One True Vine
Mavis Staples · 2013
34 min · 10 tracks · blues
A soulful blend of gospel-infused blues, echoing with personal revelations and spiritual reflections.
Top tracks — play these first
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Holy Ghost — Opening the album with vibrant energy, this track captures Staples' commanding vocal presence and sets the spiritual tone for the entire record.
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I Like the Things About Me — This empowering anthem showcases Staples' ability to blend personal reflection with broader themes of self-acceptance and resilience, making it a standout moment.
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One True Vine — The title track encapsulates the album's overall themes of faith and community, featuring poignant lyrics that resonate deeply within the context of Staples' life and career.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Mavis Staples' blend of gospel and blues showcases strong songwriting and powerful delivery, making it a notable work in her discography.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that features layered vocal harmonies and a steady rhythm, setting a soulful tone.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements, enhancing the gospel influence and engaging the listener.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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 reflective listening experience
- heartfelt messages of hope
- intimate moments of self-reflection
- uplifting themes for quiet times
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When One True Vine was released in 2013, Mavis Staples was experiencing a creative resurgence marked by her collaboration with producer Jeff Tweedy. This album followed her Grammy-winning effort, You Are Not Alone, solidifying her status as a vital voice in contemporary music while drawing from her deep roots in gospel and soul.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aretha Franklin· Tina Turner· Etta James
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Holy Ghost 2:42
- 2 Every Step 4:02
- 3 Can You Get to That 2:57
- 4 Jesus Wept 4:47
- 5 Far Celestial Shore 2:55
- 6 What Are They Doing in Heaven Today 4:03
- 7 Sow Good Seeds 2:50
- 8 I Like the Things About Me 3:57
- 9 Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind on Jesus) 2:56
- 10 One True Vine 3:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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