music

Blind Boys of Alabama

Duets

All-star duets albums are hit-and-miss almost by definition, and this album is a prime example of the strengths and weaknesses of the format: The wondrous voices that make up the Blind Boys of Alabama don’t really need any help, and Duets is weighed down by a surplus of bland collaborators. Still, the country names on the bill offer up some highlights. Randy Travis’ rugged baritone allows him to stand toe-to-toe with the Blind Boys on the lightly swinging “Up Above My Head,” while Asleep at the Wheel cranks up the sly Bob Wills classic “The Devil Ain’t Lazy.”

• November 23, 2009
• by Chris Neal