The Staple Singers – Africa 80
I wasn’t an entirely fan of soul music back in the ’60s. I did have my share of hits by The Four Tops, The Temptations, Otis Redding & Aretha Franklin. So, a deeper dive wasn’t evident until 1978 while enjoying The Band’s Last Waltz concert. There were many big-name headliners with eye-catching performances.
But it was The Staple Singers that surprisingly impressed me that night. Their duet with Levon Helm on “The Weight” was musically exceptional. Mavis Staples’ vocal & inflection was stirring. The contrasts between the rural Arkansas boy Helm who had recorded the original was reinventing the classic with a legendary gospel-soul group who must have riveted the hearts of many.
And I was sold. They existed since 1953 & I was educated in 1978.
Pop Staples played guitar, wrote many songs & arranged them (Roebuck Staples arranged several of these live pieces) in a unique spiritual style that Duke Ellington called “gospel in a blues key.” This 9-track 1980 live set (sans the intro & reprise) is now available on The Staple Singers – Africa 80 (Drops May 10/Omnivore/Good Time/47:00). The reissue once again polished off brilliantly by producer Cheryl Pawelski.
The family included daughter Mavis who possessed a deep, raspy expressive voice that along with the harmony of her brother (Pervis – 1935-2021) & sisters Cleotha (1934-2013) & Yvonne (1936-2018) was compelling. They charted not only on the Gospel charts but the pop & R&B charts.
This set performed live in Africa is more commercially oriented (“Ease On Down The Road”). It shows how lively their diversification pours. They turn a mainstream number of relative simplicity into a soulful groove drenched in what only gospel-experienced singers can alight.
The show sounds exciting. There are no lulls & Mavis’ vocals & Pop smoke through each song with delicacy & power. Pop Staples’s (1914-2000) vocal is peacefully flexible with faithful projection — a wonderous warmth through the expertise of the respected showboating between his children’s harmonies & unified voices on Curtis Mayfield’s “Let’s Do It Again” & Mavis’ supernatural coda “Touch a Hand, Make a Friend.”
The impeccable arrangements musically & vocally are inherent to their signature style. On this night in Africa, they fired on all cylinders. Pop’s “Respect Yourself” — his phrasing & tone convey the confidence of a veteran singer who knows the ropes, the notes & adds magic. Coming up behind is Mavis – fiery, soulful & ensuring few could ever touch these voices in full blaze. A singing lesson by Mavis emerges through her phrasing. Lots of emotive timbre roars beautifully in the heavily groove-chiseled “Come Go With Me.” Highly recommended. Excellently recorded.
Highlights – “Ease On Down The Road,” “Let’s Do It Again,” “Respect Yourself,” “Come Go With Me,” “Why Am I Treated So Bad?” “He’s Alright” & “Touch a Hand, Make a Friend.”
The 6-panel CD package includes liner notes. CD @ Amazon & https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/africa-80/
