Mavis Staples is an American icon. Together with her father, sisters and brother, they formed in the 1950s . The family group caused a furore with uplifting gospel songs, which also came to include social criticism during the 1960s and 1970s. They took inspiration from, among other things, the protest music of and the sermons of , in turn, huge Staple Singer fans. Mavis' solo career also has room
… for both pious hope and social commentary. A year after the positive (2016) follows the sharp If All I Was Was Black. In ten poignant soul songs she sings about the ongoing struggle of the African American community for a safe, inclusive society. For example, the 78-year-old singer refers to slogans from the Black Lives Matter movement and Michelle Obama's famous We Go High speech. The songs were written for Staples by her best friend . He has placed himself perfectly in the experience of a black woman who has been fighting for equality for more than half a century. Thanks to this CD every listener can now do that too. (JE)more
