Mavis Staples: I'll Take You There - An All-Star Concert Celebration

Indistinct singing

Cheers and applause

One, two, three. Ooh, ooh-whee You better listen, boy You better listen here You're always on the go Partying seems to be the only thing you know But I'm supposed to be the one you love desperately But when I ask for a little love You say you don't have time It's true I love you, baby And I love you only But can't you see, boy You're leaving me so lonely And you're driving me Baby, you're driving me Driving me into the arms of a stranger You're driving me Baby, you're driving me You're driving me into the arms of a stranger Trying to be a do-right girl I've been trying to do right by you But you've been led to temptation In a field without a relation So I find myself searching for someone new I'm a just a girl I'm a just a girl Too weak to fight Too weak to fight This temptation when you leave me lonely every night And you're driving me You're driving me Baby, you're driving me into the arms of a stranger You're driving me Baby, you're driving me Driving me into the arms of a stranger Say it now This is a little situation You better check yourself out I'm not gonna sit here waiting While you're running about You better straighten up, baby You better check yourself out Driving me, driving me I'm just a girl I'm just a girl Too weak to fight Too weak to fight This temptation when you leave me lonely every night And you're driving me Yeah, you're driving me You're driving me into the arms of a stranger You're driving me Oh, oh, baby You're driving me into the arms of a stranger You're driving me Yeah, you're driving me Driving me to the arms of a stranger You're driving me You're driving me You're driving me Into the arms Of a stranger

Cheers and applause

Yeah, getting the call to be part of this event was really a thrill because I have been such a fan of Mavis'. I look around at the other artists on stage, too. Very rarely, and I would say never again, do you get a collection of artists like that on the same stage. This is a once in a lifetime for me.

I never thought that all of these giants, these greats would come together for Mavis. Just being in Mavis' presence is pretty awesome. It was an honor to be asked. It was a no-brainer.

I mean, you know, Mavis. If you have to ask somebody, "How does it feel to be here?" then you're not paying attention at all. Mavis was kind of a no-brainer, really, you know? Because the songs are magnificent.

God, it's so good to be here. I don't really know how I got here. You know, one of those moments. 'Cause she's pretty special to me.

I'm a huge, huge fan. It's gonna be great, and there are, you know, a lot of fantastic people here. I don't think I've ever seen a lineup of incredible singers that have more affection and respect for each other. And she deserves this and more.

She deserves a week of these shows. Just said, "I don't care when it is or where I'm supposed to be at that moment. I'm definitely coming to celebrate Mavis." Theres a place I know for certain I will someday see When I lay down my burden And look on Galilee Way beyond the surly bonds Of Earth and hate and war On a far celestial shore There's a valley of crystal waters Vines adorn the hill Every bough is heavy with fruit You can pick your fill There's a land of plenty Where no child shall want for more On a far celestial shore And I'll know such jubilation Joy and exaltation when I see my Lord There's a choir and congregation Ooh, how sweet the sound But laughter, too, is everywhere Gray faces are not found Hallelujahs rise up Hallelujah From a whisper to a roar Hallelujah On a far celestial shore Way beyond the surly bonds Of Earth and hate and war On a far celestial shore There's a land of plenty Where no child shall want for more On a far celestial shore Hallelujahs rise up Hallelujah From a whisper to a roar Hallelujah On a far celestial shore On a far, far celestial shore On a far celestial shore

Cheers and applause

> If you disrespect anybody that you run into Well How in the world do you think anybody's s'posed to respect you? Oh, yeah If you don't give a heck About the man with the Bible in his hand Just get out the way and let the gentleman do his thing Oh, yeah You're the kind of gentleman That want everything your way Whoa Take the sheet off your face boy It's a brand-new day

Both vocalizing

Respect yourself Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na na na na

Both vocalizing

Hey, well, well, well If you're walking around thinkin' The world owes you something 'cause you're here Yeah, yeah You goin' out the world backwards Like you did when you first come here Yeah Keep talkin' 'bout the president Won't stop the air pollution Yeah Put your hand over your mouth when you cough That'll help the solution Yes, it will Oh, you cuss around women You don't even know their names Oh, no Then you're dumb enough to think That'll make you a big ol' man Yeah, respect yourself Respect yourself Respect yourself

Vocalizing

Respect yourself Respect yourself Yeah, respect yourself Respect yourself You ought to, you ought to Respect yourself Yeah, yeah Respect yourself Hey, hey

Vocalizing

Whoo ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh Thank you, Mavis. Thank you! Thank you!

