Chicagoans might not agree on everything, but there is one thing that I’ve come to find that we all agree upon: our shared love for musician, civil rights activist, and hometown gal, Mavis Staples.
If you’ve not seen Mavis in concert, I urge you to make an effort to attend one of her shows. And if she’s not coming to a town near you, you owe it to yourself to check out the 2015 documentary, Mavis! The reason is simple—this woman is a pure ray of sunshine in an often disheartening world. She IS joy (I’m pretty sure she’s an official synonym for “joy” in the dictionary at this point).
Mavis’ spirit is contagious. Hearing her sing just one song is all that it will take. You’ll be hooked for life, which is a good thing because she’s got a lifetime of music. I recommend starting with The Staples Singers and working all the way up to her latest critically acclaimed album, 2017’s If All I Was Was Black.
SETLIST
If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me) (The Staple Singers song)
Take Us Back
Slippery People (Talking Heads cover)
Who Told You That
Build a Bridge
Little Bit
Freedom Highway (The Staple Singers song)
You Are Not Alone
Love and Trust
Ain’t No Doubt About It
Livin’ On A High Note (Instrumental Jam)
Touch a Hand, Make a Friend (The Staple Singers song)
I’ll Take You There (The Staple Singers song)
No Time for Crying
