Mavis Staples has announced that her 14th LP, Sad and Beautiful World, will arrive on November 7 via ANTI- Records. Produced by Brad Cook, the project includes original tracks as well as covers spanning the past seven decades, and features a number of guest appearances from artists such as Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Tweedy, Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Derek Trucks, Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield, MJ Lenderman, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, and more.
The first single, a cover of Kevin Morby’s loose 2020 track “Beautiful Strangers,” is out now. On the honor of having his song reworked by a living legend of soul, Morby commented: “It isn’t easy to put into words what it feels like having one of the best, most important vocalists and cultural figures of both the 20th and 21st century sing one of my songs. But hearing Mavis sing ‘Beautiful Strangers’ is hands down the greatest moment and highest honor of my career. Far beyond any kind of accolade or acclaim—having one of my biggest heroes sing something I wrote is the most validating and flattering thing that could ever happen to me as a songwriter and person. Thank you, Mavis.”
Check out “Beautiful Strangers” below, and pre-order Sad And Beautiful World here.
