The first time I heard the Staple Singers I was enthralled with their rendition of “The Weight” as they were playing with The Band in “The Last Waltz” (a live video recording of The Band’s last ever concert with guests such as Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, and Van Morrison). So much soul, I loved it. It’s taken me a few years though until today when I finally bought the Best Of The Staple Singers. It’s an amazing mix of Soul, Gospel, R&B and Motown. Every song has something punchy in the vocal melodies and the bass lines are bluesy without trite 12 bar funk. Good stuff check it out.