Sad and Beautiful World

アメリカ音楽界の至宝であり、世代を超えて愛される歌姫メイヴィス・ステイプルズ。
豪華ゲストが参加した通算14作目となるソロ・アルバム『Sad And Beautiful World』。

ブラッド・クックがプロデュースした『Sad And Beautiful World』には、昨今の情勢をテーマにしたオリジナル曲の他、トム・ウェイツ、スパークルホース、ギリアン・ウェルチ、カーティス・メイフィールド、フランク・オーシャンらによる不朽の名曲をカヴァー/再構築した作品全10曲を収録。コラボレーターには、バディ・ガイ、ボニー・レイット、ジェフ・トゥイーディー、デレク・トラックス、ケイティ・クラッチフィールド、MJレンダーマン、ジャスティン・ヴァーノンらが名を連ねている。

ブルース、ロック、ゴスペルの分野で数々の殿堂入りを果たし、ケネディ・センター名誉賞受賞、そして生涯功労賞を含む数々のグラミー賞受賞という、音楽史に残る偉人メイヴィス・ステイプルズ。彼女はボブ・ディランからプリンス、アレサ・フランクリン、ウィリー・ネルソンまで、同時代のほぼすべての著名人と共演し、後世の無数のスターたちとも共演している。

Mavis Staples first album since 2019 features one song written specifically for her. A solemn ballad composed by Allison Russell and Hozier, "Human Mind" starts by lamenting wildfires and war while promoting love and resolve. It takes a personal turn in the second verse: "I dealed in loss, daddy/I am the last, daddy/Last of us/Aint always easy to believe/I miss my family, daddy." Moved to tears when the song was presented to her, Staples naturally delivers it, low and grainy, as if the image of her father Pops is clear in her mind. Its no surprise that Staples puts as much of herself into the rest of the songs. The selections span over 60 years, and in most cases suit Staples as much as those who first recorded them. That voice, comforting as ever, is carefully framed throughout by production from Brad Cook. He brings in a group of associates that involves brother and fellow muti-instrumentalist Phil Cook, drummer Matt McCaughan, and Nathan Stocker, who along with Rick Holmstrom (Staples bandleader) lends much of the guitar work. The likes of MJ Lenderman and Jeff and Spencer Tweedy occasionally spell some of the primary instrumentalists. Theres some extra percussion and a little bit of brass and woodwinds, but nothing is overdressed, and numerous background voices foster the communal, down-home feel. Opening the album like a splash of cold water to the face, Tom Waits first-person migration narrative "Chicago" has some parallels with Pops Staples life story. Its told here with all the necessary locomotive energy, generated in part by the guitars of fellow Windy City transplant Buddy Guy and Derek Trucks (on slide). What follows is a patiently paced sequence of smartly chosen, intensely contemplative ballads. Staples and the players tie the disparate sources together such that they resemble the effort of one songwriting team. Two of the songs that are farthest apart -- "Satisfied Mind," popularized by Porter Wagoner, and "Godspeed," premiered on Frank Oceans Blonde -- exemplify the albums philosophical and affirmational qualities. Its chilling to have Curtis Mayfields "We Got to Have Peace" and Kevin Morbys "Beautiful Strangers," respectively a Vietnam War protest and a response to mass shootings and racist police brutality, sit together despite a half-century difference in origin. Eddie Hintons "Everybody Needs Love" (1986) is the most obscure inclusion by far, and its an apt finale with a sense of uplift aided by the voices of Bonnie Raitt (also on slide guitar), Katie Crutchfield (aka Waxahatchee), Nathaniel Rateliff, and Patterson Hood (of Drive-By Truckers, who covered the song). A vibrant mix of gospel, blues, country, soul, and rock, this is roots music that speaks to the present with compassionate, life-affirming power. Its yet another artistic triumph for the Black American music and Civil Rights icon. ~ Andy Kellman

86歳にして芸歴78年(!)の伝説的な……というか伝説そのもののソウル・シンガー。アンタイからの安定した内容で、バディ・ガイを筆頭にボニー・レイット、デレク・トラックス、MJレンダーマン、ジャスティン・ヴァーノン……と、いつも以上に豪華なバックアップ陣も主役の魂に各々の心を添える。トム・ウェイツからカーティス・メイフィールドまで選曲の意図も深く味わいたい名盤!
bounce (C)狛犬