Although the Blind Boys of Alabama have been singing gospel music for more than five decades, it's only recently that the group has had the benefit of a major record company behind them. The founding members were Clarence Fountain, Johnny Fields, George Scott, Ollice Thomas, and Vel Trayler. The current group consists of Eric McKinney, Billy Bowers, Jimmy Carter, Joey Williams, and Donald Dillion.
From their inception in the 1930s, when all were boys, all members of the group except one were blind. They began singing when all were students, in the glee club, at the Talladega Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Alabama, but didn't begin recording until 1948. As a youth, Fountain heard the legendary Golden Gate Quintet on the radio; the early Five Blind Boys of Alabama took their musical cues from that group. The group began singing professionally as the Happyland Jubilee Singers, and for years only toured the Bible Belt in the Southern U.S.
Since 1948, they've recorded for a variety of small record companies, and had gospel music hits in the 1950s with "Oh, Lord Stand By Me" and "I Can See Everybody's Mother But I Can't See Mine". In 1950, after the death of one of their members, the group renamed themselves simply the Blind Boys of Alabama.
The group recorded first for the Newark-based Coleman Records label. Between 1953 and 1957, the group recorded for Art Rupe's California-based Specialty label. In the 1960s, the group's hard-driving gospel sounds were imitated by people like Bobby "Blue" Bland and Marvin Gaye. The group recorded extensively for the Vee Jay label from 1963 to 1965. In 1969, Fountain left the group for a decade to try to make it on his own, and the group re-formed with all the original members in the late 1970s.
They gained widespread success in 1988, when they starred in an Obie Award-winning Broadway show. According to Fountain, the group's high point was being on Broadway for 15 weeks with the musical Gospel at Colonus. The musical opened up new avenues to bookings for the group, and they began touring theaters and larger churches in the early 1990s, embarking on their first European tours as well. The group was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship in 1994. In 1994 and 1995, the group played festivals including the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Beale Street Music Festival and the King Biscuit Blues Festival. The group also toured in Melbourne, Australia and the World's Fair, in Brisbane.
Mid-1990s television appearances included Black Entertainment Television's On Jazz, and even a cameo on Beverly Hills, 90210.
Since the turn of the century, founding members, George Scott (2005) and Johnny Fields (2009) passed away. Clarence Fountain remains the only living founding member. The group is still performing, under the vocal leadership of longtime member, Jimmy Carter. Releases by the group in recent years have been favorites at the Grammy Awards — they have won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album every year since 2002. The Blind Boys of Alabama were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2002. Their cover of the Tom Waits song "Way Down in The Hole" was featured as the opening theme for season one of HBO's The Wire. In 2008 they released Down in New Orleans, on which they were accompanied by such Crescent City legends as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Allen Toussaint.
Founding members
Jimmy Carter – vocals
Clarence Fountain – vocals (November 28, 1929 - June, 3, 2018)
Johnny Fields (deceased) – vocals
George Scott (d. 2005) – vocals
Olice Thomas (deceased) – vocals
Vel Bozman Traylor (deceased) – vocals
Past members
Bishop Billy Bowers (deceased, July 2, 2013) – vocals
Caleb Butler – rhythm guitar
Samuel Butler Jr – rhythm guitar, songwriter and arranger, manager, second lead singer
Roscoe Robinson – lead vocals
Charles Porter - vocals
Lamont Blount (deceased) – band manager
Reminiscing
The Blind Boys Of Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To individuals, gotta get it off my chest
It ain't about who's the best
Or Five being better than the next
We're just a little different from the rest
'cause see, we got each other
When things go down
And time is just too important to be messin around
But appreciate living life day to day
So how does it feel to be the only ones
Left out in the rain 'cause you're phony ones
Wake up and realize what you live is a dream
Ain't gonna be there for long even though it may seem
Like a never ending story
You in it for the money or the glory
Open up your ears or ignore me
All I'm tryin' to do is be the man I am and be the best in this world I can
Reminiscing bout the time we used to share
If you feel it throw your hands up in the air
Time is running out, memories die
Keep movin' on
Gotta keep movin' on
You got to open your mind up and kick both your feet up
I'll hit you with a tale of how the five of us were meet up
We're just five guys who want to rise to the skies
No, we got a vision in our eyes
Now people want to step up and try to hold us back
They want to try to stop us getting freaky on this track
But this is how we kick it and this is how we swing
And this is how I hit you with the funk that I bring
