Jeff Tweedy & Mavis Staples on The Colbert Report

[pullquote quote="Come see a true Chicago treasure. And be prepared to be moved... your backfield and your soul."]I was thrilled when I first heard that Mavis would be working with [lastfm]Jeff Tweedy[/lastfm] on her next album. I went into this with high expectations…..and they have knocked it out of the park. The album itself is amazing. Mavis, joined by Jeff for a couple of songs at Lollapalooza, was in top form. And this week they’ve been all over the television. What’s next, Mavis? Dancing With The Stars? I’d pay cash to see that!

Mavis And Jeff with her excellent band and singers, did a soulful performance of the CCR song “Wrote A Song For Everyone.” Nailed it. Then the next night they show up on the Colbert Report for a song and interview.

Steven has his Chicago roots, so he knew to play the Cubs vs Sox issue. Cute. Then, they came back with a moving version of Jeff’s song You Are Not Alone. The song and Mavis’ interpretation are so moving, but considering it was on tv the same week as the news of the teen suicide/bullying/gay bashing/disrupting military funerals issues…well I felt it carried even more healing power. I hope the people that really need to hear the message of that song got it loud and clear. As Pops Staples once wrote, Hope in a Hopeless World…his daughter is bringing light to the world. Seeing Mavis and Jeff perform like that makes Chicago look real good to the world.

Notice the backup singers. The woman on the left is [lastfm]Yvonne Staples[/lastfm], Mavis’ sister and original member of the [lastfm]Staples Singers[/lastfm]. She’s wonderful! Look forward to seeing Mavis, Yvonne and the band when they do an XRT Holiday Concert for the Kids, Saturday night, November 27th at Park West. Tickets go on sale this Saturday morning at 10:00. Check out the concerts section of our website for pre-sale information. Come see a true Chicago treasure. And be prepared to be moved….your backfield and your soul.