Earlier this month, the title track off Mavis Staples’ forthcoming album, You Are Not Alone, (one of two new songs penned for the iconic singer by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy), premiered on Pitchfork. And though the inspirational tune seamlessly took its place among Staples’ timeless oeuvre, I couldn’t help but imagine the LP’s producer, Tweedy himself, joining the backup singers for one particularly clever turn of phrase: “Open up, this is a raid.” (An almost Sky Blue Sky-esque line, no?)
Thanks to fan site Wilco Club, we get to hear the tune from the always-fascinating Jeff Tweedy solo acoustic angle, and thanks to Anti- Records, Staples’ brilliant track is available to stream, as well. Hear both versions below:
Jeff Tweedy – “You Are Not Alone” (Live)
Mavis Staples – “You Are Not Alone”