Soundboard

Blind Boys of ... Wisconsin?

Eric Koeppel |

Well, the forth-coming Volcano Choir album (due September 3) is not the only thing Justin Vernon fans have to look forward to this fall. Vernon recently took a seat in the producer’s chair at his April Base studio for the recording of the new Blind Boys of Alabama record, I’ll Find a Way.
 
The Blind Boys of Alabama, a five-time Grammy Award winning gospel group from (you guessed it) Alabama, have been singing together since their original formation in 1939. The group has released upwards of 50 records to date, each one as soulful as the next. And with a hint of Indie-love this new album will be another one worth listening to.

I’ll Find a Way features a collection of 11 cover tunes and gospel standards hand-picked by Vernon and fellow Eau Claire native Phil Cook (Megafaun, Shouting Matches), who also put together the backing band for the record. The track list even includes a cover of “I Am Not Waiting Anymore” by Field Report, a folk band led by Vernon’s former DeYarmond Edison band-mate Christopher Porterfield.

One can also expect guest appearances-o-plenty on the record, including those of Merrill Garbus (tUnE-yArDs), Patty Griffin, Sam Amidon, Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), and Casey Dienel (White Hinterland). And to answer your question, yes, Vernon’s  voice also makes an appearance on I’ll Find a Way on a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Every Grain of Sand.”

With Vernon’s knack for soulful harmonies and musical experimentation influencing the music of the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama, I’ll Find a Way should be quite a treat. The album will be released on October first of this year.

Listen! Pitchfork has Vernon and the Blind Boys covering Bob Dylan's "Every Grain of Sand."