Seraphina Lotkhamnga on March 6th, 2011

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Frequent patrons of the Satellite in Silver Lake experienced a special gospel revival on Thursday night, courtesy of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy winner and soul legend Mavis Staples.

The artist who has been passionately testifying her spiritual and political beliefs through R&B for more than 60 years owned the room as soon as she closed her eyes, raised her left palm up to the heavens and launched into an a cappella version of the traditional “Wonderful Savior.” Religiosity aside, the uplift of the moment earned thunderous applause.

The 71-year-old legend was only getting started. Staples went on to perform a set that was heavy on material from her Jeff Tweedy-produced album, “You Are Not Alone,” which won a Grammy in February for best Americana album. The title track may be one of her more well-known tunes from her recent resurgence at festivals and on tour, but it was especially impossible to not have a connection with the song afterward. Reaching out to hold hands as she sang the lyrics, “Open up / This is a raid / I wan to get it through to you / You’re not alone,” it was apparent that her love, devotion and commitment all traveled like an electrical shock through only a few seconds of physical connection.

Upon finishing another Tweedy song, “Only the Lord Knows,” Staples talked up redemption, and it went down well with everyone grooving along to melodies of faith. To hear her claim, “To get to the truth, you got to go to the Lord,” was not surprising but Staples added a nice touch when she jokingly followed it up with,”…  or you can come to me. Sister Mavis will show you the truth!”

She powered through the rest of her set with that signature growl of hers. With the help of the Rick Holmstrom Band and her back-up vocalists (which included former Skylark member, Donny Gerrard), Staples went on to sing heartfelt covers such as Randy Newman’s “Losing You” and Rev. Gary Davis’ “I Belong to the Band.” However, the most affecting songs were the ones tied to her father, “Pops” Staples.

Gerrard did more than just suffice when he sang Pops’ verse in the Staple Singers’ rendition of the Band’s “The Weight” and Staples was pure conviction as she repeatedly slapped her chest during the lyrics, “You put the load right on me.” She went on to sing her father’s liberating “Freedom Highway” – a song which was written specifically for the American civil rights movement.

There was no encore, but there was closure – Staples finished her 90-minute excursion with the Staple Singers’ 1971 No. 1 hit, “I’ll Take You There.” “We’ve been taking you there for 60 years and we ain’t tired yet, ” she declared. And as the funk grew stronger under Staples’ invincible vocals, it was hard not to believe her.

Photos by Doug Kresse