| Author | Message | ||
  Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 534 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Her new Cd got a vg review in NYDaily News today--gospel ish. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 402 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Oh man! I love some Miss Mavis Staples! Other singers had bigger voices and more range but nobody can phrase like Mavis! She's PURE SOUL. I had no idea that she had a new CD out. I'm glad to see that she's recording again. Do you have this CD Jimmy? Is it a Gospel album or is it "gospelish" R&B? Allmusic.com lists it as a R&B album but judging by the song titles it seems like a Christian CD. I also notice that this new album has been released on the Alligator label which is primarily known for Blues artists like Koko Taylor. Is the production Blues oriented or is it contemporary? Don't just leave me hangin' Jimmy! Please share more details.  | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 592 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.33.227.92 |
Didn't know she was still singing after working with Prince in the 90s...glad to see her back! | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 404 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
I just found this excellent article all about Mavis: http://www.suntimes.com/output /entertainment/sho-sunday-mavi s15.html She's sold me. I can't wait to hear the new album! | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 537 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Well Rod Jimmy Mack just got up and has some"where" to Run but he will do his best from memory and check article later--I got the impression that it was kind of gospel/pop-that combo kind of thing-like uplitfting songs that could go either way(like You Light Up My Life--has a gospel version of that been recorded?)-anyway I digress--the review was a rave and said it was her first album since a Christian one about 8 years ago--didnt mention the Prince one-I forget when was that one out?(Are Mavis and Aretha still on the outs? per Aretha cutting out big Mavis moment on Ree Ree's last gospel cd and Mavis saying so in print?) Need coffee to become my old Live Wire self. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 407 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Thanks Jimmy. I found a few reviews online (and the article I posted) and it looks as if this new album is Crossover Gospel. Basic R&B with uplifting and positive lyrics. I know Miss Staples primarily from her 60's and 70's material with The Staples Singers and by herself. The most recent thing I've heard by her is her 1991 remake of 'I'll Take You There' with Bebe & Cece Winans. Last year I read a review of her act and the writer suggested that Mavis has lost a lot vocally. I hope this isn't true. I've always thought that Mavis' strength as a singer was her unique phrasing so I'm not sure how she could lose that over the years? I had no idea that there were problems between Mavis & Aretha? Jimmy, are you referring to Aretha's 1988 gospel album "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism"? | ||
Linda Di. (linda_di_fsg) 4-Laureate Username: linda_di_fsg Post Number: 161 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.67.206.19 |
Two words for Marvis Staples = The Voice. | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 542 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Yes Rod I guess it was that album(tho for some reason I think it was more recent.) Mavis got upset at Aretha cause some of one vocal was cut out and Aretha upset cause Mavis said so in an article. As I recall the implication was Mavis blew the roof off the Church and Miss Aretha did not like the competition. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 410 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Thanks Jimmy. This is the first that I'm hearing about the Aretha and Mavis feud. I guess even legends like Aretha can get insecure sometimes. That's a shame. I've always figured that the two of them would be tighter than that since they've know each other since the 50's from the old Gospel circuit. I know that Mavis and the late Carolyn Franklin were really tight. Mavis co-wrote and produced a full album on herself with Carolyn in the early 80's. As far as I know "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" was the last Gospel LP that Aretha has released. Jimmy, you possibly heard about Mavis getting the shaft from Aretha (or her record label) years after the incident because Mavis waiting years to mention it in the press. Hopefully Aretha and Mavis have worked out their differences since then. Has anyone heard Mavis' early 90's, Prince produced album "The Voice"? I love Mavis to death but I don't care for Prince's production or writing skills at all! I've purposely dismissed and avoided the Mavis album for years because I'm not sure what he had her singing! LOL. What do you guys think of the album? | ||
