You Are Not Alone

For You Are Not Alone, gospel-soul legend Mavis Staples found an unlikely collaborator: Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. As producer, Tweedy uses the template of Rick Rubin's work with Johnny Cash: Get the star back to basics, remake a few old favorites and find some covers. Staples' voice is a rich, liquid wonder, and Tweedy's production — thick with guitar tremolo — is faithful (sometimes too much so) to her funk and gospel work with the Staples Singers. The highlights are Wilco-ish moments like "Creep Along, Moses," a traditional tune doused in guitar noise. Staples isn't just a survivor. She's a great singer who is best when she gets to press onward.