by Donald Rumpert
A cavalcade of performances with beauty, familiarity and now with Gregg Allman’s recent passing, it takes on an even deeper meaning. Luckily for us, its a moment in time was captured to be relished even with its human blemishes, it still is beautiful.
A venerable “Who’s Who” adorns this tribute celebration. A celebration of the music of Mavis Staples, well at least made famous by Mavis Staples, as a master interpreter of tunes written by others, and by natural extension The Staples Singers, in a CD/DVD presentation from a concert held in Mavis’ home town of Chicago on November 19, 2014, to celebrate her 75th birthday. The ever busy, Don Was led the ten-piece band with three of the McCrary Sisters, who offered show stopping background vocals, with some of the tracks played by Mavis’ own five-piece band, including guitarist Rick Holstrom on guitar who was featured in both bands on some of the cuts.
In recent years Staples has been recognized by the Americana genre through her work with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, who produced two of her albums and wrote several tracks. Representing on this album are Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin, Ryan Bingham, and Emmylou Harris and in the blues vein, iconic figures such as Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Gregg Allman, Otis Clay (DVD only), Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville, and Michael McDonald add to the performances. The younger gen set also gets their due represented by Widespread Panic and Grace Potter.
The tracks run a gamut of tastes and eras. From the generally recent material of Nick Lowe penned “Far Celestial Shore” to the classic era of the Staple Singers “Freedom Highway,” to a Widespread Panic’s energy driven version of “Hope in a Hopeless World.” Treats also include the entire cast of characters all-hands on deck tune “The Weight,” originally sung by the Staples in 1968.
Other highlights include “Turn Me Around” with Bonnie Raitt and “Slippery People,” performed with Mavis by Arcade Fire’s Win Butler and Regine Chassagne, fashioned by David Byrne of The Talking Heads.
Though “A-typical” of all-star tributes that feature multi-generational acts, the DVD is a nice tribute to such an enduring blues and soul icon, which includes heartfelt homages from the appearing artists on what makes Mavis so special to them.
One does question about the exclusion of anything from either of Staples’ two Prince produced albums, one wonders, with his estate still in flux, if it was an omission or due to legal issues. Either way; what was delightful to see was the smile on Staples face, as she was enjoying and rejoicing in the festivities from her seat in the audience, to only then join the tributors on stage, for the last half hour, making this truly a birthday celebration to remember.
Guests include: Eric Church, Taj Mahal, Michael McDonald, Win Butler & Regine Chassagne, Ryan Bingham, Widespread Panic, Bonnie Raitt, Gregg Allman, Keb Mo, Aaron Neville, Grace Potter, Jeff Tweedy, Glen Hansard, Otis Clay, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Joan Osborne.
Track Listing: Disc: 1: Joan Osborne – You’re Driving Me; Keb’ Mo’ – Heavy Makes You Happy; Otis Clay – I Ain’t Raisin’ No Sand; Buddy Miller – Woke Up This Morning; Patty Griffin – Waiting For My Child To Come Home; Emmylou Harris – Far Celestial Shore; Michael McDonald – Freedom Highway; Glen Hansard – People Get Ready; Mavis & Aaron Neville – Respect Yourself; Widespread Panic – Hope In A Hopeless World; Ryan Bingham – If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me); Grace Potter – Grandma’s Hands; Eric Church – Eyes On The Prize.
Disc: 2: Taj Mahal – Wade In The Water; Gregg Allman – Have A Little Faith; Mavis & Bonnie Raitt – Turn Me Around; Gregg Allman, Taj Mahal, Aaron Neville, Bonnie Raitt, & Mavis Staples – Will The Circle Be Unbroken; Mavis, Win Butler & Régine Chassagne – Slippery People; Mavis & Jeff Tweedy – You Are Not Alone; Mavis Staples – I’ll Take You There; Mavis & everybody: Encore: The Weight.
Disc: 3: Joan Osborne – You’re Driving Me (To The Arms Of A Stranger); Keb’ Mo’ – Heavy Makes You Happy; Buddy Miller – Woke Up This Morning (with My Mind On Jesus); Patty Griffin – Waiting For My Child To Come Home; Emmylou Harris – Far Celestial Shore; Michael McDonald – Freedom Highway; Glen Hansard – People Get Ready; Mavis & Aaron Neville – Respect Yourself; Widespread Panic – Hope In A Hopeless World; Ryan Bingham – If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me); Grace Potter – Grandma’s Hands; Eric Church – Eyes On The Prize; Taj Mahal – Wade In The Water; Gregg Allman – Have A Little Faith; Mavis & Bonnie Raitt – Turn Me Around; Gregg Allman, Taj Mahal, Aaron Neville, Bonnie Raitt, & Mavis Staples – Will The Circle Be Unbroken; Mavis, Win Butler & Régine Chassagne – Slippery People; Mavis & Jeff Tweedy – You Are Not Alone; Mavis Staples – I’ll Take You There; Mavis & everybody: The Weight; Bonus track: Ryan Bingham, Grace Potter & Emmylou Harris – A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall; Otis Clay – I Ain’t Raisin’ No Sand
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