Mavis Staples was powered by a tight three-piece band and three back-up singers. Photo / AP
They say the Devil has the best tunes, but in a hand-clapping, politically infused and gospel-testifying performance, tiny Mavis Staples - 71, voice with the power of a bandsaw - provided an enjoyable and persuasive counter-argument.
Powered by a tight three-piece band and three back-up singers, Staples took us to
a spiritually uplifting world where Moses, Satan and Joshua commanding the sun to stand still were as real as today's headlines (she made clear she doesn't have much truck with politicians), and where the civil rights message of Dr King is carried to new generations.
From the stage-cum-pulpit, she and her band touched swamp rock (You're Not Alone), the country rock of The Band (The Weight), pure gospel spirit (Creep Along Moses) and a roof-rattling treatment of Freedom Highway, where she drove home the affirmation of its lyrics with astonishing power and passion in a memorable performance.
After such a thrilling set - the crowd stomping in wild appreciation and enjoyment - the more sedentary and less dynamic Blind Boys of Alabama looked like they couldn't compete. Early on with enjoyably ragged versions of Take the High Road, Perfect Peace and Spirit in the Sky it seemed the night's momentum had been lost. But with a raw Way Down in the Hole and guest Aaron Neville on briefly (People Get Ready, Don't Let the Devil Ride and a quivering treatment of Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come), the intensity steadily picked up through Amazing Grace set to the tune House of the Rising Sun. In a thrilling 10 minute testifying climax - which included a funny inversion of the old James Brown routine of being picked up and carried off (the Blind Boys' Ben Moore and Bishop Billy Bowers being gently pushed back into their seats when they got up as the spirit took hold) - singer Jimmy Carter made his way into the clapping and laughing audience.
Redemption was in the house and the Devil - who still has good songs - was chased out to the sound of stomping and cheers. Unforgettable.