Cheers and applause

Thank you! Whoo! She's managed to have a career by doing what felt real for her. And I don't think anybody said, "Hey, Mavis, do this, and you'll have a big top-40 hit." It's just spiritual every time with her.

You can tell it's not coming from here. It's coming from here. And, really, what it's all about, what it's all about is the spirit. It's can you bring -- Can you bring your spirit to the situation.

If you can't, then there's no point in being here. She's followed her muse. You know, I don't think she's ever done anything that she didn't feel completely committed to. Mavis is -- It's blatantly obvious where she's coming from when she opens her mouth.

The spirit is in the right place. When she sang with us at the United Center, we did this kind of breakdown where she just went into this gospel number. Just from her singing, she transformed the entire spiritual energy of the room, like, essentially, it, like, became a church. Every time she sets foot on that stage, she's just giving and radiating this incredible positive energy.

Wow. She's such a happy soul, you know? I love her energy. I just love it.

Her spirit is uncontainable. Every musician has tremendous respect for Mavis Staples. She's one of the two or three artists that I really look to all the time for inspiration. I can think of a few tracks I've cut over the years that I probably would not have even written those songs had I not been influenced by The Staple Singers, you know what I mean?

Mavis is like a reference point to me. One of my big reference points. Like, you know, when I listen to Muddy Waters or I hear BB King sing. And then, when I hear Mavis, it's one of those people that you go, you have to -- That feels good.

I think she could make anybody a convert to whatever she's singing about. So she's really like my -- She and Pops and The Staples are like my personal pastors, you know. And I think she has that impact on everyone. Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around Turn me around Turn me around Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around I'm gonna keep on a-walkin' Keep on a-talkin' Marchin' on to freedom land Ain't gonna let injustice turn me around Turn me around Turn me around Ain't gonna let injustice turn me around I'm gonna keep on a-walkin' Keep on a-talkin' Marchin' into freedom land Ain't gonna let discrimination turn me around No Turn me around No, no Turn me around Ain't gonna let discrimination turn me around I'm gonna keep on a-walkin' Keep on a-talkin' Marchin' up Hey, hey, hey, hey Ain't gonna let no hatred turn me around Ain't gonna turn me around Turn me around Ain't gonna let no hatred turn me around I'm gonna keep on a-walkin' Keep on a-talkin' Marchin' up to freedom land Everybody!

Yeah! Yeah! No oppression Turn me around Turn me around Ain't gonna let oppression turn me around I'm gonna keep on a-walkin' Keep on a-talkin' Marchin' up to Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Won't let no war turn us around Turn me around Turn me around Ain't gonna let no war turn me around I got to keep on a-walkin' Keep on a-talkin' Marchin' up to freedom land Ain't gonna let intolerance Turn me around No Turn me around No Turn me around Ain't gonna let intolerance Turn me around I'm gonna Keep on a-walkin' I'm gonna Keep on a-talkin' I'm gonna Marchin' up to freedom land Let nobody Turn me around Turn me around Turn me around Yeah, whoo Turn me around I'm gonna Keep on a-walkin' I'm gonna Keep on a-talkin' Hey Marchin' up to freedom land Don't you let nobody Turn me around Turn you around Turn me around Turn you around Turn me around Don't you let nobody Turn me around I'm gonna Keep on a-walkin' I'm gonna Keep on a-talkin' Yeah Marchin' up to freedom land I'm gonna Keep on a-walkin' I'm gonna Keep on a-talkin' Hey Marchin' up to freedom land I'm gonna Keep on a-walkin' I'm gonna Keep on a-talkin' Marchin' up to freedom land Yeah, Lord.

Cheers and applause

...two, one, two. If you're ready Tell me if you're ready now Oh, if you're ready Oh, come on go with me No hatred Come go with me Will be tolerated Come go with me Oh, peace and love Come go with me Will grow between the races Come go with me Love is the only transportation To where there's total communication If you Come go with me Oh, get ready now Come go with me You feel you're able Come go with me Take me by my hand, y'all Come go with me No disaster Come go with me Will ever enter there Come go with me No wars Come go with me Would ever be declared Come go with me No economical exploitation And no political domination If you Come go with me Oh, get ready now Come go with me You think you're able Come go with me Take me by the hand, y'all Come go with me Oh, get on up out there. Oh, oh, now genocide Come go with me Lord, get ready now Come go with me Troublemaker Come go with me Now get ready now Come go with me Oh, yeah Oh, liars Come go with me Oh, I'm waitin' on you Come go with me Oh, backstabbers now Come go with me Why won't you come with me? Come go with me I said, don't bother me Come go with me Oh, well, quit your system troublin' Come go with me Yeah, oh, yeah Oh, we're retiring Come go with me Oh, go with me Come go with me Well, if you want to be free Come go with me Whoa, come go with me, darling Come go with me Oh, now, come with me Come go with me Well, I'm just movin' on Come go with me Oh And I'm movin' on Come go with me Oh, let's move it, I'm groovin' on Come go with me I can't help it but I'm movin' on Come go with me Yeah, and I've got to move, y'all Come go with me Yeah

