Posted on 01/19/2014 2:46:35 PM PST by nickcarraway
Today, the voices of Roebuck "Pops" Staples and his four children Cleotha, Mavis, Pervis and Yvonne are woven into America's DNA. As the Staple Singers, the family created a sound that was part blues, part gospel and part folk, breaking down musical walls and inspiring civil rights leaders.
Biographer Greg Kot wrote about the Staples family in his new book, I'll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, and the March Up Freedom's Highway. He says that unique sound began with Pops Staples and the musical apprenticeship he dreamed up for his offspring.
"He had a cheap guitar it only had four strings, it was like a secondhand, pawn shop guitar. But it was enough strings so that he could play a note and give each child their particular harmony part," Kot says. "There's something about being around people all your life, growing up with them, hearing them talk, hearing them sing off-key, hearing them yell at you. You know instantaneously where the phrase is going to drop, where the syllable is going to be, how certain words are going to be pronounced. You cannot replace that. And those harmonies lasted a lifetime."
But, Kot says, the success of the Staple Singers had as much to do with their differences as their similarities especially when it came to taste.
"You have to understand, in this group you had several generations blending," he says. "Pops was a traditionalist, no doubt about it; he was a very staunch gospel man. But he was an open-minded guy, and part of it was, his children were listening to everything."
That open-mindedness would lead to relationships with Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan and many more. Kot spoke with NPR's Arun Rath about the family's journey from Chicago churches to the canon of American song, and about Mavis Staples' continued presence and relevance today. Hear more of their conversation at the audio link.
The Staples were the first time I heard something related to gospel music back in my formative years and thinking, Hey, that’s pretty cool!.
And here she is, in 2010, doing it every bit as well!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l64Bte5ygvM
Pops became an incredible, and influential guitarist! Studied extensively by Ry Cooder, Curtis Mayfield,,,,,,,,,and me. Wonderful player!
Does Obama know this?
He’s so vain, he probably thinks that song’s not about him.
Audio only, but just kick back and listen to two of the all-time greats:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXpi0WhDYLU
I’ve long associated I’ll Take You There, with an award winning stop action animation, “Ode to G.I. Joe”, which was a tribute to the large action figures of yore. The animator got a bunch of rare and valuable ones as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7_mz8JXqMg
Dig deeper into the Staples. Mavis, for sure. Hardcore lefties.
The words to their songs aren’t.
Their performance in Last Waltz was incredible.
The title track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6B9LRdGOg
And of course this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO0Q3192Jrs
The Staple Singers - This May be the Last Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1jGF-6bFpI
Respect Yourself Live Filmed Performance 1972
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oab4ZCfTbOI
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.