Carry Me Home
Mavis Staples · 2022
54 min · 12 tracks · blues
A soulful blend of blues and gospel that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Is My Country Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free — This track stands out for its hopeful message of freedom and liberation, delivered with Staples' powerful vocals that resonate deeply with listeners seeking solace.
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You Got to Serve Somebody — Staples' rendition of this Bob Dylan classic emphasizes her roots in gospel music and highlights the importance of service and purpose in life.
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The Weight — This collaboration on The Band's iconic song brings new life to the classic, showcasing Staples' ability to reinterpret timeless material with fresh emotional weight.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends original and classic material with strong vocal performances but lacks a cohesive narrative flow.
What we noticed
- Each track is anchored by bluesy instrumentation, often featuring guitar and organ, creating a consistent sonic backdrop.
- Several tracks incorporate background vocals that harmonize with Staples, enhancing the emotional weight of her delivery.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- gradual builds and payoffs
- late-night contemplative moods
- long, immersive listening sessions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases Mavis Staples' continued relevance and vitality in her later career.
- Themes
- social justice anthems· yearning for freedom· gospel-rooted resilience
- Career context
- By 2022, Mavis Staples had solidified her legacy as a towering figure in American music, with 'Carry Me Home' being her follow-up to the acclaimed 'If All I Was Was Black' (2017). This album continues her artistic evolution while reinforcing her status as a vital voice in contemporary music. At 82 years old, Staples showcases her resilience and passion for social justice through this powerful collection.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aretha Franklin· Tina Turner· Etta James
Tracklist
- 1 This Is My Country Start here 4:35
- 2 Trouble in My Mind 5:05
- 3 Farther Along 4:23
- 4 Hand Writing on the Wall 4:06
- 5 I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free 3:43
- 6 Move Along Train 3:27
- 7 This May Be the Last Time 4:38
- 8 When I Go Away 5:16
- 9 Wide River to Cross 5:08
- 10 You Got to Move 2:41
- 11 You Got to Serve Somebody 5:37
- 12 The Weight 5:56
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Coming Home
Leon Bridges
Shares a soulful exploration of love and resilience, rooted in gospel and blues traditions.
Cheers to the Fall
Andra Day
Combines powerful vocals with themes of empowerment and social justice, echoing a similar spirit.
While I'm Livin'
Tanya Tucker
Features heartfelt storytelling and a blend of country and soul that resonates with themes of resilience.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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