The Blind Boys of Alabama temporarily defrosted a packed Finney Chapel this past Tuesday, Feb. 12 with their unique, energetic brand of gospel music to a thrilled group of Obies and locals. Just one day after founding member Jimmy Carter’s birthday (“I spent all day in the airport,” he grumbled in between songs), the singer joined the initially reserved crowd for an impromptu dance party in the aisles at the end of the set. 

The group, which has been together in various incarnations since 1939, has more recently won four consecutive Grammy Awards in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, a fact of which Carter lightheartedly reminded the audience throughout the night. The seasoned performers, clad in matching apricot-colored suits, combined their vocal gymnastics with those classic cross-genre crowd pleasers, drum solos and pelvic thrusts, to dish out a spirited mid-week study break.