being able to sing with them and it was the highlight of the evening. Lou Reed came out and played his song Jesus and sang and played his guitar. It was an exceptional end of the evening to hear the curator come out with his guests, even if I do worry about Lou’s health, looking at his walking speed.

75 minutes of joyful gospel, an inspired reading of Amazing Grace done to the music of House Of The Rising Sun, and hand-clapping and hollering throughout, The Blind Boys left us with the ecstasy that always comes from their performances. Mortality has changed the line up of this legendary group, but there is still a flame left within them. This was a very special performance at a festival that has turned out to be something that Sydney folks should put on their calendar for years to come.