Mavis Staples Recent News

MAVIS STAPLES LIVE: HOPE AT THE HIDEOUT TO BE RELEASED ON ELECTION DAY

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:08:00 -0700

50 Years Later, Mavis Still Hopeful for Change as her Life’s Work Moves from the Streets to the Polls

Mavis Staples, the first lady of resistance, is set to release Mavis Staples Live: Hope At The Hideout on November 4th of this year. Fitting that Mavis' record should come out the same day that one of the most momentous elections in U.S history will be decided, as her dedication to social justice and freedom spans over 40 years of modern history; first as lead singer of the Staples Singers, where her voice became the living soundtrack to the Civil Rights Movement , continuing through to 2007 when she won a Free Speech award created to honor artists that have incited discussion and worked against the status quo through their music and their actions.

With the election season kicking into high gear with the Democratic National Convention in Denver CO this week and the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis MN next, Mavis is releasing the first track off Hope At the Hideout today. Entitled "We Shall Not Be Moved," the song is a soulful rendition of a classic freedom song. While the song, which includes lines like "we’re fighting for our children / we shall not be moved," could be the theme song for either of the current political campaigns, Mavis puts it squarely into context during an instrumental break-down in the middle of the song. In the South in the 1960s, Mavis drawls, just trying to have a meal in a restaurant was in itself an act of civil disobedience, and when she and her fellow marchers would be forcibly ejected by the police, they sang "We Shall Not Be Moved." By the end of the song, we get a real sense of where this amazing figure has been, and how much we have to learn from her. "We Shall Not Be Moved" is available for streaming or download on the Anti label blog.

Mavis has deep roots in this election. She and Barack Obama attended the same church in their shared hometown of Chicago. Obama, the man Mavis has called "in a way, so much like Dr. King" -and she would know, for Mavis and her family worked side by side with Dr. King fighting for civil rights - will deliver his highly-anticipated speech to the DNC on Thursday, the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s famous "I Have A Dream" speech. Congressman John Lewis, who figured prominently in last night’s moving tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy, wrote the liner notes to Mavis’ last record We’ll Never Turn Back. But her connection goes deeper than personal relationships. In a year where "hope" and "change" are buzzwords of the day, Mavis Staples Live: Hope at the Hideout highlights how those two words are aspirations she has lived her life striving for.

MAVIS STAPLES TO RELEASE LIVE ALBUM

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:08:00 -0700

Recording of Staples' Acclaimed Show at Chicago's Hideout
In Stores Election Day

Truly great live albums are about capturing lightning in a bottle, that rare and perfect convergence of time, place and performance. When legendary soul/gospel artist Mavis Staples returned home to Chicago this last June for a performance at The Hideout, Chi-Town's renowned stronghold of alt country and purist rock and roll, it was undeniably such a moment.

Those who packed the sold-out club were blessed with a riveting musical statement as Staples, backed by her fiery three-piece band and three backup singers, put on a rousing musical tour de force. Fortunately, for those of us unable to be there in person, the show was recorded and the album, Mavis Staples Live: Hope at the Hideout, is set for release November 4th.

Acclaim for Staples' Hideout performance:

- "Anyone who was hearing this American treasure in concert for the first time learned precious lessons about where we have been and where we are today. Staples stood tall and shouted, ‘My mind is made up, my heart is fixed.' And she smiled. She was not alone.” - Chicago Sun Times

- "There are few living musicians who can lay claim to being America's conscience, even fewer who continue to make vital music. On Monday night at The Hideout, Mavis Staples proved she's still capable of both… Staples showed she can light a fire, agitate for change or re-energize the American songbook.” - Time Out Chicago

- "While performing a 14-song set that canvassed her 52-year career, Staples sang with a voice that has long distinguished her from the R&B greats of her era and those who reach for that crown today.” - Chicago Tribune

- "Staples' sold out performance at Chicago's Hideout last night brought the Civil Rights movement and all those souls who marched, sang and prayed during that critical time, to the crowded little room... The ghosts of the marchers stood among us, swaying, stamping, clapping.” - Popmatters

Track Listing for Mavis Staples Live: Hope at the Hideout:
1. For What It's Worth
2. Eyes on the Prize
3. Down in Mississippi
4. Wade in the Water
5. Waiting For My Child
6. This Little Light
7. Why Am I Treated So Bad
8. Freedom Highway
9. We Shall Not Be Moved
10. Circle Intro (encore)
11. Will The Circle Be Unbroken (encore)
12. On My Way (encore) -
13. I'll Take You There (encore)

