One For The Road: Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 6, 2010 10:05PM

Two of the best old and young collaborations in recent years were the late Oscar Brown, Jr. with Kelly Hogan, and Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy. Staples, simply put, is a local treasure, able to effortlessly bridge the gap between gospel and soul with none of the self-consciousness many of us have about singing alone in the kitchen.

Staples and Tweedy were on Letterman last night to promote Staples's "You Are Not Alone." One of the more arresting tracks on the album is a cover of Credence Clearwater Revival's "Wrote A Song For Everyone." While the performance was good, this acoustic version cuts past the chaff to get to the heart of the grain.

Remember what we said yesterday about Bettye LaVette and the Who? John Fogerty now owes Mavis Staples royalties.