The Dixie Hummingbirds are an American tradition that can be traced to Greenville, South Caroline in 1928.
Although the line-up has naturally changed down the years, the spirit of the modern gospel quartet sound remains gloriously intact.
This is deeply spiritual music, yet it has a strong secular appeal too, embracing roots, blues and the purest soul. Led by the clear-voiced Ira Tucker, the Hummingbirds are joined by assorted guests, including Dr John, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm. First up is God's Radar, which has a rootsy suggestion of early Ry Cooder, as too does Too Many Troubles.
The song titles give the spiritual game away, including the likes of He Watches Out For You And Me, When I Found Jesus Christ and Bob Dylan's City Of Gold. One of the highlights is the spirited I've Been Born Again, as uplifting a piece of gospel as you could wish to hear. An all-round treat.
Updated: 09:19 Thursday, February 05, 2004
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