it’s the 21st century, it feels like 1960 (it just won’t do)
Mavis Staples. Wow. What can you say about this amazing singer and her album, We’ll Never Turn Back? This is much more than an album of freedom songs…it’s yesterday. It’s today. It’s inspiration. It’s important. It’s truth. And it’s great music.
99 and 1/2
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Down In Mississippi
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Turn Me Around
[audio=http://www.box.net/shared/static/a820kzc4qo.mp3]
Jesus Is On The Main Line
[audio=http://www.box.net/shared/static/85qkrh2ohf.mp3]
My Own Eyes
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categories: music
posted by tandjam at 05:00 am
Wonderful songs. One area of progress that has made me very happy over the years is that of civil rights. I have many close black friends who are dearer to me than many of my relatives, and sometimes it hurts to see through their eyes and the eyes of their children. So you are correct in saying that it’s today, it’s important and it’s truth.
Thanks for bringing this here. Powerful, powerful stuff. I recognized Ms. Staples, but went to her web site to learn more, what an incredible career!
I’ve been lurking and hesitating to post, but I have to come in now. I just saw Mavis Staples a few weeks ago, with Charlie Musselwhite and the North Mississippi Allstars and they were just astonishing. If you get a chance to catch this tour, go. Here are the cities and dates.
http://www.nmallstars.com/tour-dates-print.shtml
But on the topic of 1960 merging into the present, civil rights was as much a part of this concert as it probably would have been in the sixties — particularly in frequent references, both in songs and between-song banter, to New Orleans. One of the highlights for me was Mavis singing the old Staples Singers song Freedom Highway, backed by the NMA, who also recorded it a few years ago. I don’t think most of the audience knew the Allstars, and didn’t quite know what to make of guitars that sure didn’t sound like Pops Staples, but it was a great update, giving new life and spirit to an old song. You could tell the band was honored to be on stage with Mavis Staples, and she was drawing energy from her young band. I just loved that respect and shared purpose between generations.
To me the most memorable music cut from The Last Waltz-which was my inspiration for Rocking the Boat-was Mavis on “The Weight.” Some people have so much truth in their voice that all you can do is nod your head and realize that you have heard something perfect. I’d also put Keb Mo in this conversation to. I think Delbert and Taylor are in this league. Narrator voices like Ossie Davis and James Earl Jones are in this category too.
I purchased this cd several months ago and have almost worn it out. Everyone needs this in their collection. I love Mavis’ voice and the lyrics on these songs just fill my brain.