Album Review: Take My Hand Precious Lord by The Five Blind Boys of Alabama
Alright, let’s talk about Take My Hand Precious Lord by The Five Blind Boys of Alabama. Released in 1997 under AIM Records (props to Australia for putting this gem out), it’s one of those albums that just sticks with you. The genres are all over the place—Funk/Soul, Religious—and the styles? Southern Gospel, Traditional Gospel, Contemporary Gospel…you name it. It’s like a big ol’ gospel stew, but every spoonful tastes good.
Now, before we dive into the tracks, shoutout to Peter Noble for the liner notes. Dude clearly gets what makes this group tick. And can we just take a second to appreciate how smooth these guys sound? Like butter on a biscuit. Even though they’ve been around forever, their voices still hit hard, like a preacher’s sermon right to your soul.
Alright, onto the songs. There are some real winners here, but two tracks stood out to me: “Take My Hand Precious Lord” and “Just A Closer Walk With Thee.” Let’s break ‘em down.
First up, “Take My Hand Precious Lord.” This is the title track, so you kinda expect it to slap—and oh man, does it ever. It starts off slow, almost like a prayer, then builds into this powerhouse anthem. The harmonies are tight, and there’s this raw emotion in their voices that makes you feel like they’re singing to you, not at you. I mean, who hasn’t had days where they needed someone—or something—to hold onto? That’s what this song feels like. It’s comforting, but also kind of haunting, ya know? Like, it reminds you life ain’t easy, but you don’t gotta go through it alone.
Then there’s “Just A Closer Walk With Thee,” which might be one of the most covered gospel tunes ever. But let me tell ya, the Five Blind Boys make it their own. They take this old-school hymn and give it a fresh coat of paint, adding soulful twists and turns that keep you hooked. What really gets me is how they stretch out certain words—it’s like they’re pulling joy straight from heaven and handing it to you. You can’t help but nod your head or maybe even hum along. It’s simple, sure, but sometimes simple hits the hardest.
The rest of the album follows suit—songs like “I Got a Home In That Rock” and “You Don’t Know” bring plenty of fire too. And props to them for throwing in “Danny Boy,” which is totally unexpected but works somehow. Like, why mess with perfection? Oh wait, they didn’t—they enhanced it.
So yeah, Take My Hand Precious Lord is more than just an album; it’s a vibe. It’s the kind of record you put on when you need hope, comfort, or just a little pick-me-up. Honestly, after listening to it, I found myself thinking about how music can bridge gaps between people, no matter where they come from. Whether you’re into gospel or not, this album speaks to something deeper. And isn’t that what great music’s supposed to do?
Oh, and here’s a random thought to leave you with: If aliens landed tomorrow and asked us to explain humanity, I’d hand them this album. Not sure if they’d get it, but hey, at least they’d hear something beautiful.
