Mavis Staples – Have a Little Faith Alligator ALCD 4899 (2004)
Mavis Staples had something of a late career resurgence with a number of well-received recordings. Have a Little Faith came just before that resurgence. While she sings well (of course!), the album as a whole is dull. The songs frequently employ slick formula and cliches as if they are impressive, without any self-awareness or irony. There is simply too much to take away from Mavis’ voice. Pass on this and proceed to what came next, the warm and endearing We’ll Never Turn Back.