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Mavis Staples

Mavis talks to Matt about the first key musical moments in her life and career to date.

Mavis talks to Matt about the first key musical moments in her life and career to date.
She talks about her earliest experiences signing in church, the Staple Singers distinctive vocal and musical style, but also the racism and violence they faced touring in the late 50s and early 60s, especially in the American South. She also discusses her memories of performing for Martin Luther King; her father Pops was friends with him.

She talks about recording with The Band. The Staple Singers's version of The Weight that closes The Band live film The Last Waltz is regarded as one of the greatest pieces of music ever captured on celluloid. She discusses her more recent output, which has seen her collaborated with Benjamin Brooker and Wilko's Jeff Tweedy, who produced her most recent record If All I Was Was Black.

1 hour

Last on

Thu 2 Mar 2023 02:00

Music Played

  • The Staple Singers

    I'll Take You There

    • Stax.
  • The Staple Singers

    We'll Get Over

  • The Staple Singers

    Will the Circle Be Unbroken

    • Will The Circle Be Unboken?.
    • Cornbread Records.
    • 1.
  • The Staple Singers

    Uncloudy Day

    • Uncloudy Day.
    • Joy Special.
    • 1.
  • The Staple Singers

    Freedom Highway

    • Freedom Highway.
    • Columbia.
    • 1.
  • Mavis Staples

    Take Us Back

    • Livin' On A High Note.
    • Anti.
    • 1.
  • Benjamin Booker

    Witness (feat. Mavis Staples)

    • Witness.
    • Rough Trade.
    • 3.
  • The Staple Singers

    If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)

  • The Staple Singers

    Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)

    • Epic.
  • The Band

    The Weight

    • Capitol Records.
  • Mavis Staples

    Little Bit

    • If All I Was Was Black.
    • Anti.
    • 1.
  • Mavis Staples

    Who Told You That

Broadcasts

  • Sun 18 Feb 2018 13:00
  • Tue 30 Jul 2019 01:00
  • Wed 15 Jul 2020 01:00
  • Sun 20 Sep 2020 13:00
  • Thu 1 Apr 2021 01:00
  • Thu 12 Aug 2021 01:00
  • Wed 4 May 2022 01:00
  • Thu 2 Mar 2023 02:00

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A selection of major artists reveal their first musical purchase.

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