Phil (phil) 4-Laureate Username: phil Post Number: 138 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 213.36.9.89 |
Rodman, I've never heard "The Voice", but I have Mavis' previous LP, "Time Waits For No One", also produced by Prince, associated with Al Bell, Homer Banks and Lester Snell, and it has a nice Memphis flavour. | ||
SDF (handsome) 6-Zenith Username: handsome Post Number: 430 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Hey Rod! In Aretha's book, she gives "her side" on what happened. Not dissing the Queen of Soul, it appears she does have some insecurities with some artists (Gladys Knight being another). At any rate, I love Mavis Staples too. I remember back in 1991, I met the entire Staples Singers because Pops & I were in this play at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago called "The Gospel at Colonus". Mavis is so sweet, she'll knock you over with a feather! You can't help but love her, and she'll make you laugh too! Handsome | ||
Soul-Brother (soulbrother) 4-Laureate Username: soulbrother Post Number: 129 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 84.135.157.169 |
Rod, Knowing your tastes..The Voice album is not for you..I got it as a present..a few listens..poor Mavis...such a waste..the overpowering production jarred these ears..and yours I bet! Regards Barry | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 134 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.15.168.53 |
Rodmann: I'm not a big fan of think Mavis' work with Prince, although I think both albums have good moments. If I had to choose one of the two, I'd probably go with THE VOICE. Of course, I don't think either of the above compares with her great solo work on the Stax/Volt label. Quite often, her song I HAVE LEARNED TO DO WITHOUT YOU is on my cd player. | ||
SDF (handsome) 6-Zenith Username: handsome Post Number: 435 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Reese, that is THE CUT! I have that 2-fer cd. Over the years Mavis voice & range has been affected because of her smoking (on the Cosby Show, when she was singing Wholy Holy for example). The same can be said for Dionne Warwick & Phyllis Hyman. Handsome | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 544 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.112.57 |
I wonder if Jean Terrell has smoked? | ||
SDF (handsome) 6-Zenith Username: handsome Post Number: 438 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
JimmyMack, I don't know, but her voice has defintely changed too. Handsome | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 417 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Barry, thanks for the warning about Mavis' Prince produced material. It sounds as if I was right. Reese, I'm sure that the Prince produced albums have their "moments" but I don't think that I have the patience to sit through all of the disasters to get to them. I appreciate Prince's interest in Mavis but he's incapable of letting an artist that he produces sound like themselves. Prince has a habit of making everyone he produces sound exactly like Prince and that's bad. Very bad! Many careers of female vocalists have been ruined after they've worked him. It's sad.  Reese and Handsome, I totally agree with you two about 'I Have Learned To Do Without You'! One of Mavis' best! That one should still be in her show today! Some of my other all-time favorite Mavis moments include The Staples remake of Olivia Newton-John's 'I Honestly Love You' (Mavis took this one to church!) and the little known, funky as a MF, Curtis Mayfield produced "A Piece Of The Action" movie soundtrack. Mavis tore up the songs 'Chocolate City', 'A Piece Of The Action' and 'Koochie, Koochie, Koochie' (shockingly suggestive lyrics for Mavis!) from that soundtrack. Warner Brothers dropped the ball on this one big time! Handsome I've got a few questions for you. What exactly was Aretha's "side of the story" regarding the Mavis situation? I skimmed through Aretha's book years ago at the library when it first came out but I never have read the whole thing all the way through. From what I did read it was easy to tell that she glossed over and cleaned up a lot of things about her life in her biography. I also was wondering if Pops Staples went ahead and made you an "honorary" Staple Singer after you shared the stage with him? LOL. You've sang with ALL the greats from The Staples to Patti LaBelle to The Emotions! LMAO. | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 553 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Is this true for Prince's work with Chaka as well? | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 421 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Jimmy, I've purposely steered clear of Chaka's work with Prince as well. She's one of the best Soul vocalists of all-time but a lot of her material is much too avant-garde for my tastes. I'm not sure why she insists on such weird material when she's best singing down home R&B and jazzy-soul ballads. Chaka's quirky tendencies mixed with Prince's goofy lyrics and electronic production must be Hell for even the most patient listener to sit through! I'll pass! | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 143 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.15.169.59 |
