AMG Review of Uncloudy Day/Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Ron Wynn
All Music Guide

The Staple Singers brilliantly fused gospel, folk, blues, and soul into a cohesive, commercially potent sound in the '50s and '60s. They perfected this approach during their tenure at Vee-Jay, the first label that fully presented their harmonies and allowed the twangy, expert guitar licks of Roebuck "Pop" Staples to be heard in the group's mix. This single disc contains two pivotal Staples albums; Uncloudy Day includes such gospel favorites as "I Know I Got Religion" and "Let Me Ride," while Will the Circle Be Unbroken offers the splendid title track, plus masterpieces like "Pray On" and "Come Up in Glory."