Cheers and applause

Marchin' on the freedom highway Marchin' each and every day We go marchin' on the freedom highway Marchin' each and every day Made up my mind And I won't turn around I made up my mind And I won't turn around Come on! Oh, there's just one thing March That I can't understand, my friend Marchin' Why some folks think that freedom is not designed for every man Marchin' There's so many people March Living their lives perplexed Marchin' Wonderin' in their minds Mind What's gonna happen next We are marchin' on freedom highway Oh, yeah Oh, marchin' each and every day Oh, yeah We are marchin' on the freedom highway We're marchin' each and every day I made up my mind and I won't turn around No, I won't I made up my mind And I won't turn around Ooooh Five dead bodies in the forest Tallahatchie rivers and lakes Marchin' People all over this world are wondering what's wrong with the United States Marchin' Yes, we want peace March If it can be found We're gonna stay on this freedom highway March We ain't gonna turn around Do ya, do ya think I'm livin' for the right man March He said we shall overcome Gonna march on freedom highway March 'Til our work is done We are marchin'... On freedom highway Ahhhhhh! Marchin' each and every day Day, day, day Yeah March I'm gonna hold it in my hand Highway Well, I can see it from here Marchin' Don't know how we're gonna get there But I know, I know we surely will Marchin' Yeah And I won't turn around I made up my mind Oh, yeah And I won't turn around Ooh, yeah Made up my mind Gonna keep on marchin' I won't turn around On the freedom highway Made up my mind Freedom highway And I won't turn around Around Around, round, round Round Round, round Yeah Yeah Yes, I know Round Yeah, I know Oh, yeah Hi, everyone.

Thank you. Mavis, congratulations.

Cheers and applause

God bless, everyone. Thank you.

Cheers and applause

[ Mavis Staples' "The Weight" plays ] She has such a special, deep voice. We're all born with voices -- some people can sing, some people just have a beautiful voice, but then, it's infused with your life and everything that you lived through, and it becomes something else. And her voice is such a beautiful, deep instrument because of who she is. But there's something about that low voice that is just so powerful, so real, and just comes out completely uncensored, you know.

It stretches from the lowest octave to the -- you know, just the amount of ferocity and tenderness in her voice. She gets to the essence of the song and just gets way underneath the emotion and carries it to the surface. There's really nobody who sings like her. The great thing about Mavis is she's in such a league of her own that you never really feel like you're ever gonna -- you're ever gonna threaten it anyway, so just do what you do and hers will still be the Mona Lisa of what it is, which is fine, you know.

You know, she'll show up at the sound -- right before the sound check and go, "Boy, I got nothing. I got nothing." And then, you know, 15 minutes later, she's out on stage singing as if she's got enough -- she's like a 25-year-old up on stage. Mavis digs in just a little bit deeper than -- you know, than anybody else, I think that's fair to say, actually. Gives it her all, every single night.

She's like a benchmark of soul and of authenticity. You know, with some old school, just right on singin' about the Lord from her heart. It's not just power -- that doesn't quite do it. It's this direct line to your inner life.

She's plugged into you, you know? She'll bring you to places where she's been, you know? That's the only way I can explain it. She's seen -- She's seen it, you know?

And she'll let you know it. You can feel it in her voice, yeah. I've never ever heard a singer do such a great job of expressing emotion, spirituality, social consciousness all at once. You know, music can be a lot of things, but in its deepest expression, it is about connecting us with the infinite and with something larger than ourselves, and I think that just about everything Mavis has ever done has really been predicated on that.

A historic performer, you know, in so many ways. I think her voice will be heard many years after we're all gone, yeah.

Cheers and applause

I was standing by my window On a cold and cloudy day When I saw the hearse come rollin' Oh, to carry my mother away Away Will the circle be unbroken? By and by Lord, by and by > Well There's a better home a-waitin' In the sky Lord, yeah The sky Sing your song! Well I told the undertaker Well? "Undertaker, won't you please drive slow Yeah!

