Mavis Staples – One True Vine (02/09/2013)
One of gospel’s greatest, Mavis Staples is back with a help producer Jeff Tweedy, creating a breathtaking sequel to their 2010 collaboration You Are Not Alone. One True Vine is a gospel album of heartbreaking vocals, solemn lyrics and subtle instrumental touches that sweeps the audience into each and every song.
Covering Low’s Holy Ghost, Staples opens her album with a testament to her stunning alto voice. With only some simple acoustic guitar strumming and the hushed harmonies of Tiffany Francisco, Kelly Hogan and Donny Gerrard, this song is a perfect opening to the album.
Every Step is a haunting and stripped down song that bares the almost downtrodden soul of someone having found grace but facing the heavy hand that comes with it. Staples reaches very little above a whisper, with her voice flowing over the subtle instrumental arrangement below it.
Far Celestial Shore opens with a twangy guitar notes before continuing with easy-going strumming that support Staples vocals throughout the song. The lyrics have a much happier tone than the previous songs, with Staples singing of an optimistic outlook and letting life carry on while waiting for the day she finds herself in a better place.
Despite the beautifully performed manner of the song, without the solemn and brooding undertones it’s very easy to overlook amongst the rest of the album. With a similarly upbeat tone, but with a pop-ier edge from the percussion and electric guitar solo, Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind On Jesus) is an exultant celebration of religion. Staples plays up her vocal talents with this song and its clear that she was having fun and letting her hair down with this one which has created a pleasantly jovial feel to the track.
The album slows to a close with the title track One True Vine, which captures the weary but never-failing devotion. Staples’ vocals portray the voice of the wearing and the broken perfectly, with her whisper quiet and modest voice gracefully falling over the bare instrumentals. The final seconds of the song find Staples rising from her weariness and as her voice builds she brings rejuvenation to herself and her audience.
Bethany Williams
Covering Low’s Holy Ghost, Staples opens her album with a testament to her stunning alto voice. With only some simple acoustic guitar strumming and the hushed harmonies of Tiffany Francisco, Kelly Hogan and Donny Gerrard, this song is a perfect opening to the album.
Every Step is a haunting and stripped down song that bares the almost downtrodden soul of someone having found grace but facing the heavy hand that comes with it. Staples reaches very little above a whisper, with her voice flowing over the subtle instrumental arrangement below it.
Far Celestial Shore opens with a twangy guitar notes before continuing with easy-going strumming that support Staples vocals throughout the song. The lyrics have a much happier tone than the previous songs, with Staples singing of an optimistic outlook and letting life carry on while waiting for the day she finds herself in a better place.
Despite the beautifully performed manner of the song, without the solemn and brooding undertones it’s very easy to overlook amongst the rest of the album. With a similarly upbeat tone, but with a pop-ier edge from the percussion and electric guitar solo, Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind On Jesus) is an exultant celebration of religion. Staples plays up her vocal talents with this song and its clear that she was having fun and letting her hair down with this one which has created a pleasantly jovial feel to the track.
The album slows to a close with the title track One True Vine, which captures the weary but never-failing devotion. Staples’ vocals portray the voice of the wearing and the broken perfectly, with her whisper quiet and modest voice gracefully falling over the bare instrumentals. The final seconds of the song find Staples rising from her weariness and as her voice builds she brings rejuvenation to herself and her audience.
Bethany Williams