Mavis Staples opened Lollapolooza

smark21 · 08-09-2010, 10:09 PM

http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articl...ectacle,43944/

• Scheduled early in the afternoon on the first day of the festival, Mavis Staples played to a thin crowd made up more of curious onlookers than devoted fans, but those who were willing to take a chance on the 71-year-old R&B/gospel legend were rewarded with more than just idle amusement. Admittedly, an a capella gospel hymn isn’t the most rip-roaring way to start a rock ’n’ roll festival, and for the first 10 minutes or so, Staples’ between-song banter consisted mostly of her repeating the titles and lyrics of her Jesus-loving tunes, lending the set a vaguely sanctimonious air. But those who suspected that Staples’ association with Jeff Tweedy—who is producing her upcoming album, You Are Not Alone—might pay some interesting dividends were proven right three songs in, when Staples announced she was bringing out the frontman from “the Wilco band” to lend a hand for that album’s stellar title track. Tweedy left after only one song—though Staples cajoled him into returning a few songs later—but Staples took advantage of the crowd’s increased enthusiasm, breaking out a rousing cover of The Band’s “The Weight” and eventually crescendoing to an epic rendition of The Staple Singers’ biggest hit, “I’ll Take You There.” Staples proved to be a consummate performer throughout, leading her crack band and backup singers—including sister and fellow Staple Singer Yvonne—through extended jams and impressive vocal runs, and somehow managing to plug her new album in the most likable way possible. [[“Christmas is coming up. You buy six CDs, you have six Christmas presents. You’re done!”) The crowd ate it up, prompting one twentysomething guy to yell, confusingly, “I want you to be a grandchild to my children!” The delivery got muddled through his drunken delivery, but the message was clear: Staples is the cool grandmother you wish you had telling you about Jesus’ love and singing you to sleep at night. [GK]