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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Mavis Staples

The well-known bands/songwriters are playing Friday before the headliners so I won't bother discussing them. Instead I'll touch on two playing the smaller stages that are worth checking out. Gary Clark, Jr. is well regarded in Austin and still plays often but the Dallas reader should go watch him play. Amazing guitar player. Great blues artist. He plays at 6:30 on the BMI stage.

My pick for Friday base-camp closes out with Mavis Staples. She's a legend in the gospel/R&B world and has sung with practically all the bands in the Rock Hall-of-Fame: The Band, Dylan, Ray Charles, you name it. Her latest album was produced by Jeff Tweedy and takes her sound back to the roots of Americana. She just did a duet with Patty Griffin so maybe we'll get a surprise guest. She covers Randy Newman and Allen Toussaint, too. What more could you want? Should be a good show.

You are Not Alone

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