Hot on the heels of our release roundup feature on archive footage videos, we’re pleased to see that Mavis Staples has delved into her archives to find a gem. It’s a joyous video of Mavis Staples and Levon Helm performing a cover of Nina Simone‘s I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free. Unbeknownst to them, it was one of Helm’s last ever recordings.
“It never crossed my mind that it might be the last time we’d see each other. He was so full of life and so happy that week. He was the same old Levon I’d always known, just a beautiful spirit inside and out.”
Mavis Staples
Poignantly, Mavis Staples and Levon Helm recorded This May Be The Last Time during their week together at Levon Helm Studios in New York. Since Helm was the drummer and a vocalist in The Band, they also covered their perennial classic The Weight.
Twelve recordings from that magical week in 2011 have now been compiled on the album Carry Me Home. It’s due out on ANTI- Records on May 20, 2022.
Mavis Staples and Levon Helm – Carry Me Home tracklisting
- This Is My Country
- Trouble In My Mind
- Farther Along
- Hand Writing On The Wall
- I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
- Move Along Train
- This May Be The Last Time
- When I Go Away
- Wide River To Cross
- You Got To Move
- You Got To Serve Somebody
- The Weight
Mavis Staples tour dates
- 11 June, 2022 – Kite Festival, Kidlington
- 13 June, 2022 – Subscription Rooms, Stroud
- 14 June, 2022 – Usher Hall, Edinburgh
- 16 June, 2022 – Union Chapel, London
- 17 June, 2022 – Union Chapel, London
- 19 June, 2022 – Isle of Wight Festival, Newport
Levon’s daughter and Midnight Ramble Band member Amy Helm will be joining Mavis for the concerts in Stroud, Edinburgh, and London. Amy will also be headlining shows at The Louisiana in Bristol on June 11 and St Pancras Old Church in London on June 20.
Check out musiccloseup.com for more music news and reviews.