Great Day

The Staple Singers

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 15, 1991)
• Original Release Date: October 15, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Milestone
• ASIN: B000000XW7
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,775 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Gloryland

2. Everybody Will Be Happy

3. Hear My Call, Here

4. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen

5. I'm Willin' (Part 1)

6. I'm Willin' (Part 2)

7. Great Day

8. Do You Know Him?

9. New-Born Soul

10. Dying Man's Plea, A

11. New Home

12. Wish I Had Answered

13. Better Home, A

14. Old Time Religion

15. Swing Down, Chariot

16. Motherless Children

17. Gamblin' Man

18. I Know I've Been Changed

19. Jesus Is All

20. You Got Shoes

See all 27 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Recorded in the early '60s for the Riverside label, these 27 songs mark the move toward a more folk-based sound for the Staple Singers. The bass and drums throughout anchor the group's etheral tendencies but still keep them floating heavenward. On the two-part "I'm Willin,'" Pops's liquid, echoing guitar lines and the high-pitched, clipped group backing vocals play off the simple, jazzy drumming and subtle bass playing. This formula provides both Mavis's rumbling, muscular voice and Pops's celebrated tenor a secure setting from which to fully explore their vocal ranges. The arrangements of traditional spiritual material are innovative, sparse, uncanny, from the rousing "Swing Down, Chariot" to the laconic "My Dying Bed" and the chilling "Will the Lord Remember Me." Dylan's "Masters of War," the sole song without the gospel theme, presages the Singers' move toward more secular protest and "message" songs. A percussively strummed guitar lays down a marching rhythm, the backing vocals are subtle, incorporeal "whoohs," and Pops's croon is the very definition of "wizened." --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 11 stars! ESSENTIAL! Haunting! #1 Best album of all time., January 4, 2005

By	Pete (Toronto) - See all my reviews

Great Day is the link between the Born-in-Bethlehem stone gospel " Vee-Jay" Staples (PRAY ON)... and their classic and timeless anthemic 60's FOLK-HIPPIE-SOUL message songs like Respect Yourself, and I'll Take You There
Simply exquisite heavenly music. I found a CD copy in Japan ...probably 15 years ago now...after having worn out a few vinyl copies.
This music will live on forever... Could angels in heaven sound any more beautiful than Pops, Mavis Staples, and her brother and sisters Pervis, Cleotha and Yvonne?
There's a very strong secular raw blues and west african vibe here that takes the spiritual level far above expectations. In the lyric on "PRAYING TIME" Pops breaks into a riff singing "You go and I'll go with you" straight out of Howlin' Wolf, and Sonny Boy Williamson then the kids kick in an otherworldly backup: "My Lord!" Scary and riveting.
Every song is a wonderful gem and they all segue into eachother beautifully, but I agree with the reviewer who singled out DYING MAN'S PLEA especially Pops guitar and delivery on that solo intro is so pure... Robert Pete Williams, Blind Willie Johnson...then the stone soul gospel groove kicks in.("one kind favor i'll ask of you... 'see that my grave is kept clean, dig my grave with a silver spade, ease me down with a golden chain...") Whee-ew!
Oh yeah and have another listen to the organ on " I Can't Help from Cryin' Sometime" (played by Maceo Wood) Holy Smokes(!) this is some kind of FUNKY magic. Hypnotic and haunting. GREAT DAY just sounds better and better as time goes by.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They never go wrong, December 3, 2001

By	nadav haber (jerusalem Israel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This CD is magnificent from beginning to end. I tried to pick my favorite song - it is impossible ! All songs have a steady rolling beat and feature the wonderful singing of the Staples family.
I have a soft spot for Pops Staples' voice. It has to be loved by anyone who likes both Gospel and Blues. HIs guitar playing is perfect for this context.
When I saw Bob Dylan's song - "Masters of war" - I thought that here the Staples Singers surely must flop. But they tackled it beautifully, and made it sound as if it was their own.
I recommend this CD to all music lovers. This is a music that rewards you for coming in contact with it as few others do.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Staple Singers -- a treasure, February 10, 2007

By	E. Stadum (Germany) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is the very best of the very best of the marvelous Staple Singers. Virtually every cut is jewel-like. They do Dylan's "Masters of War" better than he does. Much as I love how the Staple Singers do Dylan, this album is about gospel and it is a brilliant showcase. Listen especially to "A Dying Man's Plea" and the superb rendition of "Swing Down, Chariot." This is an album to be savored again and again over the years.