Soul Fixin'

Mavis Staples LiveA great live album is able to capture the spirit and soul of the performer and audience. A live album is a communion between the performer and audience. Aretha held her audience in the palm of her hands at the Fillmore West and the music of Curtis Mayfield came to life at The Bitter End In New York City. Soul shouter Mavis Staples unearthed the pain, joy, hope, and sorrow of the Civil Rights Movement at The Hideout in Chicago this past June. Most of the songs from the session were taken from her critically acclaimed album We'll Never Turn Back, an ode to the Civil Rights Movement. Staples, along with a three-piece band and a trio of background singers, opened with "For What It's Worth" and went through a bundle of songs akin to the turbulent Civil Rights Movement including "Eyes On The Prize," "Wade In The Water," "This Little Light of Mine," "Why Am I Treated So Bad?," "We Shall Not Be Moved" --to name a few. Mavis Staples Live: Hope At The Hideout, is set for release November 4th.

Video Soul

Mavis lets us know "A House Is Not A Home."

Soul Fixin'

Mavis Staples Records Live Album

69 year soul legend Mavis Staples, today happens to be her 69th birthday, recorded a live album back in June at Chicago's Hideout. Most of the songs from the session were taken from her critically acclaimed album We'll Never Turn Back, an ode to the Civil Rights Movement. Staples, along with a three-piece band and a trio of background singers, opened with "For What It's Worth" and went through a bundle of songs akin to the turbulent Civil Rights Movement including "Eyes On The Prize," "Wade In The Water," "This Little Light of Mine," "Why Am I Treated So Bad?," "We Shall Not Be Moved" --to name a few.

TimeOut Chicago writer Scott Smith summed up his thoughts on the live recording, "there are few living musicians who can lay claim to being America’s conscience, even fewer who continue to make vital music. On Monday night at The Hideout, Mavis Staples proved she’s still capable of both. But far more than merely being capable, the 69-year-old Staples showed she can light a fire, agitate for change or re-energize the American songbook."

The live album is expected to be available by Christmas.

Soul Fixin'

I Believe to My Soul
Released back in 2005 I Believe To My Soul is a great add to any music collection. Produced by Joe Henry, who worked with Solomon Burke on his 2002 Grammy winning album Don't Give Up On Me, I Believe To My Soul is a mix or soul classic and original songs. You can hear Mavis Staples singing "You Must Have That Old Time Religion" and The Impressions classic "Keep On Pushing." Ann Peebles, known for her classic "I Can't Stand The Rain", lets loose on the tracks "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" and "When The Candle Burns Low." Billy Preston, Irma Thomas, and Allen Toussaint lend their voices to the project. I believe you should go get it...nuff said.

Soul Fixin'

Still Going Strong
Soul legend Mavis Staples is still doing her thing. She is currently touring overseas..New Zealand, Australia, The Netherlands, England, France..getting PAID. I wish America appreciated older soul singers the way Europeans do. In a recent interview with The Age, a leading Melbourne, Australia newspaper, Mavis said "Dr King brought us a long way...but there is so much more that needs to be done... because every day in the paper I see something that reminds me of the trouble in the '60s. Hurricane Katrina was so horrible, seeing these people floating in the black water, and no one coming to help them... policemen in New York just shot a young black kid...with 50 rounds..." Mavis ain't lying..we still got work to do. She also spoke of the upcoming election "I'm very excited, because I like Hillary too. People seem to admire and love Obama. He seems to be sincere and a purist. But I won't vote for him just because he's a black man. He has to convince me that he's really going to do what he says. But still, I think of how happy Dr King would be." MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD AND VOTE IN NOVEMBER...I know that sounds corny and cheesy but please vote, people DIED for us to vote...I know that sounds so cliche but it's the truth...bottom line..get ya a** up and vote..you ain't got sh*t else to do.