The Staple Singers: Soulful Stax Grooves

The Staple Singers are known for such immortal classics as “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself.” They’re one of the most legendary groups in the history of soul music. Led by Roebuck “Pops” Staples, and featuring his children Cleotha, Mavis, Pervis, and Yvonne, the group established itself as one of the leading lights in both the gospel and soul genres, as well as a torch-bearer for the civil rights movement. During the 1950s and 60s, the Chicago-based group recorded for several labels, including Vee-Jay, Riverside, and Epic Records. In 1968, The Staple Singers signed with Stax Records, the home of artists like Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Booker T & The MGs.

Photo: Courtesy of  Stax Archives

Their first album for Stax, Soul Folk in Action, was produced by guitarist Steve Cropper, who had risen to fame as part of the label’s house band. Cropper also co-wrote several hits for the label, including Wilson Pickett’s “In The Midnight Hour.” Soul Folk in Action includes the group’s stellar cover of Redding’s “(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay” and a knockout version of The Band’s “The Weight.” While that album and its follow-up, We’ll Get Over, (also produced by Cropper) featuring the memorable song “When Will We Be Paid,” and a cover of Joe South’s “Games People Play,” garnered good reviews, neither record made a significant dent on the charts. In stepped Stax producer Al Bell, who steered the group in a more deeply funk-fueled direction.

Bell produced 1971’s The Staple Swingers, bringing the group together with the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, resulting in a soulful collection that contained the group’s first big hit, “Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom).” The group’s next album, Be Attitude: Respect Yourself featured the breakout smashes “Respect Yourself’ and “I’ll Take You There.” From there on, the smooth lead vocals of “Pops” Staples and the emotional, powerful growl of Mavis Staples led the group through a string of hits, live shows and television appearances, including a show-stopping appearance in The Band’s concert film, The Last Waltz. After parting ways with Bell and Stax in 1975, The Staple Singers also worked with producer-artist Curtis Mayfield on the soundtrack to the Sidney Poitier film Let’s Do It Again, solidifying their status as soul music icons.

Earlier this year, Craft Recordings issued a spectacular box set of the group’s Stax output from the years 1968-74, Come Go With Me: The Stax Collection. Spanning 7 discs, the set includes a selection of live tracks from the group’s stellar performance at the 1972 Wattstax music festival, as well as other rarities. The set also showcases a selection of amazing archival photos in its accompanying booklet, as well as comprehensive liner notes from Levon Williams (formerly of the Stax Museum) and folklorist and writer Dr. Langston Wilkins. If you’re a fan of classic soul and gospel, this is essential listening, and a must have for your collection. Come Go With Me: The Stax Collection is available in both vinyl and digital formats. Craft Recordings is one of the leaders in releasing carefully curated and lovingly crafted re-issues of essential music like this, which will appeal to both fans and newcomers alike. Follow this link for more information on this indispensable release: https://craftrecordings.com/staplessingers-comegowithme/, as well as this link to a trailer for the box set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFkc0VxZzTc.