One True Vine [LP]

by Mavis Staples

Overview

Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy proved to be such a good match on You Are Not Alone -- the album won a Grammy in the category of Best Americana Album -- that the two opted to do it again. Not tremendously different from that 2010 set, One True Vine does involve a slightly different core lineup. Tweedy's teenaged son Spencer drums instead of Stephen Hodges, and Tweedy, rather than Jeff Turmes, handles all the bass duties (among several other instruments). The album features another assortment of covers and new material. Its quieter, reserved, slightly darker mood is tipped off with a cover of Low's "Holy Ghost." Mavis' characteristically arresting voice, supported by Mark Greenberg's lightly touched Wurlitzer and a hushed backing vocalist trio of Tiffany "Makeda" Francisco, Kelly Hogan, and Donny Gerrard, sounds like it could have been recorded during a 2 a.m. service. Early Funkadelic classic "Can You Get to That" -- the most inspired choice of the Tweedy sessions -- is done straightforwardly with slightly goofy vocals from Tweedy and Gerrard. Nick Lowe's contribution, "Far Celestial Shore," can be identified quickly, yet it's not out of place among Tweedy's three originals or the two songs within the public domain. A new version of "I Like the Things About Me" (aka "I Like the Things About You") swaps twanging guitar for buzzing bass and has deeper resonance with Mavis singing lead than the Pops-fronted original heard on The Staple Swingers. Throughout, Tweedy and company give Mavis even more room than on You Are Not Alone. While this isn't as exciting, the grip is instant, hard to break. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	06/25/2013
Label:	Anti- / Epitaph
UPC:	0045778720613
Rank:	37301

Tracks

1. Holy Ghost
2. Every Step
3. Can You Get to That
4. Jesus Wept
5. Far Celestial Shore
6. What Are They Doing in Heaven Today
7. Sow Good Seeds
8. I Like the Things About Me
9. Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind on Jesus)
10. One True Vine

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mavis Staples   Primary Artist
Kelly Hogan   Vocals (Background)
Scott Ligon   Piano
Jeff Tweedy   Bass,Organ,Piano,Guitar,Mellotron,Marxophone,Percussion,Slide Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Rick Holmstrom   Guitar (Electric)
Donny Gerrard   Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Paul Von Mertens   Clarinet,Sax (Baritone)
Andrew Baker   Euphonium,Trumpet (Bass)
Makeda Francisco   Vocals (Background)
Spencer Tweedy   Drums,Percussion
Liam Cunningham   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Mark Greenberg   Assistant Engineer
Jeff Tweedy   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Horn Arrangements
George Clinton   Composer
Alan Sparhawk   Composer
Roebuck "Pops" Staples   Composer
Nick Lowe   Composer
Public Domain   Composer
Tom Schick   Mixing,Engineer
Paul Von Mertens   Horn Arrangements
Zoran Orlic   Photography
Chris Strong   Photography
Martha Stubbs   Composer
Ernie Harris   Composer