Comments on: She’ll Take You There: Mavis Staples

by: Steve Pick

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 15:15:24 +0000

David,

It’s always great to see Mavis getting her props. I’m especially glad you focused attention on the amazing work she’s done lately dropping in on tribute albums and guest-starring with other artists. I thought her solo album a couple years back was a major disappointment, especially in contrast to the stuff she’s done at the same time. (I would also add the great singing she does on the Dr. John album of 2005, the name of which escapes me right now.)

One caveat, though. I think Mavis has lost a step or two compared to her youthful vocal range. Not that this is holding her back - she’s a smart enough singer to know how to compensate. I think that Irma Thomas, who is about her age, is probably the one singer who seems not to have lost anything as she’s grown older.

Tony Bennett is an unfair comparison, as he’s at least ten years older than she is, and, when I last saw him, about ten years ago, he was still capable of projecting without a microphone so I could hear him at the back end of a 4500 seat auditiorium.

by: Ed Ward

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 11:56:59 +0000

Let’s not forget the Freelancers’ National Anthem, although I guess it was the whole group who recorded it: “When Will We Be Paid (For the Work We’ve Done)?”

by: Barry

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:55:41 +0000

That needs to be done–although Mavis may have considred doing a meoir..In any csae, it’s a story hat needs to be detailed.. Do it. I’ll read it!

by: Charles

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:59:51 +0000

Beautiful stuff…maybe it’s time for a Staples-related entry at Shot of Rhythm.

Amazing that nobody’s written a book about them yet. I keep assuming Rob Bowman will, since he’s written their liner notes and such, but maybe we’re missing a golden opportunity…