Carry Me Home

Captured live a year before Helm’s death, this reunion of old friends and kindred icons is a testament to perseverance, faith, and mighty backing bands.

Mavis Staples was a shining example of the sort of artist the Band revered; as a member of the Staple Singers, she was first and foremost a gospel singer, but her music was also steeped in blues, R&B, and funk, and she discovered something strong, sustaining, and life-affirming in any song that caught her eye.

On poignant yet defiant recordings made in 2011 shortly before Helm’s death, Staples’ commanding vocals give enormous vibrancy to blues, folk and soul standards

Good enough gospel but a little too bland. Album review by MarkKidel