Not Gonna Shut Up

For well over 60 years the 5 Blind Boys of Mississippi have been on the road traveling and praising God through song.  Though the group has went through a countless number of changes their lead vocalist since the 1970s Mr. Sandy Foster still stands tall.  Delivering a great selection of songs The Blind Boys of Mississippi show their ability to adapt to the sounds of the times.  Long time members like Joe Watson, Jesse Brown, and Sandy Foster mix their voices in praise with Sandy's brother Curtis Foster, who returns to the ranks after a hiatus with his own group Curtis Foster & The Revelations. Last but not least who can forget Charles Montague and his Archie Brownlee influenced vocals. 

Unlike their last release LIVE In Europe this project really rocks with the traditional quartet sound of today.  In fact, after a short introduction by label owner Leonard Williams, Sandy Foster jumps right into the title cut "Not Gonna Shut Up".  This toe tappin' number tells the listener that the Blind Boys are going to continue traveling and singing until the Lord calls them home.  You'll find yourself bobbing your head as the group throws in several change ups during the drive section.  As was mentioned earlier, Sandy's brother Curtis returns to the ranks of the Blind Boys of Mississippi.  On this project he is featured on the song that Greg Kelly made famous with the Supreme Angels during the early 1990s "I Never Knew Happiness".  Curtis is also featured on the  ballad "It Could Have Been Me" which actually was the title cut of his only release with Curtis Foster & The Revelations.

Sandy really works out on this project as a good portion of the songs have a heavy groove to them.  In fact, one can almost see Sandy shoutin' and whipping his hand through the air with each beat of the drum.  Songs like the jumpin' "Lift Him Up In Praise", and "Full Time Job" really show the group's hard drivin' side.  I do have to say though, some kickin' LIVE drums would really make these cuts and the rest of the project have that heavy quartet sound.  Speaking of jumpin' songs, Curtis Foster is to be commended as he leads the group in a real smooth number "Wait on Jesus".  The song starts out at a gallop with a slight bluegrass feel and goes through several change ups until it breaks out into full quartet drive mode.

I know true Blind Boys fans have probably been waiting for me to mention songs that really remind you of the heritage that made this group one of the greatest during gospel's golden era.  Well, there are two songs that give you a slight taste of the classic Blind Boys sound. However no old Blind Boys songs make a reappearance on this project.  Jesse Brown, Joe Watson, and Robert Lewis, get together on the arrangement of the classic A-cappella number "You Better Run".  The project then closes with the Archie Brownlee influenced vocals of Charles Montague on "Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone".  It's great to see that Charles is keeping this classic sound alive.  One could only imagine that this is what Archie probably would sound like if he were alive singing in 2004.