Reviewed by Tony Cummings

In this era of publicist hype, just about any hit of yesteryear is going to be called by someone "a classic." In the case of the Staple Singers however, there will be few followers of soul or pop who would argue with the classics name for this album. The first three tracks here, all recorded during the Staples' glory years when they switched from straight ahead gospel to God-tinged soul and social justice music aided by some of the best session musicians ever assembled in the recording studio. The first three tracks here, "I'll Take You There", "Respect Yourself" and "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)", are truly superlative while there are several other tracks here - like "City In The Sky" and their smouldering version of The Bands' "The Wait" - demonstrate again that Mavis Staples possesses one of the most affecting voices in the whole of popular music. If somehow you've never bought the tracks compiled here from the legendary Memphis label Stax's back catalogue here's a perfect chance to put some soul in your pop and rock collection.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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