Nobody's Fault But Mine

The Blind Boys Of Alabama with Mavis Staples performing "Nobody's Fault But Mine".

Time Waits For No One

A video for Mavis Staples' "Time Waits For No One", a song she co-wrote with Prince back in the 1980's.

Take Us Back

Mavis Staples performing "Take Us Back", a song from her new album.

Wade in the Water

Mavis Staples performing "Wade in the Water".

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Mavis Staples, Joan Osborne and Bonnie Raitt performing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".

Billy Sherrill (1936-2015)

A post to mark the passing last week of songwriter and record producer Billy Sherrill. Among other credits, he co-wrote "Stand By Your Man" with Tammy Wynette. He also produced "He Stopped Loving Her Today" for George Jones, and The Staple Singers album "Freedom Highway".

Great Day

The Staple Singers performing "Great Day".

I'll Take You There

Mavis Staples' performance of "I'll Take You There" at Glastonbury 2015.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Mavis Staples, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks performing "Will The Circle Be Unbroken".

My City of Ruins

From a Springsteen tribute concert, Zac Brown and Mavis Staples performing "My City of Ruins".

Tribute To Pops Staples

A tribute video for Pops Staples.

Sow Good Seeds

I can't find a live version of this song, so here is Mavis Staples' album recording of "Sow Good Seeds".

Mavis and Arcade Fire

Now that she has turned 75 and has a new knee, Mavis Staples is out performing with all the kids. Here she is performing the Rolling Stone's "The Last Time" with Arcade Fire. 



Actually the Rolling Stones based this song on a traditional song the Staple Singers performed earlier. Here is the recording of the song that the Staple Singers made over 50 years ago, when Mavis was just a young thing.

Bad Self Portraits

Too Much Fun. Mavis Staples and Lake Street Dive performing "Bad Self Portraits" at Newport.

Mavis Staples 75th Birthday

Mavis Staples performs "I'll Take You There" last night in London, on her 75th Birthday.

Unexpected Covers - Slippery People

This week I am going to post some unexpected covers, where one artist covers something that I would never expect them to do.

Here is the Staple Singers' cover of "Slippery People" and the Talking Head's original version. Despite the differences in these two groups, the arrangements are surprisingly similar.

The Legend of Sam Cooke

Today would have been Sam Cooke's 83rd birthday. Here is a six part playlists with a documentary, "The Legend of Sam Cooke". The film has a lot of great video of Cooke and other from the 50's and 60's, as well as more recent commentary from people who knew him.

Additionally, the second video has a great segment about The Staple Singers.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Two of my favorites, Mavis Staples and Susan Tedeschi, perform "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" along with Derek Trucks.

Sit Down Servant

The Staple Singers performing "Sit Down Servant".  Looks like 40 or 50 years ago.  I love to hear Mavis clap.

Mavis at the Party

Here are a couple videos of Mavis Staples at the Hideout Block Party on Friday night.  She has a new knee, but is still going strong.

"For What It's Worth"



"I Like the Things About Me"



"The Weight"



"Freedom's Highway"