Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Mavis Staples and seven-time Grammy Award-nominated vocalist Joan Osborne will join forces in a “Solid Soul” tour concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27, in Eisenhower Auditorium on the University Park campus of Penn State.
Osborne said she’s excited to tour for the first time with Staples, who she describes as an “amazing, incredible, legendary artist.”
“Every time I see her, I basically just bum-rush her and tell her how much I want to work with her,” Osborne said.
Each vocalist will perform a solo set followed by a combined finale.
Starting with the Staple Singers—the bluesy gospel group that helped give musical voice to the civil rights movement—Staples has continued to cross over into the pop mainstream without compromising her roots. Following a list of hits for the Stax label, including “I’ll Take You There” and “Let’s Do it Again,” Staples embarked on a solo career, performing with The Band and recording two albums under the direction of Prince. She also twice collaborated with Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, the second time resulting in 2013’s “One True Vine,” a gospel album for the 21st century.
The Staple Singers family band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. VH1 lists Staples as one of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll, and Rolling Stone includes her in its list of the top 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
In 2013, Staples performed with Justin Timberlake at a White House tribute to Memphis Soul and with Elton John in a Grammy tribute to Levon Helm of The Band. In April, she released an EP, “Your Good Fortune.”
Osborne, best known for her 1995 hit “One of Us” from the triple-platinum album “Relish,” is widely praised for her renditions of songs from the soul, blues, R&B, country-rock and folk genres.
Her reputation as a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter has attracted the attention of some of music’s most iconic artists. She has shared stages with Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Stevie Wonder, Dianne Reeves and Luciano Pavarotti. She also has toured with The Dead (featuring the surviving members of The Grateful Dead), Motown’s Funk Brothers, and Phil Lesh and Friends.
Osborne performs with the rock band Trigger Happy, founded by Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman. “Love and Hate,” her most recent album, includes contributions by Wilco guitarist Nels Cline.
See Staples’ music video for “I Like the Things About Me,” and watch Osborne perform “Shake Your Hips.”
To learn more about the concert, and for ticketing information, visit Staples and Osborne or phone 814-863-0255.
Helen Harvey and Stephen and Patricia Noel sponsor the concert. MAJIC 99 is the media sponsor.
Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring a visiting artist or artists, takes place in Eisenhower one hour before the concert and is free for ticket holders. Artistic Viewpoints regularly fills to capacity, so seating is available on a first-arrival basis.
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