A marriage made in heaven.  Rarely has a phrase been so apt as in this instance.

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco produced and wrote two songs for gospel/soul legend Mavis Staples’ impending record, You Are Not Alone.  The record will be released on September 14th and features a couple of songs (including the telling title song) penned by Tweedy and recorded at Wilco’s Loft recording studios.

The Staples Singers were one of our favorite acts while growing up, and Mavis is carrying on the legacy of that justly-loved group.  It turns out Tweedy is a fan as well and jumped at the chance to work with Mavis.  The mutual respect between Mavis and Tweedy can be heard throughout You Are Not Alone.   Staples has said the session at the Loft was one of the most spiritual sessions she’s had.

Tweedy’s production defers to Mavis’s voice as the centerpiece of the record, but the mix of members of Mavis’s band, some Wilco members (Tweedy included), and others provides the perfect musical accompaniment.

(photo: Spencer Tweedy)

Check out the title track below.  We love these lines from the song:  “A broken home, a broken heart/isolated and afraid/open up, this is a raid/I wanna get it through to you/You’re not alone.” It’s not hard to believe that Mavis spilled some tears during the recording, as she has said.

Mavis Staples–You Are Not Alone

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/You_Are_Not_Alone.mp3|titles=You_Are_Not_Alone]

As an added bonus, here’s a great alternative take solo by Tweedy.

And here is Mavis and Tweedy together on the title track.

And finally, here are the Dynamic Duo discussing the project.