JB: Q&A with Joey Williams of the Blind Boys of Alabama
Source: JamBands.com
This is a great interview with Joey Williams of the Blind Boys of Alabama that touches on gospel, R&B (including what it felt like to jam with Prince) and the amazing connections this band has made over the years. The last part of the interview deals with the new album, Down in New Orleans. Here's a taste:
JPG: The use of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Allen Toussaint and the Hot 8 Brass Band, was that an effect of recording in New Orleans?
JW: Our manager Charles Driebe is from New Orleans so that's right down his alley. He knew some of the people personally, and he knew his way around New Orleans. (laughs) So, he was able to get things done and get some people in the area. It got a little easier as it went along. And the people in New Orleans were so helpful. They were so willing to do what we needed to be done. So, it would be fitting so well.
JPG: In the press kit Jimmy mentions that New Orleans musicians have a “different feel to their rhythm.” How did you develop a method where your style meshed with theirs?
JW: The Blind Boys are gifted like that. They approached it the same way we've done studio sessions with other people. We've done everyone from Peter Gabriel to Ibrahim Ferrer, Lou Reed, Solomon Burke...so many different genres of music. When we get in there we have to conform to what it is they're doing. It was sort of like that. They had their rhythm. We weren't far off, the two styles. We're kind of related. It wasn't such a hard fit. We got right in there a couple of times around. It was happening.
