Kristen Englenz video still in Pray for Rain music video

Vevo Premieres “Pray for Rain” Official Video Featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama

Like the timeless classic Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind”, Kristen Englenz’s “Pray For Rain” featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama searches for answers by questioning. Englenz’s hypnotic plea for understanding of an everchanging world finds solace in the warm, time-weathered voices of the Blind Boys answer of inspiration and uplifting prayer.

The video features the Blind Boys of Alabama recording in legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Especially poignant are footage of Jimmy Carter, the sole remaining survivor of the original Blind Boys, singing spontaneous riffs.  Ken Coomer, who produced the recording, felt these moments were so special, they did not need instrumentation behind it. The single has become an instant favorite and as SoundBites Kristopher Weiss says, deserves to be on repeat.

Michael Killeen headshot

Mike Killeen’s Latest Album “Ghost” Receives Rave Reviews

Ghost, Mike Killeen, 2019
Ghost, Mike Killeen, 2019

May 2019 marked the release of Mike Killeen’s fifth studio album, GhostProduced by three-time Grammy-nominated drummer, Ken Coomer (Wilco/Uncle Tupelo) in his Cartoon Moon Studios in Nashville, the nine-song album has received praise and kudos from music reviewers. Jeff Clark’s Stomp and Stammer remarked that this album served to showcase Killeen’s smooth vocals with a rootsy rock vibe. In a song by song review, Atlanta Music Grapevine extolled the virtues of the album’s musical structure and integrity. “It is not necessary to know much about Mike or already be invested in his music to immediately take a shine to this record. The song structure philosophy Mike and Ken chose — serving each song over soloing and pushing melody over unnecessary adornment — still has a focus on sonic depth, with interesting layers in every song. The overall effect is one of great balance, a cohesive mix, with music and words upfront rather than any detours focused on any one player. Across much of the album, there is a gentle wash of delay, reverb, and tremolo, giving it an atmospheric, ethereal quality and vocals that feel both big yet intimate.”

Chicago Crowd Surfer may have summed Ghost up best as a “luminescent record.”

Killeen is on tour and writing new songs. Tour schedule can be found at MikeKilleen.com. The Ghost album, in CD and vinyl can be purchased at Saturn 5 Record’s online store or on your favorite music platform.

Paste Studio with Kristen Englenz and Blind Boys of Alabama

Englenz Featured on Paste Live Studio Sessions Joined by Blind Boys of Alabama for Live Rendition of “Pray For Rain”

Paste Studios Atlanta was the site for the first live performance of Kristen Englenz’s new single, “Pray For Rain” featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama. Englenz started the three-song set with “Got Me With Goodbye” the first single released from her upcoming debut album, ingénue. A slapping version of the soon-to-be-released single, “Rebound” followed. Englenz was joined by band members Colin Agnew on drums, Robbie Handley on bass and Trevor Woodward on electric. Paste’s Andy Coombs conducted between-song interviews with Englenz. A surprise visit by guests Blind Boys of Alabama ended the set with a soulful “Pray For Rain” live rendition. The entire 18-minute interview can be seen here. Each song has been placed on Daytrotter and can be viewed here.  If you are a fan (and how could you not be!) here is the full 18-minute session. Less time than it takes to get a Popeye Chicken Sandwich.

Listen to the Paste Podcast featuring the 10 best albums of 2019.