Like an Atom Bomb
March 25th, 2005 by JoshOne of the most interesting and rewarding things I’ve done in my life was a year of interning at 88.5 WXPN here in Philadelphia for David Dye and Live at the World Cafe. I was a Production Assistant which meant that I set up the studio for bands, assisted during recording sessions, edited live sessions and pre-recorded shows, and pulled music and info for the syndicated World Cafe show. Except for the lack of pay, it was the best job ever. I worked sessions with artists like James Taylor, David Bowie, Yo Yo Ma, and actually interacted with great artists like Remy Zero, Vienna Teng, Supergrass, Marah, Musiq Soulchild, and many more.
One of my favorite sessions was with the Blind Boys of Alabama. The core of the band is the remaining blind boys, who met and began singing in 1937 at the Talladega Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Alabama. Nearly 60 years later they’re still touring and making records with the likes of Ben Harper and Robert Randolph. The richness of their voices and their stories was such a stark contrast with so much of what you hear in popular music these days. They sing with the emotional dedication of preachers. The best part of the day was when I ran out and picked them up cheesesteaks.
So check out their new album, Atom Bomb. Good stuff…
April 4th, 2005 at 2:04 pm
I had the opportunity to buy half-priced tickets to see the Blind Boys of Alabama last Tuesday at the Kimmel Center. I wish I had gone to see them …