MAVIS STAPLES | LIVE REVIEW
Tramshed, Cardiff, Fri 7 July
This evening will go down in history as the night Grangetown played host to a living legend. Despite gigging for more than 60, years this was Mavis Staples’ first time in Wales, but she made up for it: her colossal voice probably carried to the summit of Snowdonia. We’ll skip over the fact that she momentarily forgot where she was, as this was as up close and personal a gig as I’ve ever experienced.
Mavis played tribute to her father, Staple Singers leader Pops Staples, and spoke passionately about Martin Luther King, reminding us of the power of activism. She was buoyed by a fiercely groovy band featuring guitarist Rick Holmstrom, bassist Jeff Tunes, drummer Stephen Hodges and vocalists Donny Gerrard and Vicki Randle, who collectively made a sound large enough to compliment her energy. Their loose instrumental grooves carried the crowd through Mavis’ momentary rest from the stage (to presumably drink some mint tea and honey?).
There hasn’t been a duff record in her career; considering the range of Staple Singers classics and her new, kickass solo records, the only disappointment was the songs that didn’t make the set. But it was a great one, make no mistake. Mavis’ recent albums have included reworkings of other people’s records. Tonight, Slippery People by Talking Heads was an early highlight, while the rendition of Funkadelic’s Can You Get With That was immense. Of course there were plenty of Staple Singers hits too – Respect Yourself, If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me) and Touch A Hand, Make A Friend. She closed with the classic I’ll Take You There.
It’s unclear if Mavis Staples has another album in the pipeline, although her recent vocal contribution to a recent Arcade Fire track was beautifully fierce. I really hope she keeps going, she makes music to carry us forward and my lord we need it. Where there is Mavis, there is hope.
words GRACE TODD