MOG Editorial Review

Featuring Pops Staples alongside his four children (Cleotha, Pervis, Yvonne, and, most famously, Mavis), The Staple Singers were one of the greatest soul/gospel groups of the '60s. With rambling guitars, syncopated rhythms, and plenty of call-and-response, Swing Low Sweet Chariot is pure, ecstatic gospel. But, there are also quieter moments, such as the downtrodden "Uncloudy Day," featuring a sneak peak at Mavis' powerful pipes. While The Staple Singers wouldn't attain greater success until the release of later, more pop-focused music, Chariot offers an essential look at their eralier, more soulful incarnation.