That gap twixt secular and sacred music? artificial and easily breached

[jazzboCR]

Despite their name being Staples, their group has no tailing "s", thus The Staple Singers--founder Roebuck "Pops" Staples' whimsy. They belong in "Alternative" also because they mix Gospel phrasing (called "testifying") into secular songs and use R&B elements in the sacred (although Mr. Staples refused to sing the Blues). Big splash in the '70's, petering out in the '80's, and later when Pops died in 2000, Mavis became major as a solo. Here's Wikis on the group and the 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Staple_Singers and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pops_Staples and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mavis_Staples Mavis Staples' Site: http://mavisstaples.com/
Discogs--group, then Ms. Staples: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-stapl...iscography << Many excellent compilations available, either whole career or time at 1 label
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mavis-sta...iscography << her solo career started long before the group quit recording; that Stax compilation is outstanding but stops 20 years ago--she's done done tons of stuff since.

The Staple Singers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY3vgBzgYn4 << go ahead give yourself a hug at this promise of Heaven.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1pYKdqD1ls << The "self" of Yourself starts with this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6blBC9Vo904 << Stax Records did very well by them and vice versa.
Some Gospel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf9ZzOzb7Hk and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmBNuNNnGHY

Mavis Staples Can't miss the huskiness in her voice...and is technically proficient too. She's worked on the side on some surprising projects but saves her best for solo.
BONUS: Her latest album put up entire * : http://www.allmusic.com/album/one-true-v...0002526498 << Look at her CD previous with Mr. Tweedy--they are both a marvelous surround for her talent. OH MY! Here's the AMG on this: http://www.allmusic.com/album/one-true-v...0002526498
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc3BqMl1NII << an enhanced duet for the ages...on just the right song. Mighty tempted to bookmark this'n...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzK8is_682k << Any Beatles fans here? Up for a 2-fer duet with James Taylor? In a showcase presentation? OH YES!
SEMI-BONUS: 1/4 hour snippet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luV3G_1wFpc << "search" for Tiny Desk Concerts here--be amazed at what you find.

* Big shout-out to her label, Antirecords, for putting this up themselves.