If All I Was Was Black Explained

If All I Was Was Black
Cover:If All I Was Was Black.jpg
Type:studio
Artist:Mavis Staples
Recorded:May 2017[1]
Studio:The Loft
Length:34:33
Label:ANTI-
Producer:Jeff Tweedy
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If All I Was Was Black is the thirteenth studio album by American R&B, soul and gospel singer Mavis Staples. It was released on November 17, 2017, by ANTI- Records.[2] [3] The album was written and produced by Jeff Tweedy.[4]

Background

The album's announced on September 11, 2017. The album consists of 11 songs, all of which were written by Jeff Tweedy.[5] [6] Staples said she hoped the album will "bring us all together as a people. That's what I hope to do. You can't stop me. You can't break me. I'm too loving. These songs are going to change the world."[7] [8] Tweedy described the message of the album, saying, "I’ve always thought of art as a political statement in and of itself—that it was enough to be on the side of creation and not destruction. But there is something that feels complicit at this moment in time about not facing what is happening in this country head on."[9] [10] [11] [12]

Release and promotion

The lead single, "If All I Was Was Black", was released on September 11, 2017, along with the album's pre-order.[13] "Little Bit" was released as the second single from the album on October 12, 2017.[14] The third single, "Build a Bridge", was released on November 7, 2017.[15] "Ain't No Doubt About It" was released as the fourth and final single on November 14, 2017.[16] A music video for "If All I Was Was Black" was released on February 12, 2018.[17]

Critical reception

If All I Was Was Black received generally favorable reviews upon release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 80, based on 18 reviews.[18]

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Green . Elon . Mavis Staples on Prince, Trump, Black Lives Matter, and Her Exercise Regimen . 25 February 2019 . en . 11 September 2017.
  2. Kreps . Daniel . Mavis Staples Previews New Jeff Tweedy-Produced LP . . 2017-09-11.
  3. Web site: Mavis Staples Announces New Album If All I Was Was Black Produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy . Spin.com . 2017-09-11.
  4. Web site: Murphy . Sarah . Mavis Staples Teams Up with Jeff Tweedy for 'If All I Was Was Black' LP . Exclaim.ca . 2017-09-11.
  5. Web site: Mavis Staples – "If All I Was Was Black" . Stereogum.com . 2017-09-11.
  6. Web site: Mavis Staples Teams With Jeff Tweedy for Unflinching New Album, If All I Was Was Black :: Music :: News :: Mavis Staples :: Paste . Pastemagazine.com . 2017-09-11.
  7. Web site: Hear The New Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy Song 'If All I Was Was Black' : All Songs Considered . Npr.org. 2017-09-11.
  8. Web site: Mavis Staples Joins Forces With Jeff Tweedy For New LP 'If All I Was Was Black' – Sets Tour Dates With Bob Dylan . Glide Magazine . 2017-09-11.
  9. Web site: Matthew Strauss . Mavis Staples Announces New Album With Jeff Tweedy If All I Was Was Black . Pitchfork.com . 2017-09-11.
  10. Web site: Jem Aswad . Mavis Staples Confronts Trump's America on 'If All I Was Was Black' . Variety.com . 2017-09-11.
  11. Web site: Mavis Staples Tackles Racism On New Album, 'If All I Was Was Black' . Okayplayer.com . 2017-09-11.
  12. Web site: Bob Dylan announces tour with Mavis Staples (who announced a new album) . Brooklynvegan.com . 2017-09-07 . 2017-09-11.
  13. Web site: Mavis Staples Unveils New Album 'If All I Was Was Black' Produced by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy . Billboard . 24 March 2019.
  14. Web site: Mavis Staples Releases Funky New Single "Little Bit" . pastemagazine.com . 24 March 2019 . en.
  15. Web site: Blistein . Jon . Hear Mavis Staples' Graceful New Protest Song 'Build a Bridge' . Rolling Stone . 24 March 2019 . 8 November 2017.
  16. Web site: Mavis Staples – "Ain’t No Doubt About It" (Feat. Jeff Tweedy) . Stereogum . 24 March 2019 . 14 November 2017.
  17. Web site: Blistein . Jon . Watch Mavis Staples Replace Confederate Statues in Poignant New Video . Rolling Stone . 24 March 2019 . 12 February 2018.
  18. Web site: If All I Was Was Black by Mavis Staples. Metacritic.com. 23 August 2018.
  19. Web site: NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart. Recorded Music NZ. November 27, 2017. November 24, 2017.

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