Pops Staples – Don’t Lose This

Roebuck “Pops” Staples passed away at the end of 2000 and took all that great R&B/gospel talent with him. Fortunately for fans there was recently discovered some unfinished tracks that were recorded in 1999 and were meant for a Staples Singers album. Super fan and great musician in his own right, Jeff Tweedy from Wilco, was asked to work on creating an album from these forgotten gems along with the man’s daughter, Mavis. He proceeded to strip it down to Pops’ guitar playing and his voice. Mavis recorded some vocals while Tweedy added in some guitar and bass of his own to accompany what was already there. The result is a beautiful and powerful album of R&B and blues music. Listening to it you see that despite the fact that he did not get as much press as guitarists like B.B. King he was certainly a wizard. Also the laid-back vibe of his voice added much to the music he recorded. Whether the songs are old standards like “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” or more modern as his version of Bob Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody” it is all rather bare (in regards to arrangement) and emotional. Tracks like “The Lady’s Letter” feature several Staples’ voices and really reminds you of the beautiful harmonies this family produced.