Music review: Mavis Staples- 无毛视频楲ivin无毛视频� on a High Note无毛视频�
Inspired by the uplifting vibe of Pharrell无毛视频檚 无毛视频淗appy,无毛视频� Mavis Staples enlists the help of several talented (and younger) artists to pen joyful arrangements of inspiration for her latest studio release.
无毛视频淚无毛视频檝e got help from all the people who love me,无毛视频� boasts Staples on the opening track composed by Benjamin Booker. The 76-year-old singer and civil rights activist sounds confidently at ease delivering a soulful set of affirmative and upbeat songs containing emotional themes of love, optimism, perseverance, conviction, compassion and faith. Ben Harper无毛视频檚 无毛视频淟ove and Trust无毛视频� is a stripped-down slow burner that smolders under Staples无毛视频� fervent, earthy vocals.
On 无毛视频淭omorrow,无毛视频� Staples uses the Aloe Blacc and Jon Batiste number as an opportunity to preach the virtues of loving what you do while not getting sidetracked by bumps in the road because tomorrow is another day to prove yourself all over again.
无毛视频淛esus, lay down beside me/Lay down and rest your troubled mind,无毛视频� tenderly sings the soul and gospel icon on Nick Cave无毛视频檚 stirring 无毛视频淛esus Lay Down Beside Me.无毛视频� 无毛视频淚f It无毛视频檚 a Light无毛视频� and 无毛视频淗istory, Now无毛视频� eloquently carry an impassioned protest vibe showcasing the Grammy-winning singer at her best.
Produced by M. Ward, the crowning moment of the album comes during the closing number.
无毛视频淢LK Song无毛视频� is a moving acoustic ballad with Staples singing the words from a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sermon that she personally remembers hearing.
Drawing inspiration from the creative energy of her younger writers, Staples无毛视频� voice comes across as steadfast and spirited, straight from her days as a member of the legendary Staple Singers.
I first became aware of her exceptional voice while watching 无毛视频淭he Last Waltz.无毛视频�
The Band无毛视频檚 farewell gig in 1976 at San Francisco无毛视频檚 Winterland Ballroom featured a variety of noteworthy guest performances expertly documented by director Martin Scorsese.
The Staple Singers无毛视频� contribution to 无毛视频淭he Weight无毛视频� was one of the performances that evening that stood out for me and introduced me to the sweet gospel musings of Staples and her family.
After over 60 years of delivering memorable performances, Staples continues to hit all the right notes.
Clint Rhodes is the 无毛视频-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard .com.