Chaka's album with Prince is actually pretty good. Once again, I'm not sure if its consistent. But it has some good tracks. And she doesn't seem to be overwhelmed by Prince. She's still very much Chaka on the album. | ||
SDF (handsome) 6-Zenith Username: handsome Post Number: 460 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Rodmann, so I take it you didn't like Chaka singing Prince's, "I Feel For You"? Handsome | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 431 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Thanks Reese. I did read a review of the Chaka/Prince album and it was very good. If I see it in a bargain bin somewhere I might pick it up. Handsome, 'I Feel For You' is actually one of the small handful of Prince songs that I do like. His original version is excellent! He didn't produce Chaka's remake but I do like it. How could anybody escape that song in the 1980's? LOL. | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 614 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.33.227.92 |
I have the very same CHAKA/PRINCE album and she is pretty much her on that album. HAIR is my favorite cut...always have been as I LOVE the bass line on the original w/Larry Graham. Rodmann...now I can't get I FEEL FOR YOU out of my head! LOL | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1959 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
LADY LADY LADY LADY M... LADY M... LADY M let me rock you, let me rock you LADY M. Let me rock you, that's all I wanna do. LADY M let me rock you, let me rock you LADY M. Let me rock you cause I feel for you..feel for you...feel for you.... LADY M...CHAKA KHANNNNNNNNNN! | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 434 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
LOL. What's up Lady! 'I Feel For You' is my jam! Chaka tore it up and I love it when the bass player got to cuttin' up on the end of Prince's version! The Pointer Sisters recorded a version before Chaka but it's pretty lackluster. | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 622 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.33.227.92 |
Juice...LOL Rodmann...that was my breakdance record! LOL | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 437 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Haha! Lady, you used to breakdance? | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 624 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.33.227.92 |
Oh yeah! Never did the headstand spin, though, but yeah my sister and I used to jam back in the day! And we chose that song because other records were done by men and we wanted to represent! | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 440 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Uh Oh! Lady, I had no idea that you were such a B-Girl! LOL. That's tight. | ||
Charise (mistrivia1) 5-Doyen Username: mistrivia1 Post Number: 399 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
Reese, the album Come To My House is a good one!! It is very much Chaka. I like Spoon, Hair, I Betcha, This Crazy Life Of Mine(even though it is about 1min long-LOL) she should have extended that little intro. | ||
Shawn1 (shawn1b) 4-Laureate Username: shawn1b Post Number: 139 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.30.14.44 |
I loved Mavis's album with Prince !I had a friend who was at the taping when Aretha and Mavis sang together said that Ree Ree was in full control and let out some squalls that Mavis could do nothing with .I heard Mavis when the Staple Singer in Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and she didn't sound good at all but that could have been from a cold are something I didn't know she smoked .Shawn | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 146 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 204.152.13.140 |
I picked up Mavis' new cd yesterday. I haven't listened to the whole thing yet, only the first five or six tracks. But so far, its very strong. Not one song I dislike. I hope Mavis follows up with some good tv spots, and concerts. I have yet to see her in person. Coincidentally, just this morning, my local paper gave the cd a very good review. | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 147 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 204.152.13.140 |
