Possibly the perfect campfire singalong (you all know the chorus, don’t you?), The Band’s “The Weight” transitioned from classic to standard long ago. Covers abound, but few more powerful than soul-gospel legends The Staple Singers’ 1968 version. So powerful, in fact, that The Band enlisted the Singers to back them up when re-recording the track for the soundtrack to their seminal concert movie The Last Waltz.
Well, lead singer Mavis Staples is still going strong at 71, and this past weekend appeared at the Outside Lands festival in San Francisco. Of course she performed “The Weight” and in true singalong fashion, invited Arcade Fire’s Win Butler to join her for the performance. He capably handles Rick Danko’s “Crazy Chester” verse while looking like he’s at least 6 inches taller than everyone else on stage! Check out the result below.
Check out more Mavis Staples on her website.
