The Best of the Staple Singers

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
After making their mark in the early '60s with gospel, folk, and social-protest songs, the Staples joined the Stax label in 1968. These 16 cuts find the Staples straddling the sacred and secular worlds, offering positive-message songs that aren't explicitly religious. Backed by the rock-solid grooves of Stax's urgent soul, the Staples produce a series of buoyant, infectious numbers. With Mavis's gritty, emotionally charged lead vocals in command, they roll through horn-driven celebrations such as "I'll Take You There" and "We'll Get Over" plus superb covers of "Dock of the Bay" and "The Weight." Pops's warm lead vocals grace earthy self-affirmations including "Respect Yourself" and "Be What You Are." These "secular spirituals" deftly combine socially conscious lyrics with joyous melodies. --Marc Greilsamer

The Best of the Staple Singers, Music, The Staple Singers, Gospel, Pop, Soul, Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues, Southern Gospel, United States of America
The Best of the Staple Singers
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The Staple Singers will take you there!
  • The Best of the Staple Singers
  • munchenlied
  • Soulful gospel
  • Truly Spiritual Music
 The Best of the Staple Singers
The Staple Singers
Manufacturer: Fantasy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000000XGX
Release Date: 1991-11-07

Tracks:

  1. Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)
  2. You've Got To Earn It
  3. Love Is Plentiful
  4. This World
  5. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
  6. The Weight
  7. Respect Yourself
  8. We'll Get Over
  9. I'll Take You There
  10. Oh La De Da
  11. Be What You Are
  12. This Old Town (People In This Town)
  13. If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)
  14. Touch A Hand (Make A Friend)
  15. My Main Man
  16. City In The Sky

Amazon.com essential recording

After making their mark in the early '60s with gospel, folk, and social-protest songs, the Staples joined the Stax label in 1968. These 16 cuts find the Staples straddling the sacred and secular worlds, offering positive-message songs that aren't explicitly religious. Backed by the rock-solid grooves of Stax's urgent soul, the Staples produce a series of buoyant, infectious numbers. With Mavis's gritty, emotionally charged lead vocals in command, they roll through horn-driven celebrations such as "I'll Take You There" and "We'll Get Over" plus superb covers of "Dock of the Bay" and "The Weight." Pops's warm lead vocals grace earthy self-affirmations including "Respect Yourself" and "Be What You Are." These "secular spirituals" deftly combine socially conscious lyrics with joyous melodies. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The Staple Singers will take you there!.......2007-01-26

There's something about music that touches the soul and this cd does that and more. It takes you back before rap and disco to the time when a simple groove was just fine. A must for any cd collection.

5 out of 5 stars The Best of the Staple Singers .......2006-08-29

Gospel at its Best...Soul at its Best...Encouragement at its Best...

5 out of 5 stars munchenlied.......2006-02-23

Truly wonderful material...pre-protest...pre-rap...careful, you might find yourself singing along while experiencing a near uncontrollable urge to boogie...!

4 out of 5 stars Soulful gospel.......2005-07-17

There are several numbers that don't really distinguish themselves, but the many that hit, hit hard. "I'll Take You There" belongs on a short list of the best songs ever recorded. Another titanic achievement is "If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)." There are also fine covers of "The Weight" and "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay." The rest of the disc consists of fine songs well performed but fails to reach those heights.

5 out of 5 stars Truly Spiritual Music.......2004-07-27

In their writing, singing, playing and production, these tracks epitomize love, positivity and soul and simply ooze with groove. The family's harmonies will give you chills, their message will give you hope, and the legendary Muscle Shoals rhythm section could bring new life to the rhytmically dead.

If you buy this CD it will be one of the funkiest and most uplifting in your collection - The Staple Singers will truly Take You There.
The Very Best of the Staple Singers
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Very Best of the Staple Singers
    The Staple Singers
    Manufacturer: Stax
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
    GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000QUCQEM
    Release Date: 2007-06-19

    Tracks:

    1. Long Walk to D.C.
    2. Ghetto
    3. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
    4. When Will We Be Paid
    5. Brand New Day (Theme from the Landlord)
    6. Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom)
    7. Love Is Plentiful
    8. Who Took the Merry out of Christmas
    9. You've Got to Earn It
    10. Respect Yourself
    11. I'll Take You There
    12. This World
    13. Oh La de Da
    14. Be What You Are
    15. If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)
    16. Touch a Hand, Make a Friend
    17. City in the Sky
    18. My Main Man/There Is a God
    19. Back Road into Town
    20. I Got to Be Myself
    The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 3
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 3
      Various Artists
      Manufacturer: Collectables
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
      GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
      GospelGospel | Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
      GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 4
      2. The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 1
      3. The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 2

      ASIN: B000058T9W
      Release Date: 2001-02-27

      Tracks:

