Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples is a legendary American gospel, soul, and R&B singer born on July 10, 1939, best known as the lead vocalist of her family's group, the Staple Singers.
Mavis grew up in Chicago as the youngest of four siblings in a musical family led by her father, Roebuck "Pops" Staples. She began singing lead at age 10 in local churches, and the Staple Singers formed in the 1940s–1950s, debuting their first single in 1953.
The group signed with Vee-Jay in 1957, scoring hits like "Uncloudy Day," and later joined Stax Records in 1968, blending gospel with soul. They achieved massive success in the 1970s with #1 hits "I'll Take You There" and "Let's Do It Again," while supporting the Civil Rights Movement as friends of Martin Luther King Jr.
Staples launched her solo debut in 1969 and has released over 14 studio albums since, including collaborations with Prince in the 1980s–90s and later works with Jeff Tweedy like One True Vine (2013). Key albums include Grammy winners You Are Not Alone (2010) and features on We Are by Jon Batiste (2022 Album of the Year).
She has won three solo Grammys, a Lifetime Achievement Grammy with the Staple Singers, and halls of fame inductions including Rock & Roll (1999), Gospel Music (2018), and Blues. Other honors include a 2016 Kennedy Center Honor; her voice has influenced generations and been sampled by artists like Hozier and Run the Jewels.
Mavis Staples
Written-By – W. Hutchison 2:48
A2 Sweet Things You Do
Written-By – A. Isbell, B.T. Jones, E. Floyd 2:38
A3 The Choking Kind
Written-By – Harlan Howard 3:24
A4 You're Driving Me (To The Arms Of A Stranger)
Written-By – F. Briggs 3:23
A5 A House Is Not A Home
Written-By – Burt Bacharach-Hal David 4:27
B1 Security
Written-By – Otis Redding 2:47
B2 Son Of A Preacher Man
Written-By – J. Hurley, R. Wilkins 2:17
B3 Pick Up The Pieces
Written-By – D. Davies, F. Briggs, K. Barker 3:06
B4 Chained
Written-By – F. Wilson 2:50
B5 Good To Me
Written-By – J. Green, Otis Redding 3:15
B6 You Send Me
Written-By – L.C. Cook 2:56
Label: Volt – VOS 6007
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul
Mavis Staples' 1969 self-titled solo debut album was a critical success that showcased her powerful and experienced voice in a new soul context, moving beyond the gospel roots of The Staple Singers.
Cashbox magazine published a glowing review in June 1969, predicting the album's appeal could easily extend to the "underground/contemporary market".
Reviewers consistently praised Staples' "trained, experienced and powerful voice" and her ability as an "unparalleled interpreter of deep soul music".
The press almost unanimously praised the album, with some reviewers in later years even stating it was one of the best releases from the label it was on.
The album marked a deliberate shift for Mavis into a more mainstream soul sound, produced by Steve Cropper and featuring the Stax session band, including Booker T. & the M.G.s members like Donald "Duck" Dunn, at the Stax studios in Memphis.
The record is categorized as Southern Soul, an evolution from the delta-influenced gospel sound of her family group. Her performance was noted for its "sincerity and emotional sensitivity," delivering an intense, powerful sound that remained authentic to her gospel background while embracing the soul genre.
Despite strong critical praise, the album struggled commercially at the time of its release, largely due to a lack of defined radio format and airplay. However, the album helped re-establish her solo career trajectory and is now recognized as an artistic triumph, demonstrating her versatility and enduring vocal power that has influenced generations of artists.