Wall Street Journal Premieres Pops Staples "Friendship"
The Wall Street Journal’s Speakeasy blog is premiering the soulful, inspirational song “Friendship” from the anticipated new POPS STAPLES album Don’t Lose This. The record, which comes out on February 17th via dBpm/Anti- features previously unreleased music by the late singer-guitarist with additional vocals from Staple Singers Mavis, Cleotha and Yvonne, as well as new production by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy.
Hear “Friendship” via The Wall Street Journal’s Speakeasy: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/category/music/
"When I listen to this song my mind goes back to when it was sent to us and Pops first heard it, “ Mavis says. “He loved it right off the bat. He put on his happy face, picked up his guitar and started working on it.”
Don’t Lose This features ten songs originally recorded and produced by Pops and Mavis in 1999 but left unfinished at the time of his death in 2000. The record boasts new production as well as bass and guitar by Jeff Tweedy, and new drums by Spencer Tweedy. Jeff previously collaborated with Mavis Staples on her solo releases, One True Vine and the Grammy-winning You Are Not Alone.
“I'm so happy and relieved to finally get it finished,” Mavis offers. “It's like I kept my promise to my father. When he said to me "Don't Lose This" I knew that meant let it be heard. I am so grateful for the help I've had from my friends in getting it finished and on being heard."