Customer Reviews

Freedom Highway

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is a fine Staple Singers CD; BUT IT IS NOT THE ORIGINAL "FREEDOM HIGHWAY RELEASED ON EPIC RECORDS!" I really get upset with record companies who try to re-write history. The original "Freedom Highway" was recorded live at a church in Chicago on Epic Records. It was the best and in my mind is the best "live" gospel album I have ever heard. Legacy put out this CD with the same title as the original and only put on a couple of tracks from it. Come on Legacy! You're great at what you do. Please, Please, Please release the original Freedom Highway!

This is indeed the Staple Singers at their peak, a period crowned by the live recording of "Freedom Highway." But originally that song opened a whole album recorded live in a church, complete with Pops Staples' comments between songs, the handclapping and responses of the congregation, and so on. Hey, Epic Records: reissue the complete original "Freedom Highway" (with bonus tracks, if anything was left out!)! And if you ever see the original LP for sale, grab it! A real gem!

I can thank Pandora.com for this purchase - I started a radio station for blues-Gospel (seeded with The Blind Boys of Alabama). Staple Singers songs started coming on, and I found myself turning up the volume and checking the artist every time. It's incredible music - passionate, powerful, profoundly musical and spiritual and relevant. This is before the Staple Singers moved to Stax and attained more mainstream success, and it is firmly in the Black Gospel tradition, but with clear social messages ("Why? Am I treated so bad," "Hammer and Nails," and "Freedom Highway") along with the more spiritual songs ("Will The Circle Be Unbroken," "Wade in the Water," "Nobody's Fault but Mine," "This Train"). Most songs feature Pops on guitar (rich, soulful lines) and vocals, along with three daughters (most famously Mavis) and son joining on vocals. Drums, bass, and other guitar sometimes join, but the vocal harmonies and Pops' guitar are at the forefront. A moving musical experience. Highly recommended for all listeners of soul, classic R&B, gospel, folk, or blues music.

The Staple Singers had one of the more original sounds in gospel. Not the spiritual doo-wop of the quartets, and not the organ and vocal gymnastics of the choirs. Instead, the Staples were a family with great vocal styles and clear, "bright" guitar. It's the gospel version of Mississippi Delta country-blues - think of a sanctified John Lee Hooker on tour with his daughters. "Freedom Highway" is an excellent recording, and one of the best examples of the Staples' early sound.

This superb classic is best savored imagining yourself on a quiet dock by the Mississippi River, sun going down in a sultry, peach-colored sky, frogs and catfish jumping, while you slowly enjoy a fine sipping-whisky, such as Ardbeg Scotch Uigedail 750ML. This is the CD I turn to after a hard day. Especially after dealing with "-isms" regarding race, gender, age, and/or religion. To recover equilibrium, or simply add beauty to your life, listen to the soft buttery voice and masterful blues-guitar of Pops Staples, and delicious sounds of the whole Staples family; food for the soul, musical bliss. Mavis Staples is otherworldly good. I wish the Staple Singers were even more widely known, so that kids today could grow up on gospel, blues, and soul, not just over-commercialized racket. Masterpieces include "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)," "Hammer and Nails," "Freedom Highway," and "This Train." I can't recommend this album highly enough. Thank you Staple Singers; Amen.

Brings back beautiful memories of times gone by.

The songs are simple, the harmonies are gorgeous, and the guitar playing is haunting. When Mavis starts to sing get ready for the goose bumps. The contrast between the lead vocals of Pops and Mavis is simply chilling. Wonderful songs, haunting yet simple guitar sound and superb vocals make this disc a true keeper. I love this disc.

Staples Singers are an American Treasure.
I bought this album as I have always liked them.
This album purchase was for me a foray to have earlier recordings.
I am able to hear it all with its songs considered
with the original vision in its entirety as an Album.
It was delivered right away in pristine condition

My friend in Brooklyn ask me to find Freedom Highway by one of the best gospel singing groups of all time. I had no problem finding it on Amazon.com. They shipped the CD directly to him Brooklyn and he enjoys it. The Staples singers are one of the best gospel groups ever and we grew up listening to them in Louisiana.

When will the folks at Sony decide to release the complete recording of this concert? This is not the original version of this album. It does have some music on here that is not on the original but the original version has the chants and incantations that should never have been removed. I don't understand the logic of some record producers and manufacturers.