Throughout a disappointing solo career, Mavis Staples has never matched the stirring atmospherics of the family’s early gospel sides or the power of their ’70s funk albums on Stax. Against the odds, Have A Little Faith, her first album since the Prince-produced The Voice in 1993, is a minor gem. A good band and decent songs bring out the best in her still-smouldering voice. Best of all is the spooky acoustic blues “Dying Man’s Plea”, but the slow-burn funk of “Ain’t No Better Than You” and the moving tribute to her father, “Pop’s Recipe”, aren’t far behind.
NIGEL WILLIAMSON
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