'Cause that lady that you're haulin' Lord, I hate to see her go" Yeah Will Will the circle Will it be unbroken? Yeah By and by, Lord, by and by Byyyyyy and by There's a better home a-waitin' In the sky, Lord, in the sky Sing your song! So I followed Yeah. Close behind her Tried to hold up and be brave Be brave Well Nor that I could not I could not Hide my sorrow Hide my sorrow When they laid her in the grave Yeah Y'all!

Will the circle be unbroken? Be unbroken By and by, Lord, by and by Well, oh, well, oh, well, oh, well There's a better There's a better Home a-waitin' Home a-waitin' In the sky, Lord, in the sky Sing your song! I went back home Yeah! My home was lonesome Yeah Missed my mother She was gone Yeah!

All my brothers and sisters crying In our home so sad and alone Tell me, tell me, tell me will Will the circle be unbroken? By and by, Lord, by and by Well, well Well There's a better home a-waitin' In the sky, Lord, in the sky Sing my song! We sang the songs Well Of all our childhood Hymns of faith, faith that made us strong Yeah Wanna draw others to hear the angels, just a-hear them angels sing along Oooh Tell me, tell me, tell me Will the circle Will Be Be unbroken? Be unbroken And the body!

By and by, Lord, by and by Sing the song! There's a better There's a better, there's a better Home a-waitin' Home a-waitin' In the sky, Lord, in the sky Come on, y'all, everybody sing! Hey! Will the circle be unbroken By and by, Lord, by and by Put your hands together.

Put your hands together. There's a better Let me hear you! Home a-waitin' In the sky, Lord, in the sky One more, one more time! Will the circle Will the circle Will it be unbroken?

Be unbroken? By and by, Lord, by and by There's a better home a-waitin' In the sky, Lord, in the sky Sky Oh, in the sky Oh, yeah The sky Sky Sky Ohhh Oh-oooh Thank you. Thank you! Thank you!

Chicago! Thank you!

Cheers and applause

What about the time You were rollin' over Fallin' on your face? You must be having fun Walk lightly Think of a time You'd best believe This thing is real Put away that gun This part is simple Try to recognize What is in your mind God help us Help us lose our minds These slippery people Help us understand What's the matter with him? He's all right How do you know? The Lord won't mind Can't play no games He's all right Love from the bottom to the top, turn like a wheel He's all right See for yourself The Lord won't mind We're gonna move Right now, turn like a wheel inside a wheel I remember when Sittin' in the tub Pulled out the plug The water was runnin' out Cool down Stop actin' crazy They're gonna leave And we'll be on our own Seven times five Seven times five We're living creatures Watch 'em come to life Right before your eyes Backsliding How do you do?

These slippery people Gonna see you through What's the matter with him? He's all right How do you know? The Lord won't mind Can't play no games He's all right Love from the bottom to the top, turn like a wheel He's all right See for yourself The Lord won't mind We're gonna move Right now, turn like a wheel inside a wheel Ha! Yeah!

Whoo! Ooh! Whoo! Whoo!

Scatting

Hey! Hey! What's the matter with him? He's all right The Lord won't mind He's all right Love from the bottom to the top He's all right The Lord won't mind Right now, turn like a wheel inside a wheel What's the matter with him?

He's all right How do you know? The Lord won't mind Can't play no games He's all right Love from the bottom to the top, turn like a wheel He's all right We're gonna move The Lord won't mind We're gonna move Right now, turn like a wheel inside a wheel What's the matter with him? He's all right How do you know? The Lord won't mind Can't play no games He's all right Love from the bottom to the top, turn like a wheel He's all right See for yourself The Lord won't mind We're gonna move Right now, turn like a wheel inside a wheel Whoo!

Whoop! Whoop! Whoo! Whoo!

Whoo! He's all right He's all right Like a wheel inside a wheel inside a wheel He's all right Turn like a wheel He's all right He's all right He's all right Turn like a wheel inside a wheel inside a wheel Wheel A wheel, a wheel Inside a wheel Hey! Yeah! Yeah!

Cheers and applause

Whoo!

Chuckles

Arcade Fire! Happy birthday! Thank you.

Cheers and applause

We're gonna take ya back down memory lane. 1970!

Cheering

Chuckles

She wasn't even born. Unh-unh. 1971! Ow!

Oh, Lord, mm I know a place Y'all Ain't nobody cryin' No Ain't nobody worried No Ain't no smilin' faces Unh-unh, no Lyin' to the races No, no, no, no Help me, come on, come on Somebody, help me here I'll take you there Yeah, yeah, help me, y'all I'll take you there Oh, yeah, oh, hey Help me now I'll take you there Let me take you there I'll take you there Let me take you there I'll take you there Let me take you there I'll take you there Let me take you there I'll take you there Play it, Rick Play your your piano now All right Yeah Just do it, do it Come on now Play on it, play on it Rick, Rick, Rick, Rick, Rick, Rick, Rick, yeah, Rick Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah-huh, yeah-huh, yeah-huh, yeah-huh Yeah, Jeff Hey, Jeff, I need you here Help me out Come on now, Jeff All right Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dow What you doin'? Sockin' soul! Yeah, yeah, yeah Babe!

