The title Sad and Beautiful World is a sad and beautiful way to characterise a long life lived on the front lines of significant social and political movements. The new Mavis Staples album spans seven decades of the American songbook but even that doesn’t quite cover the longevity of her career!

Sad and Beautiful World: the 14th solo Mavis Staples album

Born in 1939, Mavis Staples has been singing since the age of eight.

She’s been inducted into the blues, rock, and gospel halls of fame. She’s a Kennedy Center Honoree. She’s won multiple GRAMMYs, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. She’s collaborated with Prince, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Merchant and countless others.

“[She] was pulling things out of my soul that I never knew were there.” 

– Bob Dylan

She was, of course, integral to one of the greatest videos on YouTube.

If you don’t get it first time, that’s normal. David Letterman explained: “This was Bob sending us a little message. As Paul [Shaffer, musical director] tells it, Bob agreed to be on the show but did not realise he would be accompanied by others…this was Bob’s way of having fun with us. It’s just delightful…especially as you’ve had half an hour of a guy telling you how important this piece of music is…you almost needed someone signing because it was so bizarre. Nice going, Bob!”

Now watch it again. Then again, but specifically watching Staples. Then once more, watching Roseanne Cash. Repeat as necessary until it becomes part of the fibre of your being.

Living legend

Mavis Staples came to prominence singing with her family’s band, The Staple Singers, and singing freedom songs during the Civil Rights era, including at the 1963 March on Washington. After all, not everyone can casually, truthfully say “back in the day, you know we were marching with Dr King.” Don’t miss this fascinating reminiscence and stunning performance.

She’s a true, non-hyperbolic national treasure so it’s remarkable that she’s still here singing for us, touring, and commenting on the politics of our times. At 86, she’s still out here choosing hope and expressing faith in humanity.

Human Mind

The first track recorded for this Mavis Staples album features the lyric: “Even in these days, I find/this far down the line/I find good in it sometimes.” Staples knows how hard-fought progress is and how easily it is lost. Still, hope is important.

Human Mind was co-written by Allison Russell and Hozier. Russell was inspired in her youth by Staples’ civil rights activism. When she was told that her lyric “I am the last, Daddy, the last of us” made Staples cry, Russell was deeply moved.

“Mavis is the transcendent force of love embodied. There is no higher honor than one of my biggest heroes being moved by words I wrote.”

– Allison Russell

Beautiful Strangers

Kevin Morby wholeheartedly agrees: “It isn’t easy to put into words what it feels like having one of the best, most important vocalists and cultural figures of both the 20th and 21st century sing one of my songs…I feel I have every right to say: her version is better.” You can compare for yourself, as if you need to.

“Hearing Mavis sing Beautiful Strangers is hands down the greatest moment and highest honor of my career.

Far beyond any kind of accolade or acclaim — having one of my biggest heroes sing something I wrote is the most validating and flattering thing that could ever happen to me as a songwriter and person. Thank you, Mavis.”

– Kevin Morby

How to produce a Mavis Staples album

Producer Brad Cook also grew up listening to The Staples Singers: “I remember being utterly floored by the conviction and power she had in her voice.” 

He resolved to scaffold every song around that voice to properly capture her phrasing and textured vocal without ever overshadowing or burying it. He focused on recording her vocals with spare skeleton recordings of just piano and drums before expanding on that framework, keeping the vocal central. Any additional contributor had to centre on Staples, as it should be.

“I just have to deliver the compassion I feel. I want to share the song the way I feel it.” 

– Mavis Staples

That’s not so say the contributors aren’t talented performers or even legends in their own right. It’s just that they understand how to serve the singer and the song. We’re talking about Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Tweedy, MJ Lenderman, Buddy Guy, Derek Trucks, Katie Crutchfield, Justin Vernon and more.

The Mavis Staples album Sad and Beautiful World was released on November 7, 2025.

Sad and Beautiful World tracklisting

1. Chicago
2. Beautiful Strangers
3. Sad and Beautiful World
4. Human Mind
5. Hard Times
6. Godspeed
7. We Got To Have Peace
8. Anthem
9. Satisfied Mind
10. Everybody Needs Love

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