One of the oldest gospel groups in the world, The Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi came out of the Piney Woods School for the blind, near Jackson, Mississippi. They were young boys when they started singing in 1943, raising money for their school. Upon leaving school in 1944 they started a professional career as the Jackson Harmoneers (later to be renamed ?The Original Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi?). In 1946 they cut their first record and hit the big times, when they signed with Peacock Records in the early 1950?s. Their records were among the best selling gospel records of all times, and they packed huge auditoriums up to 40.000 people. The Original Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi had a reputation as one of the best live gospel acts. The spirit ran so high when the Blind Boys hit church, that many people fainted and had to be carried away by ambulances.
The Blind Boys toured Europe in 1965 as part of Lippmann & Rau?s ?American Gospel & Spiritual Festival?. Their personnel changed over the years. Original lead singer Lloyd Woodard had passed away in 1960 and was replaced by Henry Johnson. Then in 1971 the current lead-singer joined the band, and quickly became known as the singer that could rattle the windows of hell.

The Mississippi Blind Boys kept on playing the circuit of black churches in the USA, won two Grammy Awards for ?Best Gospel Song Of The Year? and were included in the Ebony Gospel Hall Of Fame. The excitement still runs high in their concerts. Sandy Foster told in an 1996 interview: ?Many times we have had ambulances and fire departments there for when people get so excited they?d have to go to the hospital. It was something like that sunday night in Albany. The people were fainting and passing out all over the floors, from rejoicing.?

Organized by German promotor Rolf Schubert, The Original Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi came to Europe in November and December of 1996 for a tour that covered 30 concerts within 29 days. Two of the original 1944 members (Jesse Brown and Olice Thomas) were still with the group. The music was just like Sunday morning worship in the black churches of the USA. Sandy Foster and the Blind Boys managed every night to get even the most reserved audience clapping, shouting and jumping. ?We do like homein our church in Mississippi - you have to shout for Jesus, you have to jump for Jesus.? Some of the excitement and joy of their music is captured on this CD, recorded during their European Tour.