A moment under the stars

I had one of “those” moments last night at the music festival in Orkney Springs.
We went to hear the Blind Boys of Alabama – a gospel group that has been singing together for more than 60 years. I guess since they truly were “boys.”
Their type of gospel is infused with the original DNA from which soul, rock n’ roll and jazz all sprang. They sang spirituals, familiar hymns and even modern gospel written by Ben Harper.
The song that triggered my “moment” was Amazing Grace.
The music started, familiar strains of an eerie song.
Olivia leaned back and said, “Is that what I think it is?”
I looked at the Ump and said “That’s House of the Rising Sun, isn’t it?”
And it was. There was no mistaking those very familiar opening chords of the song recorded in 1964 by The Animals - the first folk rock tune to top the charts.
But when the Blind Boys started singing it was not about an infamous place in New Orleans. They sang Amazing Grace to the tune of the folk song.
It was glorious. They may be blind old men now, but their voices are magnificent – seasoned and rich. In an industry that glorifies youth, the Blind Boys are diamonds forged by years; wine aged to perfection. Food for the soul.
If you have ever been to the music festival, you know the setup. Some people pay more to sit in the pavilion, but I think the majority of the people who attend sit out on the lawn, under the night sky.
I was watching the sky carefully because the Perseid meteor shower was going on. I will never forget the year that we were there on the peak night of the shower and watched the shooting stars while we listened to the Fairfax Symphony play Beethoven.
So, the moment I had was this overwhelming feeling of understanding the lyrics to “Amazing Grace” and the irony of listening to a group of blind men singing about being able to see.
The starlight sky above. The incredible voices and music. The feeling of being a small part of the galaxy, but not feeling insignificant because of that amazing grace.
The Ump, Olivia and her fiancé, Webb were there. All of us were swaying and moving to the infectious music. Olivia and Webb just became engaged and the concert was kind of our celebration of their fantastic news. (Sept. 6, 2008 is the big day!)
Our family will grow by one when Webb joins it. The Ump and I are delighted. He is a good young man. Hard-working and serious, but fun-loving and joyful. That fresh, just-engaged love surrounded them like a halo – I could see it even though there was little light around us.
This “moment” was enhanced by the beauty of the night, the promise of the future and the weathered voices wizened extreme faith and years of living. “We’re going to sing until God calls us home,” lead singer Jimmy Carter said. “Yes, that’s what we are going to do.”
I have always appreciated the work of people who seem to be called to do what they do – teachers, artists, policemen. The Blind Boys definitely fit in that category.
On the way home I was quiet for a change, pondering the evening and the music that knocked on my heart.
It’s going to be a big year for the Rinker family. Hopefully O and W will let me continue to update you along the way.
I am sure there are going to be many more “moments.”