Now you gotta select to connect not disrespect
And you gotta learn to keep your negativity in check
'cause everybody knows what goes around comes around
I'll put it down with my sound
Reminiscing bout' the time we used to share
If you feel it throw your hands up in the air
Time is running out, memories die
Keep movin on
Gotta keep movin on
Reminiscing bout the time we used to share
If you feel it throw your hands up in the air
Time is running out, memories die
Keep movin on
Gotta keep movin on
Reminiscing bout the time we used to share
If you feel it throw your hands up in the air
Time is running out, memories die
Keep movin on
Gotta keep movin on
Reminiscing bout the time we used to share
If you feel it throw your hands up in the air
Time is running out, memories die
Keep movin on
Gotta keep movin on
Reminiscing bout the time we used to share
If you feel it throw your hands up in the air
Time is running out, memories die
Keep movin on
Gotta keep movin on
The Blind Boys of Alabama's song "Reminiscing" is an upbeat song that speaks to the importance of being true to oneself and appreciating the memories we have. The lyrics begin with the singer explaining that they want to share a little story, not to claim superiority over anyone, but simply to acknowledge their differences. The song emphasizes that unity and trust are essential in order to weather the storms of life, and that time is too precious to waste. The song then moves on to touch on the idea that some people are only able to see what's right in front of them and, as a result, will never be able to truly understand what it means to live a fulfilling life. The singer urges listeners to keep a positive attitude, to keep moving forward, to keep appreciating the memories they've made.
The Blind Boys of Alabama's song "Reminiscing" has a clear message that can resonate with people from all walks of life. The song tells a story of perseverance, unity, and appreciation of the present moment. The song is a celebration of life and the experiences that make it meaningful, and it reminds us to cherish what we have while we have it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I've got a little story that I'd like to address
I have something to say that needs to be heard.
To individuals, gotta get it off my chest
This is meant for everyone to hear, so I need to express it.
It ain't about who's the best
This is not a competition.
Or Five being better than the next
It's not about our group being better than others.
We're just a little different from the rest
We have our own unique style.
'cause see, we got each other
We support and rely on each other.
When things go down
In challenging times.
And time is just too important to be messin around
We can't waste our time on trivial things.
So understand not what I'm trying to say
I hope you can comprehend my message.
But appreciate living life day to day
Value and cherish each day of life.
So how does it feel to be the only ones
How does it feel to be isolated?
Left out in the rain 'cause you're phony ones
Excluded because of dishonesty.
Wake up and realize what you live is a dream
Recognize the unreal nature of your life.
Ain't gonna be there for long even though it may seem
This lifestyle won't last, despite what you may feel.
Like a never ending story
As if it will never end.
You in it for the money or the glory
Are you motivated by wealth or fame?
Open up your ears or ignore me
Listen to what I'm saying or disregard it.
All I'm tryin' to do is be the man I am and be the best in this world I can
I'm striving to be my best self and succeed in this world.
You got to open your mind up and kick both your feet up
Relax and be open-minded.
I'll hit you with a tale of how the five of us were meet up
I'll tell you our story of how our group came together.
We're just five guys who want to rise to the skies
We aspire to achieve great heights.
No, we got a vision in our eyes
We have a clear goal in mind.
Now people want to step up and try to hold us back
Some try to hinder our progress.
They want to try to stop us getting freaky on this track
They want to prevent our unique style from shining through.
But this is how we kick it and this is how we swing
This is our signature sound and style.
And this is how I hit you with the funk that I bring
This is how I deliver my music.
Now you gotta select to connect not disrespect
You must choose to engage rather than undermine or insult us.
And you gotta learn to keep your negativity in check
Don't let your negative attitude get in the way of progress.
'cause everybody knows what goes around comes around
The consequences of your actions will return to you.
I'll put it down with my sound
I'll express myself through my music.
Reminiscing bout' the time we used to share
Recalling fond memories.
If you feel it throw your hands up in the air
Express your enthusiasm by raising your hands.
Time is running out, memories die
Time is finite and memories become distant.
Keep movin' on
Keep moving forward and progressing.
Gotta keep movin' on
It's necessary to continue moving forward.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEX SANCHEZ, JEFFREY BARNES, KENNETH EDWARD PRATT, LEON GRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind