low_delta

We arrived at 7:00 for a 7:30 show. It was a very quiet arena. Not many people, even though it was sold out. There was a round stage in the middle of the arena, and we were in the upper level, at one end of the south side. The east and west ends were covered by a curtain. I guess they were not sold, due to being obstructed view.

The Blind Boys of Alabama opened at 7:45. There were three Old Blind Boys. They were seated on chairs on the north, west and south sides of the stage. When they started singing, one of the Boys stood up for the show, and the two others stood up sometimes. There were four musicians/backing singers. Two guitar, bass and drums. They did a somewhat short set of gospel music (five songs). The fourth song was their signature version of "Amazing Grace" sung to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun." The last song was a rousing gospel number, that made it difficult to sit still. One of the Boys was sitting, but couldn't sit still. He was shaking his microphone, andbouncing his knees. After a time, he got up and was starting to jump up and down a little, but almost immediately, the guitarist behind him came over and put a hand on his shoulder to make him sit back down. This happened twice more, but the third time he was shuffling his feet and dancing. Some people thought this was supposed to be a joke, but I don't think so. I think he really wasn't supposed to be on his feet, maybe for fear that he would fall off the stage. I thought his exuberance was definitely not feigned. Either way, it was a very strange little scene.