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9.0
111497
9.0 |
American Songwriter
It’s unusual when discussing legendary artists to recommend newcomers start with their most recent release, as opposed to cherry picking older tracks. But in the case of the phenomenal We Get By, novices to Staples’ iconic voice may want to begin here and work their way back
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9.0
111504
9.0 |
XS Noize
With our civil liberties being questioned and re-formed seemingly on a whim, We Get By is not an acceptance of injustice, as its title may suggest. It’s a guarantee that we all will get through adversity, and we will thrive. But first, we need to make — as the song title suggests — One More Change, starting with ourselves
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8.0
111571
8.0 |
All Music
Whether the songs are designed to motivate, mourn, or comfort, they're all sustenance. The everlasting potency of Staples' voice is a marvel
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8.0
111498
8.0 |
PopMatters
Mavis Staples has witnessed the great transformations that have been made in terms of race relations in American life. But she is not satisfied on We Get By.
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8.0
111500
8.0 |
Mojo
Mavis's voice is still strong and convincing. Print edition only
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8.0
111501
8.0 |
Uncut
A set that ranges from funky to subdued. It's a sparser affair than the Tweedy-produced trio. adding only backing voices to a bass/drum/guitar lineup in which Harper's searching playing provides the principal, sometimes sole counterpoint to Mavis's earthy, heartfelt vocals
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8.0
111502
8.0 |
Q
Staples's fire is undiminished. Print edition only
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8.0
111503
8.0 |
The Music
This one doesn’t just get by, it gets you up, on your feet, and into many a mood
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8.0
111586
8.0 |
Under The Radar
The electric charge of opening track "Change" sets an urgent tone from the outset: "Get it straight/Be sure that you hear/Gonna change around here." The only response is to listen for further instructions
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8.0
111745
8.0 |
Exclaim
A little more understated than her recent collaborations with Jeff Tweedy, who similarly wrote songs and produced them for Staples, We Get By is still a gem and Mavis Staples and Ben Harper clearly hit upon something special in working together
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7.5
111580
7.5 |
Pitchfork
The legendary singer has lost little expressiveness with age, but these songs are about the small, quiet spaces where she can catch her breath and steel her nerves
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7.0
111499
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
The gospel/R&B icon offers a plea for justice and investigates her own mythology
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6.0
111577
6.0 |
Spectrum Culture
We Get By, for the first time in the current Staples era, plays as a bit of a mixed bag
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