What does it sound like?:
Mavis Staples is a veteran civil rights protester, dating back to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her dad, Pops, and Martin Luther King. She was the stand-out performer of The Staples Singers, so much so that Bob Dylan fell in love with her because of her “deep and mysterious” voice. Now 72, it may have lost its top-end but retains its depth and mystery. This is her third album with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Their first, You Are Not Alone, won a Grammy. This time, he wrote all ten songs and Mavis contributed lyrics for three. Wisely, he plays to her strengths, every song having a social conscience in the context of America in 2017 and Black Lives Matter, speaking out against hatred, inequality and indifference.
The musical settings are simple and intimate, ideal for Mavis’s calm, determined delivery, the gospel-tinged backing from The Staples Sisters testifying to the veracity of the truths expressed. Jeff’s guitar, on the other hand, is played through clenched teeth, seething with rage. He adds the tension to the loaded gun opener, Little Bit, the jagged doubts in Who Told You That, the Velvet Underground impatience of No Time For Crying and the aggressive drive underlining Try Harder.
There is, of course, hope, as you’d expect in a Mavis Staples album. Peaceful Dream, a revisit of Martin Luther King’s central message, could be sung on a march to Washington. Build A Bridge’s falsetto backing vocals lift the spirits as much as the positive lyric. The duet with Jeff, Ain’t No Doubt About It, with its delicious melody, illustrates how two people can support each other through almost anything. The title track offers love and understanding as a solution, decorated by an exultant guitar solo.
The overall effect is of participating in a mature, sensible conversation with one of the world’s most dignified human beings. However, when someone with Mavis Staples experience and knowledge speaks, it’s sensible to listen.
In the finale, All Over Again, backed only by Jeff’s acoustic guitar and her trusty Sisters, she girds her loins and wearily prepares to take up the struggle again. She should be strengthened by this powerful little of gem of an album that displays her at her honest and compassionate best.
What does it all *mean*?
Jeff Tweedy has coaxed a spiritual, quietly defiant performance from Mavis that deserves more than just a Grammy.
Goes well with…
Ears that can hear.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
The truth.
Gospel, Soul and Indie Rock.
Tiggerlion says
Who Told You That
dai says
As a huge Tweedy fan you have convinced me to get this. Thanks
Tiggerlion says
He is brilliant on this album. Be warned, though, this is very definitely a Mavis Staples album. It isn’t the least bit Wilco-ised.
retropath2 says
I have the last 2 and, as stated, they are terrific. The Tweedy input is all in the production, subtly playing to the uber-gospel/soul of Ms Staples, with a cheeky glimpse of gee-tar poking thru’ from time to time. I hope this is as good. Tweedy ‘s guitar is different from and nearly as good as Mavis’ Dads
Baron Harkonnen says
I was convinced of this rekids quality by you Tiggs and then along comes retro to endorse the quality, I’m in. More than likely for the others also
Moose the Mooche says
Uhhh. I do disapprove, and have done these 30 years, or records where someone has clearly gone, “Don’t be frightened of these scary black people… here are some nice white rock artists with guitars to dilute the effect”.
See also John Lee Hooker’s The Healer etc.
I will always gravitate towards any Staples related product (including Stuart)
Sewer Robot says
.. and the centerfold of mucky mags, no doubt, ya filthy pup!
Since this album came out at exactly the same time as the last Sharon Jones release it’s inevitable they will be compared and everyone will have their own opinion on that.
One thing’s for sure though: hearing Mavis coming out swinging on these tracks is the perfect antidote to that bittersweet sting that catches you out at moments listening to the too-soon-departed Sharon’s opus..
Tiggerlion says
Jeff doesn’t dilute the effect with his guitar or his songwriting, he enhances it. The guitar on this record isn’t nice at all, quite the opposite. He provides a gritty foil to counter balance Mavis’s natural sweetness.
nigelthebald says
I’d add Ry to the roll of enhancers: