Dr. John, Blind Boys blend styles

The world premiere of Spirituals to Funk featured five-time Grammy award winners Dr. John and the Blind Boys of Alabama who performed together and combined blues and gospel music to create a unique sound Thursday at the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University.

Dr. John and the Blind Boys of Alabama decided to tour together to recreate a concept that originated in the 1930s, when there was a series of concerts at Carnegie Hall called Spirituals and Swing.

A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. John began his career in the 1950s. He plays the organ and piano, and he combines funk, blues and voodoo mysticism in his music.

The members of the Blind Boys of Alabama met in the 1930s and began singing together at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind.

In the 1940s and 1950s, they became popular in the gospel circuit, playing in churches and auditoriums across the country. In the 1980s, they came back in the spotlight and were in a Broadway show called "The Gospel at Colonus."

The Blind Boys of Alabama were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2002 and have performed at the White House three times.

Cape Girardeau resident Carolyn Kempf said she came to see the performance because she enjoys being exposed to different types of music.

"Anything that says Spirituals to Funk sounds like a good time," Kempf said. "This isn't anything like I've ever heard here in Cape, so I definitely wanted to be a part of it."

Francis Ivanovich, a Jackson resident, said he came to see the performance because he is familiar with both of the musicians, and he was eager to hear how they would sound together.

"I've been listening to both bands for over thirty years," Ivanovich said. "I have very high expectations. It will be a once in a lifetime event."

Robert Parsons, Cape Girardeau resident, has been listening to the Blind Boys of Alabama for several years.

"I never thought I would see the Blind Boys come to Cape," Parsons said.

Dr. John, dressed in a purple suit, and his band, began playing funky, up-tempo music in the beginning of the concert. Dr. John played the piano and the organ, sometimes simultaneously.

After a few songs were played by Dr. John, the Blind Boys of Alabama came onto the stage.

Dr. John and his band accompanied the Blind Boys of Alabama as they sang many of their songs, including "Spirit in the Sky."