Mavis Staples is one of the biggest black US singers, Levon Helm was one of the most important folk rock musicians. An album is now reminiscent of their joint live performance from 2011.
It’s hard to believe when you see her in public – but Mavis Staples will actually be 83 years old in July. A (slightly early) birthday present for the great lady of soul, gospel and blues is just the thing.
“Carry Me Home,” while not featuring any new recordings of the Grammy-winning singer with the mighty voice, is a fitting tribute to this African-American civil rights icon.
The twelve pieces reflect a special moment. Because Staples, whose career began in the 1950s with the spiritual family band The Staple Singers, performed in the summer of 2011 with Levon Helm, the band’s former drummer. For Helm, it was to be one of the last recordings before his death – he died in New York in April 2012 at the age of 71.
Full fat sound from the wooden barn
The two artists, who are already elderly, came together “in love and joy, to trace their common roots and to celebrate the enduring power of faith and music,” writes the Anti label about the Americana summit meeting in Helm’s rustic studios in Woodstock near New York. “It never occurred to me that this could be the last time we see each other,” Staples says of her partner. “He was so full of life this week and so happy.”
The set list included songs made famous by Nina Simone, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. A top-notch band, background choir, horns and, of course, master drummer Helm made for a full-fat sound in the wooden barn, on which Staples was able to spread her mature, rough vocals. At the end, the two seniors celebrated The Band’s legendary “The Weight”.
“And one fine day we will be together again,” says the deeply religious singer about a reunion with her musician friend. But please not too soon, a fan of Mavis Staples will think. Incidentally, in June she will be performing live in Europe (unfortunately not in Germany) – together with Levon Helm’s daughter Amy (51).
