Not only a new live album, but a new live album recorded at The Union Chapel in London. Recorded earlier this year across two nights – one of which Americana-UK attended and was suitably impressed with (read the review here) – it captures Mavis Staples and her band in truly fine form in a venue which she describes as “the best place in the world to sing“. As well as many classic songs Mavis Staples is grateful for the new material that comes to her, saying “I’ve stretched out—I’m singing songs that rock stars have written for me, but they know me and the kind of songs I want to sing.”
She singles out the album’s opening song ‘Love and Trust‘ which was composed by Ben Harper. “I love that song, it’s a beauty,” she says. “I’ve been sending a message of love and trust since the Sixties, and I’m still searching for that.” Staples is well aware that her form of protest – pitched through a process of coming together and working one for another to make a better society – is as relevant as ever in the Trumpian-era. The track ‘No Time for Cryin’‘ not only connects the timeless gospel image of “motherless children” to the modern-day refugee crisis, it also calls for action, just as Pops Staples and his children did during the Civil Rights movement.
The album is called ‘Live in London‘ and is available early February 2019. Here’s the track list –
And whilst we’re waiting for that here’s ‘No time for cryin’ ‘ from the very gigs.
