Product Description:
The Staple Singers: Roebuck Staples (guitar, vocals); Mavis Staples, Cleotha Staples, Yvonne Staples (vocals).
Digitally remastered by Phil De Lancie (1990, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).
The follow-up to 1972's career-defining BEATITUDE: RESPECT YOURSELF, 1973's BE WHAT YOU ARE is both a refinement and a bit of a retreat. The hit singles were fewer and made less of a dent on the charts, with only "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" and "Touch A Hand, Make A Friend" reaching the Top 40. There's also a distinct move away from the pop-soul feel of "I'll Take You There" and "Respect Yourself," and a shift towards the group's strong gospel roots that's obvious even in their choice of R&B covers. Bill Withers's "Grandma's Hands" gets an excellent treatment, for example, and Bettye Crutcher's no-nonsense "Drown Yourself" features a powerful solo performance by Mavis Staples (who officially and rightfully positions herself as the group's lead singer on this album). A worthy follow-up to the Staple Singers' best album, BE WHAT YOU ARE is a fine second purchase for the converted fan; newcomers, however, might be better off with either its predecessor or one of the many compilations.
Entertainment Reviews:
Mojo (Publisher) - 5/02, p.120
"...Tremendous...contains some of their most passionate, inspiring and forthright work..."
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