Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Marc Cohn and gospel titans Blind Boys of Alabama have announced the August 9th release of Work to Do, via BMG. Produced by John Leventhal, the unique collection combines the songwriting talents of Marc Cohn with the soul-stirring harmonies of Blind Boys of Alabama and falls on the heels of more than a year of live collaborative dates.
Work to Do is comprised of three studio tracks by Cohn and the Blind Boys (two originals, including the title track, and a version of the gospel standard “Walk In Jerusalem”) plus seven intimate live performances recorded at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook, CT, during a taping of the PBS series The Kate. Original plans were to release an EP containing the studio tracks, but the excitement and magic captured during the taping inspired the decision to create this unique hybrid album.
John Loeffler, EVP, Repertoire & Marketing, New York, said, “The signing of Marc Cohn and the Blind Boys of Alabama is an exciting opportunity for BMG. Marc has been an admired friend, composer and world class vocalist for over 25 years. From our early days of singing on jingles together, I have watched Marc become one of the most respected singer/songwriters on the music scene today. We have wanted to work with Marc for some time, and this recording opportunity with the Blind Boys is a perfect way to bring Marc’s songs and their amazing vocals to the public. The album, 'Work to Do', is already one of our favorites and we’re confident it will become a favorite of his many fans.”
The live performances on Work to Do feature the Grammy award-winning Blind Boys of Alabama adding their trademark harmonies and vocal textures to six songs drawn from the breadth of Cohn’s venerable career, including the mega-hit “Walking in Memphis,” “Ghost Train” and “Silver Thunderbird”. The Blind Boys’ striking rearrangement of the traditional hymn “Amazing Grace,” to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun,” completes the collection.
Grammy award-winning artist Marc Cohn has solidified his place as a highly acclaimed and compelling singer-songwriter, combining the precision of a brilliant tunesmith with the passion of a great soul man.
Hailed as "gospel titans" by Rolling Stone, the Blind Boys first rose to fame in the segregated south with their thrilling vocal harmonies and roof-raising live show. They released their debut single on the iconic Veejay label in 1948, launching a 70-year recording career that would see them rack up five Grammy Awards (plus one for Lifetime Achievement), enter the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, collaborate with everyone from Mavis Staples and Stevie Wonder to Prince and Lou Reed, and perform on the world's most prestigious stages.
Marc Cohn and Blind Boys of Alabama have announced a string of summer tour dates in support of Work to Do beginning in June. This rare combination of the incredible soul of Marc Cohn mixed with the inspirational vocal harmonies of Blind Boys of Alabama is a moment not to be missed.
Blind Boys of Alabama/Marc Cohn 2019 Tour Dates
June 7 – East Providence, RI – Bold Point Park *^
June 8 – Cohasset, MA – South Shore Music Circus *
June 9 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom *^
June 11 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount *^
June 13 – Wilkes Barre, PA – F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts *^
June 14 – Staten Island, NY – St. George Theatre *
June 15 – Atlantic City, NJ – Harrah’s Atlantic City *^
June 17 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre *^
June 18 – Cleveland Heights, OH – Cain Park *^
June 19 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights *^
June 21 – Rock Hill, SC – Old Town Amphitheater *^
June 22 – Peachtree City, GA – Frederick Brown Jr Amphitheater *^
June 25 – Rochester, NY – Rochester International Jazz Festival
August 12 – Boulder, CO – Chautauqua Auditorium #
August 13 – Park City, UT – Eccles Performing Arts Center #
August 15 – Seattle, WA – Woodland Park Zoo #
August 16 – Portland, OR – Oregon Zoo #
August 17 – Jacksonville, OR – Britt Festival Pavilion #
August 20 – Saratoga, CA – Mountain Winery #
* - co bill with Robert Cray
^ - with special guest appearance/opener Shemekia Copeland
# - co bill with Taj Mahal