Re Aretha and Mavis on OH HAPPY DAY. In a 1994 VANITY FAIR article on Aretha, Mavis said that Aretha told her that the live version they recorded had something wrong with it. So they would have to re-record it in the studio. But she never let Mavis listen to the live track. When they got together in the studio, Mavis did some vocals that she said made the engineer's hair stand up. But after each take, Aretha would say "Take that out." At one point,even the engineer questioned whether Aretha wanted to erase a real good take. After a while, Mavis said she gave up. She figured that Aretha was being real compeititive with her. In Aretha's 1999 bio, she said that Mavis has a really heavy voice. For them to sound equal, she had to put Mavis just slightly below her in the mix. She also said she had no intention of playing Mavis down, although she didn't see the need to have Mavis louder than her on her own album. Aretha seemed to be hurt by Mavis' comments. She explained that she had been a real friend to Mavis, helping her out when she was discouraged, and feels true friends shouldn't diss each other to the media or otherwise. It should also be mentioned that the VANITY FAIR article in question was really an updated version of the infamous 1968 TIME profile on Aretha. It delved into areas that really didn't need to be mentioned. So I'm sure its probably an article that Aretha isn't too fond of. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 443 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Thanks for telling Aretha's side of the story Reese. Both Aretha and Mavis made some valid points. I'm thinking that it was just a minor misunderstanding that got blown up by a sleazy reporter looking to report a feud. No matter what really happened, I just hope that both women have been able to resolve their differences since that article. Reese, can you tell us a little more about Mavis' new CD? Has she lost anything vocally? What is the musical backing like? From the reviews I've read I can't tell if it's Folk, Blues or organic R&B. Whatever the musical backing is I'm excited that Mavis has something new on the market and I can't wait to get my hands on it! | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 148 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 204.152.13.140 |
Rodmann: The material seems to be inspirational, with some straight out gospel at times. One song that I really like pays tribute to Pops Staples. As far as the musical backing, I'd say its probably more organic R&B. Actually, it reminded me a bit of the backing on Cissy Houston's song GOD DON'T EVER CHANGE from her first House of Blues cd. Vocally, Mavis' voice is of course lower than it was in her heydey. Its much huskier, especially in its upper range. But she still sounds good. If anything, the reduced range gives her the chance show just how good she is at phrasing. I gather that's why she receives so many guest spots on recordings. In the past few years, she's done tracks on albums by Dr. John, the Five Blind Boys, and Bob Dylan. Currently, she's guesting on tribute albums for Johnny Paycheck and Stephen Foster. And to be honest, the huskiness in Mavis' voice doesn't bother me at all. It seems more pronounced when she sings her old hits because she tends to do them in the original key. So at times it almost seems as if she's struggling. But when she tackles more recent material, she can still turn it out. Case in point: her recent performance at the Democratic Convention. Or even better, back in 1993, she performed OH HOLY NIGHT on all of all things, the Jerry Springer show. By the time she was through, I was literally crying from the beauty of her performance. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 450 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Thanks Reese. Based on my favorite tunes by Mavis I've never thought that she had a lot of range. Her strength IMO has always been her extremely unique phrasing and adlibbing so like you I don't mind at all if she's a little huskier as she was before. I'm completely sold on this new CD. Thanks for giving me an idea of what it sounds like. If I keep hearing about and buying all of these great CD's I'll be in the poorhouse in no time! LOL. | ||
norman fidel (normanfidel) 1-Arriviste Username: normanfidel Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 172.170.218.114 |
Wow, I've read most of the comments here about Mavis Staples and her recorded output with Prince. I'm shocked that most of you don't love this cd. It is one of my prized possessions, and I have many. Prince and Mavis Staples together was exactly what she needed to re-shape and rebuild her career in the late 1980's-early 90's. That entire album rocks, especially the title cut, "The Voice,"(ever seen the video?) and "Get Your House In Order." "You Will Be Moved" is another one of my favorites, very gospel sounding. I don't think it sounds like a Prince album at all. You must remember that if Mavis didn't want to do the album, she wouldn't have. At the time, she was honored that he would want to produce HER. I was really saddened that the public didn't go for this album. It should have been a major hit. I also loved the album that Chaka Khan did with Prince, "Come To My House". Unlike Mavis' album on which I loved most everything, there are only about 3 tracks I'm super crazy about on Chaka's, like the danceable "Pop My Clutch". The best tracks on this cd are "Spoon" and "Betcha I", but the other songs have merit too. The catchy, "I'll Never Be Another Fool" stays in your head long after you've listened to it. I haven't always cared for her productions with Prince over the years like, "Sticky Wicked," but I thought this colloboration was clearly a good one. I hope they work together again in the future. | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 151 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.15.168.234 |
