Genre: soul
Rating: 2 stars **
Title: Pops Staples
Company: A&M
Catalog: 18380-1
Year: 1987
Country/State: Winoma, Mississippi
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: promo stamp on back cover
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5018
Price: $9.00
Co-produced by Staples and Curbie Mhoon, 1987's cleverly titled "Pops Staples" wasn't exactly his crowning creative moment. While you couldn't blame Staples for wanting to pursue popular success, the decision to cloak him in waves if syn-drums and other 'modern' arrangements simply wasn't a smart move. Staples certainly gave it his all, but on material like 'Tellin It Like It Is', 'This Thing Is Real' and 'Why' he was all but overwhelmed by Kinsey James programming, irritating background singers and fussy arrangements. Adding to the general weird feeling, on songs like 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and '' the combination of Staples' preachy lyrics and the funky tunes just didn't serve to showcase Staples at his best. Simply because they dropped some of the irritating updates showcasing Staples in a more stripped down setting the bluesy 'Trying Times', and the originals 'Love's Got the Best of Me' and ''Nobody's Fault But Mine' stood as the set's highpoints. All told, a major disappointment from an icon who deserved better treatment.
"Pops
Staples" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Tellin It Like It Is (Mike Hayward - Tony Mhoon) - 3:45
2.) This Thing Is Real (Art Turner) - 4:39
3.) A Little Bit of Happiness (Brenda Eager - Robert Bowles) - 3:18
4.)
Why (Roebuck Staples) - 3:57
(side
2)
1.) Jesus Christ Superstar (Roebuck Staples) - 3:57
2.) Trying Times (Leroy Hutson - Donny Hathaway) - 5:38
3.) Love's Got the Best of Me (Roebuck Staples) - 3:04
4.) Southern Style (Roebuck Staples - Mike Rice) - 3:38
5.) Nobody's Fault But Mine (Roebuck Staples) - 3:00