fantastic performance
by jo on 10/27/22Bijou Theatre - KnoxvilleMavis is such an icon and she performed as such. In addition her connection with the guitarist was almost a spiritual experience.
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MAVIS STAPLES IN CONCERT:
Gospel and R&B icon Mavis Staples gives fans a funky piece of her mind every time she takes the stage to perform her empowering and soulful songs. Staplesí commanding voice and confident showmanship is legendaryóin the early ë60s she caught the eye of folk hero Bob Dylan, and the two briefly dated before their paths diverged in the middle of the decade. Now theyíre embarking on a different kind of relationshipóas tour mates. Staples will accompany Dylan on his summer 2016 tour, treating ticket buyers to a powerhouse double billing that combines the best of folk and R&B. In concert Staples is a force of nature, delivering her world-wise lyrics with plenty of passion and attitude while her backing band kicks out red-hot grooves. Itís a sultry, sassy, and majorly soulful concert experience that leaves no doubt Staples remains at the height of her powers.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Chicago-born Mavis Staples grew up performing in her familyís gospel band The Staples, singing at local churches and appearing on regional radio programs. The family scored a hit in 1956 with ìUncloudy Dayî, and when Mavis graduated high school the following year they went on tour. Thanks to Mavisí powerful voice and her fatherís sharp songwriting, the group enjoyed widespread success in the mid-ë60s, becoming one of the primary musical voices of the civil rights movement. Around that time Mavis struck up a relationship with Bob Dylan, who even proposed to her before she married Spencer Leak in 1964. Mavis made her solo debut in 1969 with a self-titled release on Stax Records then went on to collaborate with Curtis Mayfield in the ë70s, and in the ë80s she joined forces with Prince, who produced 1989ís funky Time Waits for No One and 1993ís critically acclaimed The Voice. In addition to her spiritual gospel output Mavis has remained musically adventurous over the years, collaborating with Bob Dylan on the GRAMMY-nominated 2003 song ìGotta Change My Way of Thinkingî and even making a foray into Americana with Jeff Tweedy, who produced her GRAMMY Award-winning 2010 album You Are Not Alone.
Mavis is such an icon and she performed as such. In addition her connection with the guitarist was almost a spiritual experience.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity and privilege to be in the presence of authentic greatness. Mavis Staples and her band gave us a priceless gift!
My kids gave us tickets for our anniversary - what a great way to celebrate 43 years of marriage!
The theater was nice. Getting and managing tickets was a little difficult. I thought the performance was very good especially the main guitarist. I wished she had sung some older songs rather than alot of social issue songs. I know she’s elderly but concert seemed short especially for the costs. Event staff very good at handling a lady in front who wanted to stand and dance and then tried to go toward the stage during the concert. Overall a nice evening.
This was my first time seeing Mavis Staples & her wonderful band play live & it was a wonderful experience from start to finish. Mavis is a national treasure, and a living legend! So glad I went!
Thank you Mavis for an uplifting evening and for decades of soothing our souls. So wonderful to see you for the first time and get into the groove with your band, everyone sounding great! We owe you and your family a debt for the music that has brought thousands closer together. We will never forget your passion on Let’s Do It Again and the timeless Respect Yourself. So many wonderful messages through the music and such joy you bring. We love you!
The show started and ended with Mavis Staples and her band. Ms. Staples entertained, sang passionately (sometimes playfully) from the heart, connected immediately with her audience, offered up positive messages and pause for thought through the lyrics of the songs, and her personal rapport. The band and background vocalists were tight, grooved, and were very dynamic, playing and singing what was necessary to accompany Ms. Staples, no more, no less. Perfect. Me being a singer and musician, I left the show feeling inspired. Gotta love, Ms. Mavis Staples.
Mavis was fantastic. Sang all the greats and interacted with the audience. The band was tight and the guitarist was the best I’ve ever seen.
We were privileged to spend time in the same room with an American music icon. Mavis was wonderful, and the knowledge that she is older and tires more quickly just made the minutes more precious. Her band was perfect, her backup singers excellent. Mavis is absolutely inspiring.
At 83, Mavis had amazing energy and a voice that matched her earlier recordings. The band was great, the backup singers incredible. Mavis was inspiring and wonderful
So much fun. Everyone in the band was incredible, made you feel like they were having fun and liked each other and you and as a result you felt like you were friends just having g a great time. Music was wonderful and inspiring.
I was amazed and delighted from her first note. What a treat!! Her voice is as strong and beautiful as it has ever been. While she admittedly is slowing down somewhat, her vocals and attitude are absolutely 100%! Do not miss an opportunity to see her! She’s still got it going on!!
Mavis still has it!! She spoke her truth, sang and loved on us and her crew. We all felt better after being with her. Go see her if you have the chance!!! Mavis for president!!
Seats were a major disappointment as they had NO VIEW at all! They were sold as VIP, but that must mean "Video Instead of Person", as you could only see the performance on a TV screen. I paid extra for the opportunity to purchase seats early and these were listed as the best available. They did not say "Obstructed View" or really should say "No View", but VIP?. This was my first performance at this new venue. Jimmys is an incredible place if your seats has a view, but it seems like many do not have any view of the stage.
Timeless songs that have you clapping along and thinking about current issues. I wish I had her energy NOW, let alone when I’m even close to her age.
Great room. Great food. Great ambiance. Bring more shows to NH.
Everything was great. Loved the venue. Top notched staff. Good beer. Loved Mavis. Shewe did not disappoint. I can’t wait to see another show there.
Maybe it’s Ticketmaster, but the seating chart doesn’t really represent the venue very well. Obstructed seats weren’t well marked at purchase. But being in the same space as Mavis Staples was a once in a lifetime experience. I only wish I could have seen her other than on TV.
Every event at Jimmy’s in Portsmouth has been great. Mavis however elevated our experience to a new level … the word I’d use to describe it-community. We all were singing and dancing and enjoying ourselves - strangers became friends. Hope to see our table friends from Dover & Portsmouth again at another Jimmy’s event!
This event was completely inspirational. Amy Helm opened for Mavis Staples. Amy Helm is a great musician and her band is excellent. I would have loved it if she would have performed some movement songs due to the cause that the concert supported. However, she has her own successes and fans to address. Mavis Staples...who is a more inspirational performer and with a great, unique voice? This is Mavis Staples and she brings the whole of her life and experience into every song--it's blues, it's personal, it's political. Absolutely stunning, with a lot of emotional energy. Love her guitarists and singers!!