I just picked up the new dvd/cd combo of the film SOUL TO SOUL. The film stars the Staple Singers, among others. Unfortunately, neither the cd or dvd is complete. For whatever reason, Roberta Flack'ssegments are not included. Since I've seen the film many times, I decided to listen to it with the commentary track by Mavis. Its interesting to hear her recollections almost forty years later. She also tells a cute story about how a man offered Pops 11 cows for Mavis' hand in marriage. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 467 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
I've got a copy of "Soul To Soul" as well Reese. I don't really care for the songs The Staple Singers sang that made it into the final film but their singing is excellent. Mavis really "took 'em to church" as usual! LOL. One thing that surprised me about "Soul To Soul" is how soulful Tina Turner was back then. Now, I'm a huge fan of Ike & Tina's 60's recordings and I have A LOT of their music in my collection but every now and then I have to be reminded that once upon a time Tina Turner was a SOUL SISTER with a capitol S! It was funny seeing Ike & Tina in the same lineup with people like The Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett and Roberta Flack, artists who it seems are held in much higher esteem with Soul purists. In her prime Tina could definitely hold her own with any one of them! In fact Ike & Tina and the Ikettes walked away with that whole concert IMO. Those girls could SANG and Ike kept that band tight! It's a shame that sometime during the 70's Tina felt that she had to switch to Rock & Roll and abandon her R&B roots to "crossover". I don't mind the fact that she wanted to make music that would appeal to more people but I just wish that she would've attempted to bring her original audience along for the ride. | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 156 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.15.168.241 |
Rodmann: Mavis certainly does go to church on ARE YOU SURE, the second song they performed in the film. But the version in the movie seems to be edited. You should try to get the version they did on the Buddah album RECORDED LIVE AT NEWPORT. On there, the song is stretched to almost nine minutes. They also perform YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME CRY. Other artists on the album include Aretha, Ray Charles, and Donny Hathaway. Re Tina: Watching Tina in the 60s and 70s is almost like watching a different person. And in a sense, she might be. Myself, although I prefer Tina's solo output, I do like some of the more soul- genre recordings she and Ike did, like those on Sue,Kent/Modern, and Pompeii. | ||
SDF (handsome) 6-Zenith Username: handsome Post Number: 489 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Reese, is this Buddah album you speak of avavilable on cd? What are the songs Aretha & Donny are doing on this set? Handsome | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 158 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.15.168.241 |
Handsome, I've never seen this album on cd. Aretha does A BRAND NEW ME. Donny does a song called VALDEZ, I believe. | ||
Shawn1 (shawn1b) 4-Laureate Username: shawn1b Post Number: 152 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.30.14.44 |
My favorite song from Mavis's cd produced by Prince is "Time Waits For No One".That song was awesome!Shawn | ||
SDF (handsome) 6-Zenith Username: handsome Post Number: 493 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Thanks Reese! As usual, you are a plethora of information :o) I appreciate it! Handsome | ||
Phil (phil) 4-Laureate Username: phil Post Number: 159 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 213.36.162.230 |
Reese, on Donny's latest CD, the second track is "Valdez in the country". Is it the same song ? And, can you give us the reference of the "Recorded live at Newport" LP ? Thanks in advance. | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 160 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.15.168.241 |
Phil: The album is called "RECORDED LIVE AT NEWPORT IN NEW YORK". It was released in 1974 on the Buddah label, catalog number 5616. Side 1: EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT - Ray Charles BRAND NEW ME - Aretha Franklin JUST A MAN - Ray Charles YOU GONNA MAKE ME CRY - The Staple Singers Side 2: SIGNED, SEALED,DELIVERED - Stevie Wonder VALDEZ IN THE COUNTRY - Donny Hathaway *AND THE LORD WILL HEAR - The Staple Singers *This song is actually called ARE YOU SURE. But it was mistitled on the album. | ||
Phil (phil) 4-Laureate Username: phil Post Number: 162 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 213.36.161.166 |
Thanks, Reese, I'll try to grab this one ! |
