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Mavis Staples show at the Cedar Cultural Center Thanksgiving weekend 11/28/10

Posted at 11:55 PM on February 7, 2011 by Bill DeVille (1 Comments)

Mavis Staples rolled into the Twin Cities to wrap up Thanksgiving weekend with a show at the Cedar on a Sunday night. What a treat it was to see an American treasure like Mavis! She is 71 years of age and still in amazing voice. She brought along her sister Yvonne, and 2 other background vocalists, and a band that included smokin' hot blues guitarist Rick Holmstrom.

This show was a little different than the Staple Singers show I had caught at the short-lived Apple River Blues Festival I saw back in the mid-nineties. There were about 50 attendee's at that show, including staff. It was so sad that nobody was there to witness this legendary family band, which had a bushel basket of hits in the 60's and 70's. Their music was always positive. You could say they were the "house band" of the civil rights era. The highlight of that show, for me, was shaking the hand of Pops Staples, Mavis Staples father, the patriarch of the family. Pops passed away a few years after that show.

Mavis has been carrying on since the loss of her father. Releasing several albums along the way, including, We'll Never Turn Back, and her recent, Jeff Tweedy produced, You Are Not Alone.

On this night at the Cedar, Mavis brought the house down on her opener, an old gospel number called, "Wonderful Savior," sung a capella. She was charming, funny, and in outstanding voice, sounding some 20 years younger than 71 years. It was also fantastic to see a full house of all ages for the show. It was an amazing night! Good vibes were everywhere. She performed another civil rights era tune called, "Freedom Highway" recalling the struggles for equality during those difficult times. Other highlights included the title song to her latest album, "You Are Not Alone," she showed amazing restraint on this one, showing a gentler voice. She also delivered on, "I'll Take You There," one of the Staples Singers gigantic hits. My personal highlight and one of this nights most moving moments was her reading of the Band's, "The Weight," which the Staples Singers performed for The Band's Last Waltz concert film and album. This song alone was worth the price of admission. It's such a brilliantly written Robbie Robertson song. Add the beautiful, big, and soulful voice of Mavis Staples, it simply takes it to a whole new place.

We'll see you next time, Mavis!

Comments (1)

Hey Bill I made sure & voted the Mavis concert on Thanksgiving weekend as concert of the year on the current 89 countdown & you absolutely backed my judgement up with your review!! I could not figure out why this concert was NOT in the top 5 0r 10-I also believe Gorillaz at Target Center was at the very top- so it shows how extra special & cool that the Current plays Mavis & Gorrillaz all the time- if it's great music the Current is all about IT! & we DON'T take you guys for granted!!

Posted by M.J. | February 8, 2011 2:03 PM

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