42 Years On, Mavis Rocks Folk Fest 50

On August 1, Mavis took the stage at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI--four decades after her first appearance at the storied festival with her family group The Staple Singers.

Slotted between solo acts Tom Morello as the Nightwatchman and Iron & Wine, Mavis and her six-member band--including sister and fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Yvonne Staples--tore it up. The Boston Herald said, "When Mavis Staples led her molten-hot band through 'The Weight, she went beyond nostalgia: Time stood still." After the show, Mavis laughed, "It felt like a holiday; I hated to see it end!"

Two days before the Festival, Mavis appeared with fellow folk legends and Newport Folk Fest founder George Wein on NPR's 'Talk of the Nation' to recount her memories of the glory days of the Festival.

Until September 30, you can download a free NPR-produced sampler Folk at Newport: 50 Years that includes the Mavis live cut "Freedom Highway," alongside songs by Billy Bragg, Fleet Foxes, The Avett Brothers and Pete Seeger.

Click here to download the free 12-song sampler on iTunes.

Mavis Staples Newport Set List 8/1/09:
For What It's Worth
Eyes on the Prize
Too Close to Heaven
Wade in the Water
Waiting for My Child to Come Home
The Weight
Why Am I Treated So Bad
Rick's Jam (Instrumental)
Freedom Highway
Respect Yourself
I'll Take You There

(Pic: Mavis onstage at Newport, with guitarist Rick Holmstrom. © 2009, NPR.)