This is one of the few weeks that we are not running an article on Duke Performance's Soul Power series and that is a crying shame. Well, I am not actually going to cry about it, so that makes it more like a dry-eyed shame.
The only reason why we aren't providing coverage this week is because our interview with the Blind Boys of Alabama fell through and DJ Spooky was too scary to talk to (also slightly unreachable). These two concerts are going to be under-attended by undergraduates (as most Duke Performances usually are) which is another dry-eyed shame (more leg space for me).
The Blind Boys of Alabama (Feb. 8, Page Auditorium, 8 p.m.) is a multi-Grammy-award-winning gospel group that may be best known for performing The Wire's first season theme song. The group is almost 70 years old and has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Boys are so impressive and talented they make even the least religious person spiritual.
While the Blind Boys of Alabama bring tradition and experience, DJ Spooky-a D.C. born conceptual artist-provides a futuristic glimpse into the past with his experimental multi-media presentation of the soul documentary Wattstax this Saturday at 8 p.m. in Reynolds.
Personally, I am most excited about The Roots' ?estlove and local-legend 9th Wonder's dance party in the Nasher on Feb. 22. I will be there awkwardly performing dance moves from the cabbage patch to the Soulja Boy.
Between Following Monk and Soul Power, Duke Performances has cemented its place as the premiere organization for interesting and talented concerts. Why stand for whiny "rock" bands like Augustana and Boys Like Girls when real music is right around the corner?
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