Music review: Mavis Staples- 鈥楲ivin鈥� on a High Note鈥�
Inspired by the uplifting vibe of Pharrell鈥檚 鈥淗appy,鈥� Mavis Staples enlists the help of several talented (and younger) artists to pen joyful arrangements of inspiration for her latest studio release.
鈥淚鈥檝e got help from all the people who love me,鈥� 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鈥檚 鈥淟ove and Trust鈥� is a stripped-down slow burner that smolders under Staples鈥� fervent, earthy vocals.
On 鈥淭omorrow,鈥� 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.
鈥淛esus, lay down beside me/Lay down and rest your troubled mind,鈥� tenderly sings the soul and gospel icon on Nick Cave鈥檚 stirring 鈥淛esus Lay Down Beside Me.鈥� 鈥淚f It鈥檚 a Light鈥� and 鈥淗istory, Now鈥� 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.
鈥淢LK Song鈥� 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鈥� 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 鈥淭he Last Waltz.鈥�
The Band鈥檚 farewell gig in 1976 at San Francisco鈥檚 Winterland Ballroom featured a variety of noteworthy guest performances expertly documented by director Martin Scorsese.
The Staple Singers鈥� contribution to 鈥淭he Weight鈥� 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 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard .com.