The Staple Singers: “Africa 80” (2024) CD Review

A few years ago, Omnivore Recordings re-issued some of the work of The Staple Singers, including Let’s Do It Again, Pass It On, Family Tree and Unlock Your Mind, albums that were all originally released in the 1970s. Now the label is taking us into the 1980s with Africa 80, a live album of music recorded during the group’s first tour of Africa in 1980. The music here shows some of the range of the group, with a few of their hits along with some traditional songs. There is one composition by Roebuck “Pops” Staples. This release includes liner notes by music historian Tim Dillinger-Curenton.

The album opens with someone introducing the band: “The sensational and unique Staple Singers!” The band develops a good, funky groove, and the audience claps along. There is a bit of vocal riffing toward the end of this short track. It’s a cool way of starting the show. They then go into “Ease On Down The Road,” a song written by Charles Small for The Wiz. This is a fun, bouncy rendition, with some funk in the music. The energy is high, as are the spirits, as we can tell from their vocal performances. This track is an early highlight for me.  The group then slows things down with “Let’s Do It Again,” delivering a soulful, smooth and sexy rendition. This song was written by Curtis Mayfield and was the title track to the group’s 1975 release, which was the soundtrack to the Sidney Poitier film. This one picks up in energy approximately halfway through, the vocals leading the way. “Do it again and again and again and again and again.” Oh yes!

They then give us “Respect Yourself,” the (sort of) title track to the 1972 LP Be Altitude: Respect Yourself. I dig that great work on bass on this song. What a wonderful groove and also a positive message. “If you’re walking ‘round thinking that the world owes you something ‘cause you're here, oh yes/You’re goin’ out the world backwards like you did when you first come here, yeah.” This song was released as a single and was a hit for The Staple Singers. Then from the group’s 1973 album Be What You Are, they do “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me),” here titled simply “Come Go With Me.” This one feels like a party as it begins, with that delicious bass line and that great rhythm. “If you’re ready, well, if you’re ready now, yeah, if you’re ready.” Oh yes, we’re ready. Here they tell us, “No hatred will be tolerated” and “Love is the only transportation/To where there’s total communication.” We still need to hear those words today. This song was another big hit for the group, and its appeal is as strong as ever. It was written by Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson and Carl Hampton.

“Why Am I Treated So Bad” is the song written by Pops Staples. It eases in with a cool blues vibe, and features some absolutely fantastic vocal work. This is one of the highlights of the album, no question. In the middle there is a spoken word section: “You know, down in Mississippi, where we came from I used to go to church... And we didn’t have electric lights like we have here tonight. We didn’t have the piano and the guitars and the organ. We just clapped our hands.” This is great. These guys could raise us up even by just singing “Oooh.” The crowd is enthusiastic in the applause at the end. That’s followed by “A House Is Not A Home.” This is a song that Mavis Staples included on her self-titled debut solo album. And here she delivers an excellent, passionate rendition. “A House Is Not A Home” was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the 1964 film of the same name.

Then the group gets into the traditional material with a couple of numbers, starting with “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” As they start this one, the crowd claps along. And while there is a strong groove, this one is really all about the vocal work, their voices blending beautifully. This is a delicious, uplifting rendition, and is another highlight of the album, even though it’s a bit short. It’s only approximately two minutes. It feels like it’s just taking off when it comes to an end. The crowd claps immediately as the group begins “He’s Alright.” “You can clap, that’s all right, we like that,” the audience is encouraged. This is another glorious number, a strong vocal force. I’ve said it before, but if songs like this had been sung in my church when I was a child, I might still be a believer. This is so good, and in addition to that fantastic vocal work, this track features some really good stuff on guitar.

“Touch A Hand, Make A Friend” is a song from the band’s 1973 record Be What You Are. “Can’t you feel it in your bones, y’all/A change is coming on/From every walk of life/People are seeing the light/Can’t you feel it in your hearts now/Yeah, a new thing’s taking shape/Reach out, touch a hand, yes/Make a friend if you can.” Yes, another positive message. And it can still be done. Sure, there is a lot of division in this country right now, but reaching out is never a bad idea. Approximately four minutes into the track, it feels like it’s reaching its climax. But they are only halfway through at that point. Things are getting interesting, with Mavis cutting loose. “I wonder if everybody would just make a friend tonight,” she says to the crowd. “Just look around you, and wherever you see somebody, put a smile on your face and reach out and touch that person.” The disc concludes with a reprise of “Touch A Hand, Make A Friend,” the band continuing and the crowd clapping along. The band is introduced on this track, and then Mavis digs back into the song vocally. A really nice way of wrapping things up.

CD Track List

1. Introduction
2. Ease On Down The Road
3. Let’s Do It Again
4. Respect Yourself
5. Come Go With Me
6. Why Am I Treated So Bad
7. A House Is Not A Home
8. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
9. He’s Alright
10. Touch A Hand, Make A Friend
11. Touch A Hand, Make A Friend (Reprise)

Africa 80 is scheduled to be released on May 10, 2024 through Omnivore Recordings.