      1. Stand By Me - The Soul Stirrers
      2. There Will Be No Seperation - The Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi
      3. Amazing Grace - Maceo Woods
      4. Beside Of A Neighbor - The Lunenberg Travelers
      5. How Great Thou Art - Billy Preston
      6. Just Can't Help It - Marion Williams & The Stars Of Faith
      7. Pray On - The Staple Singers
      8. This Is My Light - The Highway QC's
      9. What Could I Do - The Lunenberg Travelers
      10. Nothing Less Than Jesus - The Boyer Brothers
      11. Room In Heaven For Me - The Gospel Harmonettes
      12. Don't Forget The Bridge - The Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi
      13. Sunday Morning - Maceo Woods
      14. Heavenly Father - The Patterson Singers
      15. Jesus Is The Light - Charles Taylor
      16. I've Been In The Storm - The Harmonizing Four
      17. All Up There - The Five Blind Boys
      18. I Won't Let Go - The Gospel Harmonettes
      19. Soul Salvation - The Caravans
      20. Jubilee - The Harmonizing Four
      The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 2
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 2
        Various Artists
        Manufacturer: Collectables
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
        GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
        GospelGospel | Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
        GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 4
        2. The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 3
        3. The Best of Vee-Jay Gospel, Vol. 1

        ASIN: B000058T9V
        Release Date: 2001-02-27

        Tracks:

        1. Ain't That Good News - The Staple Singers
        2. I'm Willing To Run - The Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi
        3. Nearer To Thee - The Highway QC's
        4. Everytime I Feel The Spirit - The Pilgrim Travelers
        5. Jesus Is Mine - The Interns
        6. More Like Jesus - The Swan Silvertones
        7. Let The Light Keep Burning - The Boyer Brothers
        8. I Could Tell The World - The Newberry Singers
        9. What He's Done For Me - The Five Blind Boys Of Alabama
        10. Time Is Winding Up - The Kingdom Bound Singers
        11. Up Above My Head - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
        12. Going Home - The Argo Singers
        13. Brighter Day Ahead - The Gospel Harmonettes
        14. I Can't Make The Journey By Myself - The Gospel Harmonettes
        15. It's Real - Marion Williams/The Stars Of Faith
        16. Old Ship Of Zion - Sallie Martin Singers
        17. My Lord What A Morning - The Harmonizing Four
        18. The Bible Tells Me So - The Five Blind Boys
        19. What Prayer Can Do - The Boyer Brothers
        20. I'll Trust In His Word - The Highway QC's
        Very Best of the Staple Singers
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Very Best of the Staple Singers
          The Staple Singers
          Manufacturer: Universal
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          Traditional BluesTraditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music
          GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
          R&BR&B | Imports | Stores | Music
          ASIN: B000QUCXJU
          Release Date: 2007-08-06
          The Very Best Of The Staple Singers, Vol. 1
          Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
          • not what I was hoping for...
          		 The Very Best Of The Staple Singers, Vol. 1
          The Staple Singers
          Manufacturer: Collectables
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
          GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
          SoulSoul | Live Albums | R&B | Styles | Music
          GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music
          SoulSoul | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music
          ASIN: B000000955
          Release Date: 1998-03-10

          Tracks:

          1. Intro
          2. Ease On Down The Road
          3. Let's Do It Again
          4. If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)
          5. Why Am I Treated So Bad
          6. Don't Knock
          7. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
          8. Let's Go Home
          9. He's Alright
          10. Touch A Hand, Make A Friend
          11. Closing Announcement Encore

          Customer Reviews:

          2 out of 5 stars not what I was hoping for..........2005-06-08

          Based on the brief review in the All Music guides to both Soul and Blues, I thought this was going to be material from their early Vee-Jay period.

          Not at all! It's hopped-up post-Stax R&B, with Larry Graham style slapped bass & heavy drumming. If that's what you're after, this may qualify as 5 star material.

          As for me... I'd rather drink muddy water & sleep in a hollow log.

          In the typical "Collectables" tradition, there's no info concerning when or where this was recorded, or any details as to who wrote any of the songs.

          (But if you want some great 60's Gospel, the Collectables Vee-Jay two-fors are highly recommended.)
          The Very Best Of The Staple Singers, Vol. 2
          Average customer rating: 1 out of 5 stars
          • Don't Buy It
          		 The Very Best Of The Staple Singers, Vol. 2
          The Staple Singers
          Manufacturer: Collectables
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
          GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
          GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music
          SoulSoul | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music
          ASIN: B000000956
          Release Date: 1998-03-10

          Tracks:

          1. Pray
          2. Too Close
          3. Don't Drive Me Away
          4. Swing Down Sweet Chariot
          5. Uncloudy Day
          6. Love Is On The Way
          7. I'm Leaving
          8. On My Way To Heaven
          9. I Know I Got Religion
          10. This May Be The Last
          11. Two Wings
          12. The Day Has Passed And Gone

          Customer Reviews:

          1 out of 5 stars Don't Buy It.......2003-02-27

          Shame on somebody for releasing this product. Let me be clear, I am a big Staple Singer fan. However the quality of this recording is horrible. It sounds like someone sat in the audience with a portable tape recorder & somehow the recording ended up on CD. One track actually has crackle in the backround where it was obviously recorded from an LP. I have to wonder if the group approved this release. The label is called Collectable, but this disc is more like a throw-away. I can't believe the label had the nerve to include an offer for their catalog of other releases. I am disappointed to end up with such a product...

          Music:

          1. The Christmas Sessions
          2. The First Decade, 1983-1993
          3. The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin [Live]
          4. There Will Be a Light [Enhanced]
          5. Two Lefts Don't Make a Right.. But Three Do [Enhanced]
          6. Unclassified [Enhanced]
          7. Undone
          8. Vol. 2-Rock-a-Bye Collection
          9. Welcome to Diverse City [Enhanced]
          10. Welcome to the World

          Music

          Music