Never Turning Back; New Album a Testament to Mavis' Strength

From the swampy opening chords of "Down In Mississippi," it is clear that Ry Cooder's musical direction produced one of the finest albums of 2007, Mavis Staples' powerful We'll Never Turn Back.

Although Mavis is the star here, that "We" in the album's title is worth examining. Best known as a member of the Staple Singers, Mavis Staples, along with her family, helped politicize gospel music and use it as an instrument for societal change. That same spirit prevails here, as Mavis is clearly singing of a post-Katrina America, as made clear by the exclamation "broken levees, lyin' politicians" in the funky "99 and 1/2 (Won't Do)."

It is important to bear in mind that gospel music is communal. Though there may be a lead voice, in takes a whole choir full of people to join their voices together and overcome. Gospel music started on plantations where one's only hope was being free in the afterlife. Several gospel songs, such as "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" became codes of how to escape to freedom in the North. These songs were always sung together because community was necessary; no slaves would have escaped the horrible institution of slavery had they not banded together. Love for each other and a desire to help others are the bedrock of gospel music. The "We" in this album's title encapsulates that reality of working together. The communal nature of gospel makes this album call out to the listener and ask them to join in fighting injustice themselves.

Despite the message, musically this album is amazing. On several tracks Mavis is joined in singing by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, famous for her work with Paul Simon on Graceland. Jim Keltner's drumming is spot-on as usual. This may be my first time hearing Mike Elizondo, though at various times I found myself amazed by both his bass and piano playing.

The song selection is also amazing. Mavis chose several classic gospel tunes, several in new arrangments. "99 and 1/2" is peppered with references to the contemporary political situation, and is only strengthened by them. "Eyes On the Prize" is a strong reworking of "Gospel Plow."

"Down In Mississippi" is an amazing track with Mavis building it up with personal stories of her role in the civil rights movement, including a narrative of her accidentally integrating a washroom as a very young girl. Another highlight of that song is pointing out the irony that white men were more likely to be arrested for hunting rabbit out of season than for killing a minority.

Two original songs prove two of the strongest. "My Own Eyes" is a strong statement that lays out Mavis' world view. "I'll Be Rested," one of my favorite tracks on the album, features a listing of fallen civil rights activists and related figures, ranging from the well-known (King, Robert Kennedy, Emmett Till) to the obscure (Andrew Goodman) to somewhere inbetween (Medgar Evers); all of them should be more well-known than they are today, as should Mavis and her beautiful music.

(Mavis Staples is coming to Manhattan, KS to perform at McCain Auditorium October 28.)