7 March 2008
The Staple Singers
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For almost fifty years the Staple Singers were God's greatest hitmakers. Raised in the Mississippi Delta, the family led by their father Roebuck 'Pops' Staples joined the Great Migration to Chicago and in the late 1940s began performing gospel music in local churches. Pops and his children - daughters Cleotha, Yvonne and Mavis, and son Pervis - landed a record deal in the early 50s and cut their first hit single in 1956, 'Uncloudy Day'. The song showcased the family's strengths - Southern gospel quartet harmonies, Pop's reverbed Delta-blues guitar playing and Mavis' rich contralto voice. We'll hear the first family of gospel, with some of their hits from the 1950s to the 1970s and up to today, including a track from Mavis Staples' latest album, We'll Never Turn Back.
After establishing themselves as a gospel force, the Staple Singers became active members of the Civil Rights movement in America during the 1960s, recording protest standards and their own classic 'Why (Am I Treated So Bad)'. Released in 1967 it marked a new direction for the group - gritty message-songs strongly influenced by southern soul music.
In the 1970s after moving to Stax Records the Staples recorded some of their biggest hits including 'Respect Yourself' in 1971 and a year later the #1 hit 'I'll Take You There'. Pops Staples died in 2000 and the band effectively ceased, but Mavis continues to perform and to record fine albums of gospel-inspired music, including 2007's stunning collection of Civil Rights era songs, 'We'll Never Turn Back'. Mavis Staples will be touring Australia in March 2008.
Further Information
The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers have been called "God's greatest hitmakers." Steeped in the music of the church, this singing family from Mississippi crossed into the pop mainstream without compromising their gospel roots. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
Mavis Staples Official Website
Mavis Staples was awarded the Americana Music Association's (AMA) "Spirit of Americana" Free Speech Award at the association's awards gala at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on November 1, 2007.
Mavis Staples - Biography
Handy website including a recent biography of Mavis, from her recent record company Anti-.
Mavis Staples - Australian and NZ Tour Dates
Music
CD title:
The Ultimate Staple Singers: A Family Affair
Track title:
Respect Yourself
Artist: The Staple Singers
Composer: Luther Ingam, Mack Rice
CD details: Kent CDKEN2 240
URL: http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Staple-Singers-Family-Affair/dp/B0002QPSW2
CD title:
Glory! It's the...
Track title:
Uncloudy Day
Artist: The Staple Singers
Composer: Alwood, Kinsey/ arr. Staples
CD details: Recall/Snapper SMDCD 431
URL: http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/the-staple-singers
CD title:
The Ultimate Staple Singers: A Family Affair
Track title:
Nobody's Fault But Mine
Artist: The Staple Singers
Composer: Trad. arr. Roebuck Staples
CD details: Kent CDKEN2 240
CD title:
The Ultimate Staple Singers: A Family Affair
Track title:
Why (Am I Treated So Bad)
Artist: The Staple Singers
Composer: Roebuck Staples
CD details: Kent CDKEN2 240
CD title:
Spirituals & Gospel
Track title:
Go Down, Moses
Artist: Mavis Staples and Lucky Peterson
Composer: trad.
CD details: Verve 533 562 2
URL: http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/artist/releases/default.aspx?pid=9706&aid=2838
CD title:
We'll Never Turn Back
Track title:
On My Way
Artist: Mavis Staples
Composer: Trad. arr. Ry Cooder and Mavis Staples
CD details: Anti- E86830 2
URL: http://www.anti.com/catalog/view/77/Well_Never_Turn_Back
Presenter
Geoff Wood
Producer
Geoff Wood
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