Mavis Staples has had a career like few others. She began singing professionally more than 60 years ago with her work with her family band, The Staples Singers, led by her father Pops Staples. The Staples Singers began singing in churches and for community events but by the time Mavis was out of high school they had graduated to a hit producing band and national touring act. By the 1960's The Staples Singers' were at the forefront of the civil rights movement.
Mavis Staples' latest work involved the unlikely collaboration between her and fellow Chicago resident Jeff Tweedy. Jeff is known as the front man for indie rockers Wilco. Together Jeff and Mavis produced the Grammy winning CD, You Are Not Alone. This collaboration led to a new interest in Mavis' career and introduced her to a new generation of fans and a tour that followed the release of the album brought her to festivals like Coachella where she was greeted by a new crop of Staples fans.
CBC Radio 2 caught up with Mavis Staples at Koerner Hall in Toronto where she performed with a blues trio of bass, drums and guitars and was backed by a singing group that included Vicki Randle, Donny Gerrard and Yvonne Staples.
performers
Mavis Staples vocals
Donny Gerrard backing vocals
Stephen Hodges drums
Rick Holmstrom guitar
Jeff Turmes bass
Vicki Randle backing vocals
Yvonne Staples backing vocals
production credits
Ron Skinner Producer
Ron Skinner Recording Engineer
Nick Bonin Assistant Recording Engineer
Link
1 comment:
This is an mp3. Do you have this in a lossless version?
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