In 1994 Sounds of Blackness got their global breakthrough when they sang with Daryl Hall, the World Cup Theme song, Gloryland, in Giants Stadium in New Jersey.  The Irish football team was playing that night and won. This gave me my cue to do for The Irish Times an interview with Gary Hines, leader of Sounds of Blackness. I loved their latest album, Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum, and the uplifting nature of their music, so the chance to talk with Gary, even over the phone was, well, heaven, to me! But the real blessing came at the end of the interview on a personal level when we had the following exchange. Hines said it could be "on-the-record or off-the-record" but I choose never to use it, until now. What Gary Hyne said to me was one of the finest compliments I had ever received as an interviewer. 

 

Joe Jackson:  I really enjoy talking with you.

Gary Hines: The feeling is mutual. I have done literally thousands of interviews over the past three years with the three albums and this is the most astute  – You get it, I guess, is the point.  That can be off-the-record on-the-record. I'm just telling you that, man-to-man. I can't tell you how impressed I am with your insight, into – Well, your insight, period.

J: Thank you very much. I owe it to a black family in New York who saved me about eighteen years ago when I was down and out.

G: I hear you, man.

J: They became my buddies and I'll play (pay) it back forever, OK?

G: It’s all about just people, isn’t it

J: Isn’t it just?  

 

Amen to that.