Credits:
Recorded at The Hideout in Chicago, IL
Mavis Staples - vocals
Rick Holmstrom - guitar
Jeff Turmes - bass
Stephen Hodges - drums
Yvonne Staples - background vocals
Donny Gerrard - background vocals
Chavonne Morris - background vocals
Mixed by Rob Schnapf

GOSPEL/SOUL LEGEND MAVIS STAPLES GARNERS RAVE REVIEWS AT INTIMATE CLUB SHOW IN CHICAGO

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:06:00 -0700

On Monday June 23rd a lucky few Chicago denizens were treated to an intimate performance at the Hideout by the leading lady of protest, Mavis Staples. Accustomed to appearances at large venues, particularly in her hometown – the Windy City itself – Staples played with a stripped down, raw and swampy three-piece band and just a handful of back-up singers, providing a rare opportunity for fans to get close and sweaty with a figure who has led the musical charge towards equality and justice for the past five decades.

Kicking off her set with Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," Staples set the tone for the evening. Filled with righteous protest and joyful inspiration, Staples' song selections ranged from "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" -- what she described as the first song her father, gospel luminary Pops Staples, ever taught her -- to songs she sang in the 1960's marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, to her soul hit from the 70's "I'll Take You There."

The critics were floored:

"While performing a 14-song set that canvassed her 52-year career, Staples sang with a voice that has long distinguished her from the R&B greats of her era and those who reach for that crown today." –Mark Guarino, Chicago Tribune

"Anyone who was hearing this American treasure in concert for the first time learned precious lessons about where we have been and where we are today. After dealing "Freedom Highway" Staples stood tall and shouted, "My mind is made up, my heart is fixed." And she smiled. She was not alone." – Dave Hoekstra, Chicago Sun Times

"There are few living musicians who can lay claim to being America's conscience, even fewer who continue to make vital music. On Monday night at The Hideout, Mavis Staples proved she's still capable of both. But far more than merely being capable, the 68-year-old Staples showed she can light a fire, agitate for change or re-energize the American songbook." – Scott Smith, Time Out Chicago

"While [We'll Never] Turn Back formed the bulk of her Hideout set, tracks like "Down In Mississippi" and "We Shall Not Be Moved" turned from angry into hopeful, catching a swift ride on the steam train of Staples' vibrato and reversing the sunset peeking through the windows." –Steve Forstneger, Illinois Entertainer

"The performance...brought the Civil Rights movement and all those souls who marched, sang and prayed during that critical time, to the crowded little room. A tiny venue for Staples' big voice - bigger than the legend herself, nearly as big as the History she sings for -– the Hideout was standing room only and filled with the reverential." - Karen Zarker, Popmatters

MAVIS STAPLES TO PERFORM INTIMATE HOMETOWN CLUB SHOW

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:06:00 -0700

Legendary Soul & Gospel Singer Rocks Chicago Hideout June 23rd.

The music of Mavis Staples comes straight from the source. Listen to any real rock 'n roll and you'll hear the church. The chugging hypnotic guitars, soaring vocals and relentless backbeat - The path is as undeniable as it is direct – from the legendary bluesmen Charlie Patton and Son House, to their younger neighbor and protégé Roebuck "Pops" Staples and directly to his gifted daughter.

Mavis Staples' voice is an inspiring blend of compassion and steadfast protest. It's the perfect soundtrack for the toughest of times – a defiant celebration in the face of reoccurring hardship and injustice. And Staples has been there in the thick of it, as a stirring musical accompaniment to the Civil Rights Movement. and later topping the charts amidst the upheaval of the late sixties and early seventies. So it's only fitting that in these uncertain times, the legendary lady is back and in serious fighting form.

Staples recently released the critically lauded new album on Anti-Records entitled We'll Never Turn Back – a potent mix of her classic civil rights Freedom Songs alongside some fiery new compositions co written with album producer, Ry Cooder.

Now backed by a stripped-down absolutely blistering three piece band, Staples has been out on the road flooring both diehard fans and an increasing number of young new converts with her electrifying live show.

As a lifelong fixture in Chicago's celebrated music scene, Mavis is accustomed to playing mostly theatres and festivals, but on June 23rd Mavis Staples will return home for a historic one night stand within the intimate confines of The Hideout, the windy city's beloved hub cutting edge music from country to soul to punk and beyond. It makes for a perfect union, the home of pure rock 'n roll hosting an artist who helped create the sound it celebrates. The end result is a once in a lifetime chance for music fans.

Mavis Staples
June 23rd @ The Hideout
1354 W. Wabansia
Chicago, IL
773.227.4433

Get advance tickets online at www.hideoutchicago.com or by calling 866-468-3401.