The whole world is wondering: what's wrong with the United States?

November 10, 2016 8:23 AM

"We've come tonight to bring you some joy, some happiness, some inspiration, and some positive vibrations. We want to leave you enough to last you maybe the next six months." Eight years ago this month, soul/pop/gospel music legend Mavis Staples released a live recording titled Live: Hope at the Hideout. Recorded in Chicago's tiny Hideout Lounge, these thirteen songs of protest, hope, and defiance feature Mavis with a stripped down, raw and swampy three-piece band and just a handful of back-up singers. You can stream the entire album here (YT) and all things considered, you really should. [Alt link: stream from her record label's site]
posted by DirtyOldTown (22 comments total)

This is the closest thing I could manage to giving everyone here a gift and a hug.

Listen to Mavis and she will restore your faith that the good do not suffer alone, the evil cannot stand for long, and that as long as we keep fighting, right will prevail.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:50 AM on November 10, 2016 [21 favorites]

This is terrific, thank you.
posted by desuetude at 8:55 AM on November 10, 2016

God I love Mavis. This is one of my all-time favourite Mavis collaborations.
posted by terretu at 9:02 AM on November 10, 2016 [3 favorites]

Mavis is a treasure.

Her newest album, released this year, had a different artist help write each song. They include: M. Ward, Nick Cave, Justin Vernon, tUnE-yArds, Neko Case, and Aloe Blacc.

How fun it must be for Mavis to enlist all of these younger, hipper, artists to help; and how fun must it be for the younger artists to work with such a legend.
posted by matrixclown at 9:03 AM on November 10, 2016 [4 favorites]

Thank you.
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:27 AM on November 10, 2016

I was listening to the early gospel Staples Singers stuff yesterday actually:
I'm Coming Home
This May be the Last Time
It felt I was listening to America's funeral.
posted by kersplunk at 9:49 AM on November 10, 2016

geoblocked, is there a non geoblocked link
posted by PinkMoose at 10:00 AM on November 10, 2016

I am not a hugger, but I would take a hug from Mavis Staples. Anyday.

(PS: Thankyouthankyouthankyou.)
posted by DigDoug at 10:04 AM on November 10, 2016 [1 favorite]

PinkMoose, try the streams on her record label's site.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:04 AM on November 10, 2016 [4 favorites]

I didn't think that I'd live to see times when even Mavis wouldn't be enough.
posted by Sphinx at 10:05 AM on November 10, 2016

I would have loved to have seen this show. The Hideout is a Prohibition-era bar in an old house with an occupancy of maybe 75-100. Mavis in that room would be even more amazing.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:41 AM on November 10, 2016 [1 favorite]

Mavis is a national treasure, and I've been fortunate as a Memphian to see her play several times. Here's the Staples Singers doing "Respect Yourself" at Wattstax in 1972.
posted by vibrotronica at 11:00 AM on November 10, 2016 [3 favorites]

Thanks so much for sharing this. I have been listening to Lemonade and Hamilton while I'm working, and this is just what I need right now. She's so good.

YouTube also recommended this: Mavis Staples + Jeff Tweedy - "You Are Not Alone"
posted by apricot at 11:12 AM on November 10, 2016 [2 favorites]

Whoa, excellent. Many thanks, DirtyOldTown!
posted by carter at 11:33 AM on November 10, 2016

when she says before Eyes on the Prize that this album/evening will leave me feeling good for the next six months, does that mean if I listen to it 8 times on repeat it will get me through the drumpf presidency?

seriously though, thank you for posting this.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:24 PM on November 10, 2016 [2 favorites]

This is so amazing. Thank you.
posted by dnash at 1:37 PM on November 10, 2016

Mavis + Ry = somethin' serious!
posted by On the Corner at 12:27 AM on November 11, 2016 [1 favorite]

Mod note: Added the record label's stream as an alt link
posted by taz (staff) at 5:21 AM on November 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

Mavis is playing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Feb 17! We'll be in the third row. I figure it will be... cathartic.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:14 PM on November 14, 2016

FYI The streams on the record label's site give me (out here in Denmark anyhow) only c. 10 seconds of each. I assume the youtubes don't work because of geolocking.
posted by nat at 3:12 PM on November 15, 2016

Bummer. They used to play the entire song. I wondered if we personally borked that.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:44 AM on November 16, 2016

I wish I believed in Mavis's Lord.

But I do believe in Mavis.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:16 AM on November 16, 2016 [2 favorites]