Wilco's Jeff Tweedy is the mastermind behind this release from Mavis Staples, but without doubt the key ingredient is Staples' five-star soul-voice.
With the heritage from her dad, Pops Staples, and his classic gospel vocal group in the 1960s, Staples has done the family business proud. One True Vine
continues that tradition and represents a dream marriage between her and Tweedy, with him providing most of the lyrics and musical savvy, and Mavis contributing a voice unlike any other.
Staples, now well into her 70s, seems to have found a soul brother in Tweedy, this being the follow-up to their 2010 collaboration in You Are Not Alone.
Tweedy writes or rearranges songs from the public domain for many of the tracks here, with Pop Staples' I Like the Things About Me a standout.
The soundscape varies from an almost celestial choir approach on the religious-based tracks such as Holy Ghost, Jesus Wept and Woke Up This Morning With My Mind On Jesus, to more atmospheric arrangements.
