Carry Me Home

Pitchfork 7.5/10 From start to finish, she leads these songs of resilience and long-term redemption with a minister’s conviction. The dozen-plus musicians around her—including her sister Yvonne and Helm’s daughter, Amy—became her de facto choir. Carry Me Home is a jubilant lesson in living history.

All Music 4/5 When Staples and her harmony vocalists get happy on these songs, they do so in the service of a message that only makes the music all the more effective, turning the elation of her performances into something even more special.

Mojo 4/5 Timeless and joyful.

The Guardian 4/5 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.

Spectrum Culture 74% Staples belts her way through a dozen tunes tinged with gospel, old style R&B, blues and early rock ‘n’ roll –all the things Helm made a living keeping time for since the ‘50s.

Uncut 8/10 In the summer of 2011, Staples travelled to Woodstock to perform with Helm at one of his ‘Midnight Ramble’ concerts in his converted barn. Backed by a 15-piece band plus horn section, they delivered a spirited set of classic blues, R&B and gospel.