Cheering

Yeah Take us there Come on now, now, y'all Take us there I'll take you there Little bit louder now Take us there I'll take you there A little bit louder now Take us there I'll take you there Everybody Take us there I'll take you there Every-- Take us there I'll take you there Take us there I'll take you there Take us there I'll take you there Let me lead the way I'll take you there Let me lead the way I'll take you there Let me lead the way I'll take you there Let me lead the way I'll take you there Let me, let me, let me, let me, let me, let me, let me I'll take you there

Cheers

Lead the way I'll take you there I'll take you there I'll take you there I'll take you there I'll take you there I'll take you there I'll take you there I'll take you there I'll take you there

Cheers and applause

Okay, you ready? Yes, ma'am. This is just -- You know --

Laughing

'Cause I'm happy

Giggles

Laughter

Okay. Hi, I'm Mavis Staples.

Laughs

Anytime you see Mavis, you're gonna see a smile on my face. And when you smile, you make others smile. That's the way to do it. Well, the thing that makes Mavis so incredible to so many people across generations and musical styles is, first of all, just you can't separate the spirit that she imbues.

You know, she just is a shining burst of spiritual-- spirit. I think that's part of her magic is this incredible warmth and this incredible inclusiveness to her as a person and to her music and what her career has been about. All of the qualities that people respond to in Mavis that make her so special, the fact that she can walk into any room and make everyone feel better, that's, to me, like a living angel. She's sweet, authentic, grateful, appreciative.

All the qualities that make a great artist and a great singer and a great person. An ambassador. And she's truly a lovely, gracious person. And I love her.

I mean, that's just... We really love Mavis. She's really just one of the most instantly, you know, warm, always remembers your name, like, most beautiful woman. Is sweet to everybody and always grateful and always feeling blessed and blessing everybody else.

And, you know, how could you be cranky around Mavis? She's just so positive. Everything is so positive. For Mavis, it's just fun.

She's fun all the time. And her humor. She's funny. She is always funny.

She's always game to be able -- You can talk to her about anything, you know. She's funny. And she's very silly, and I think that that's like a huge part of the trick, too. You know?

She's so delightful. I do know that her name for me is Amy, Amylou, and that's okay with me. She can call me whatever she wants. I mean, if Mavis Staples asked me to go to her house and do dishes, I would do it, but when she tells you to come sing into the same microphone as her, you do it.

Laughs

I love you, Mavis. I love you, I love you, I love you, Mavis. When this show is over, the last song, I'm gonna scream to know not what. I'm gonna let it all hang out.

I pulled into Nazareth I was feelin' 'bout half past dead I just needed to find a place where I can lay my head "Mister, can you tell me where a girl might find a bed?" He just grinned, shook my hand "No," was all he said Take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And And And You put the load right on me Picked up my bag I went lookin' for a place to hide When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side Yeah! I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown" Yeah! She said, "I got to go, but my friend can stick around" Take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And And And You put the load right on me Put the load on me Go down, Moses There's nothin' you can say It's just ol' Luke And Luke's waitin' on the Judgment Day "Well, Luke, my friend What about young Anna Lee?" He said, "Do me a favor, son Won't ya stay and keep Anna Lee company?" Take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And And And You put the load, put the load right on me Put the load on me Crazy Chester followed me And he caught me in the fog He said, "I'm gonna fix you right if you take Jack If you take Jack, my dog" I said, "Wait a minute, Chester You know I'm a peaceful man" He said, "That's okay, boy Won't you feed him when you can?" Take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And And And You put the load right on me Put the load on me Yeah, yeah Catch a cannonball now To take me on down the line Sing it! My bag is sinkin' low And I do believe that it's time To get back to Miss Fanny Oh, you know she's the only one Sent me here with her regards for everyone Take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load Take a load off, Fanny Yeah!

And And And Put the load right on me Put the load Put the load, put the load Put the load on me Put the load, put the load Put the load on me Yeah, yeah Put the load, put the load Put the load, put the load Put the load, put the load Put the load, put the load Put the load, put the load Put the

Vocalizing

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Chuckles

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Oh Whoo! Yeah!

Cheers and applause

Cheers and applause

"I'll Take You There" plays