Unlock Your Mind

AMG Review of Unlock Your Mind

Andrew Hamilton
All Music Guide

Not one of their best, but it does feature two songs by singer/songwriter Paul Kelly, a cult favorite. Kelly should have gotten the Staples to sing more of his tunes because they sound better interpreting them than he does. Kelly's "God Can" and "Don't Burn Me," benefit from the singing and recording technique; Kelly's own recordings sounded like he cut them in a closet. The productions by Jerry Wexler and Barry Becket are first-class but the material is third-rate. Other than the two Paul Kelly songs, "Leave It All Up to Love," and the percolating "Chica Boom," there's nothing else to get excited about.