These days arguably the world's foremost gospel group, The Original Blind Boys of Alabama are currently enjoying the greatest commercial success in an extraordinary recording career which began way back in 1948.
Three of the group’s original members, including its founder Clarence Fountain, are amongst its current line-up.

Their three recent critically-acclaimed albums released on Peter Gabriel’s Real World label, on which they were joined by well-known guest musicians, were an eclectic mix of blues, folk and Afro-beat styles combined with their traditional gospel sound. As a result they have succeeded in crossing their music over to a whole new audience and generation of listeners.

Over the years The Original Blind Boys Of Alabama have recorded for a number of record labels. They were signed to Chicago’s Vee-Jay Records between 1963 and 1965, then one of the most significant and highly-regarded gospel labels.

The hard-driving gospel sound they developed whilst at Vee-Jay was a considerable influence on many soul singers of the day, including Bobby Bland and Marvin Gaye.

‘Just A Closer Walk With Thee’ is a collection of highlights from the group’s Vee-Jay recordings and includes ‘Precious Lord’ (which they re-recorded on their second Real World album, ‘Higher Ground’), ‘Mother Loves Her Children’ and ‘I Trust In God’. It also includes a couple of highlights from the group’s earlier recordings, ‘What Manner Of A Man Is This’ and ‘Honey In The Rock’.