One of the joys of blogging has been the chance to celebrate older artists like Mavis Staples who are still out here, in their 80s, singing and spreading the good word of peace, love and understanding. On her new album ‘Sad & Beautiful World’ she brings together a collection of songs which she says are ‘part of me and what I’ve been singing about my whole life.’
This time produced by Brad Cook and he continues in the tradition of her last few albums, letting her voice shine while keeping the production raw and vital. Opener Chicago shows she’s still got a gutsy delivery that can light up a room while also bringing a rockier edge.
I’ve always been a huge Kevin Morby fan so it’s wonderful that Mavis has chosen to sing his song Beautiful Strangers. Mavis takes the song and sings it with restraint and understatement that speaks volumes. There’s a political and spiritual undertone to the song which reminds us to carry her voice and message forward into the future.
Kevin has said that hearing Mavis sing ‘Beautiful Strangers’ is ‘hands down the greatest moment and highest honour of my career.’ It’s lovely to hear such appreciation for a legend like Mavis. This one has now been nominated for Best American Roots Performance at the upcoming Grammys.
The Sparklehorse cover is a perfect title track for this album. Mavis sings it with such wisdom and weariness that you can’t help but tear up.
The only original song on the album is Human Mind, which was written for Mavis by Allison Russell and Hozier. They have done a brilliant job of giving Mavis a song that tells us the state of the world and gives us all hope in the line ‘you’ll find good in it sometimes.’
On her recent tour Gillian Welch was selling t-shirts with the classic lyric ‘Hard Times Ain’t Gonna Rule My Mind’ and it’s a statement that still resonates deeply. Mavis turns the song into a soulful moment of strength.
Mavis sings ‘We Got to Have Peace’ in a way that never feels heavy. She brings a sense of gravitas to the classic Cohen song ‘Anthem’, and you can never be told too many times to appreciate the light. The final track on the album perfectly conveys the sentiment of the whole album. ‘Everybody Needs Love’ is an old soul song, covered before by Drive By Truckers, and sung her by Mavis and a cast of friends who make this one feel like an epic celebration of what music can do: bring us together and help us to get through.
The cover of the album has Mavis, sitting in the corner of a room, her hands together in what looks like contemplation, or prayer. This collection of songs shows that she is a singer who puts her whole life into the songs. This sad and beautiful world is a better place with such wonderful things as Mavis, and this album, in it.
BUY: https://mavisstaples.bandcamp.com/album/sad-and-beautiful-world
Highway Queens 
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