Mavis Staples is Chicago’s Queen of gospel soul and she’s not giving up her crown any time soon. The living legend opened to a full house performing a one-off 90-minute set at The Gov channeling 1960s and 1970s America.
Possessing a mighty big voice for her small stature, Staples’ voice has changed but definitely not weakened. Her iconic deep-alto voice and vivacious personality are proof enough that’s she’s still got it!
Welcomed with whistles and cheers, Staples kicked off the night strong with flower-power Staples Singers classics like If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me) and For What It’s Worth.
Surrounded by band members, who are just as significant as Staples, were guitarist Rick Holdmstorm, drummer Stephen Hodges, bassist Jeff Turmes and charming back-up singers Vicki Randale and Deacon Donny Gerrard.
Looking elegant in an all-black ensemble, Staples hit some high notes with Only the Lord Knows, Respect Yourself, Can You Get To That and Holy Ghost. Throughout her performance she showered her audience with positive affirmations in return for an “Oh, yeah” and “Amen”. Her charismatic personality and smokey vocals are commanding yet playful. Halfway through the set, reminiscing her father, Staples performed the energetic civil-rights anthem Freedom Highway while she noted, “He wrote it for the big march–the one from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. I was there! And I’m still here.” (Cue: Ecstatic audience).
Waving at the crowd, Staples exited the stage for an intermission during which brilliant blues guitarist Holsmtrom led Turmes and Hodges in a rhythmic jam, followed by the flirtatious duet of Lets Do It Again by Staples and Gerrard. Through it all, Staples remained gracefully elegant; strong yet girlish and shy.
For the encore, the show came to a close with the much awaited I’ll Take You There that had the crowding grooving and raising their glasses to a toast.
At 75-years of age, Mavis Staples exhibits a fiery gusto keeping the gospel-meets-soul genre alive. Matter of fact, there are no words that could do justice to her legendary brilliance. There’s some kind of spiritual healing in her voice and her unbreakable spirit ignites an awakening within you.
Take me there Mavis… take me there!
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