When musical legends in their own right get together to record an album it doesn't always work - I'm looking at you Tom Jones and you Elton John.
However when you join Soul legend Mavis Staples and the Band's drummer and singer Levon Helm it is a partnership made in heaven. Given their respective backgrounds there are plenty of choices on the table - soul, gospel , blues and what our American cousins would call roots music
Carry Me Home is a 2022 album on the Anti- label with recordings of sessions at Helm's studio shortly before his death in 2021. What a terrific record to go out with.
Not surprisingly given the participants in was critically well received with Pitchfork calling it a jubilant lesson in living history and American Songwriter stating that it resonates in a meaningful and mighty way.
Mavis Staples is 83 and is still recording and touring. She was playing at the Usher Hall during last year's Edinburgh Bloggers Convention although I suspect that it would have been long sold out by the time we got there.Plus you can't have a good gab at a concert.
Any of the 12 songs on the album would be worthy of posting today but I think that is only fair to feature one from The Staple Singers and one from The Band.
Levon Helm and Mavis Staples -This May Be the Last Time
Levon Helm and Mavis Staples - The Weight
A couple of heavyweights today, CC. Looking forward to hearing what they are up to these days. Thanks. - Brian
ReplyDeleteThat's a tremendous version of The Weight
ReplyDeleteIt's just struck me that, in a just world and society, someone would be contacting you to ask if you wanted a regular slot on some digital radio station dedicated to music by and from 'the heavyweights', as Brian soe respectfully and accurately calls them. This blog is full of them!
ReplyDelete