A major competitor of Motown serving up black music in the United States in the 1960s and early 1970s was STAX Records, which I wrote about extensively HERE.
One of the great groups on the label was The Staple Singers, “an American gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. Roebuck “Pops” Staples (1914–2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha (1934–2013), Pervis (b. 1935), Yvonne (b. 1936), and Mavis (b. 1939)… While the family surname is ‘Staples’, the group used the singular form for its name, ‘The Staple Singers’.”
They had appeared on other labels before joining STAX, releasing songs such as For What It’s Worth [LISTEN], a cover of the Buffalo Springfield hit, that went to #66 in 1967 on Epic Records.
LISTEN to:
When Will We Be Paid (1970 – a description of the song HERE)
Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha Na Boom Boom) (#27 in 1971)
Respect Yourself (#12 in 1971) – my favorite song of theirs
I’ll Take You There (#1 in 1972) – my second favorite
If You’re Ready (Come Go with Me) (#9 in 1973)
Let’s Do It Again (#1 in 1975) – their big hit on Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom label, after STAX’s demise
The Weight, with The Band, from the 1976 movie The Last Waltz
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
This century, Mavis Staples, who was the primary voice on so many of the group’s songs, has been putting out several well-received albums. The first one I picked up was 2007’s We’ll Never Turn Back. “Produced by roots rock and blues musician Ry Cooder, it is a concept album with lyrical themes relating to the African-American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Upon its release, We’ll Never Turn Back received positive reviews from most music critics. It was also named one of the best albums of 2007 by several music writers and publications.”
LISTEN to:
99 and 1/2
I’ll Be Rested
“During a December 20, 2008 appearance on National Public Radio’s news show ‘Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me,’ when Staples was asked about her past personal relationship with [Bob] Dylan, she admitted they ‘were good friends, yes indeed’ and that he had asked her father for her hand in marriage.” She ultimately said no, because the interracial relationship would have been too difficult back in that period.
Finally, LISTEN to a live version of Wrote a song for everyone, a tune from her 2010 album You Are Not Alone. That album was produced by Jeff Tweedy of the band Wilco.
Not that it matters, but, I bought both “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There” on iTunes because they were my favourite of their tracks. BUT, I liked “I’ll Take You There” more…
Love these lyrics:
If you don’t respect yourself
Ain’t nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na na na na
It is one of the best things in life if you can play music and sing together as a family. It must be great fun! Thanks for your post!
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team.
LOVED the selections!!!! This was such a great idea for this round (although truth be told, all your posts are so well done).
Thanks for the sounds and have a great week.
Love this sound. You really know music!
I’ll Take You There is a favorite of mine.
An Arkie’s Musings
Great music, – thank you Roger.
What a great sound.
Love this group and enjoyed listening to the music again.
Interesting about Bob Dylan too.
Wow! I’d never heard of them before. Great songs!
Leslie
abcw team
I love how you remind us of good music from the past. “I’ll Take You There” is my favorite of this group.
A staple, post for the letter. I have discovered through abc, you know your music, and it’s an eclectic mix.
“Respect Yourself” is one of my favorites too. Thanks for reminding us of these classic groups. Blessings!
Great write up and I love the shot. Takes me back for some reason.
Maybe I heard their songs, but don’t know the group.
So much great music, lyrics, and vocals. Mavis Staples is touring now – would LOVE to attend her show!
Way before my time but have heard a few of them which I still listen to occasionally. Have always been fond of old musics both English and Hindi
PhenoMenon, ABCW
I’ll Take You There! My all-time favorite Staple Singers single! 🙂
Not known widely in the UK but I did have a listen and they’re really very good…so much talent in the world and not enough time to listen..
I rather liked ‘I’ll take you there’.
will flash back to listen to some more,
Best wishes,
Di.x
I`ve never heard these songs before. But I was curious and I checked out a couple of your suggestions. They souns really good 🙂
Those gospel roots shine through. I like how Ry Cooder has given the 2007 album sort of Stax influence. Powerful songs.
I love singing families! Bob Dylan – I’ll go find a photo of him.
I listened to some of their songs on YouTube and couldn’t figure out why they sounded vaguely familiar, but not familiar enough. Then I noticed they were early 1970s. I don’t remember much from the early 70s.
Sigh.
Love their sound, though, Rog. Thanks for the introduction!
K