Honoring MLK Jr. Day with his favorite song

Music played a key role in the freedom movement. And the great Mavis Staples and her family were right in the thick of it.

Linked here is a clip of Mavis talking about the first time she saw Dr. King in person (the second clip in the box below "Meeting MLK"):



Here's a tremendous live recording of "Why Am I Treated So Bad", the song that Mavis says was Dr. King's favorite. In addition to everything else the great man accomplished, looks like he had good taste in music as well:



Mavis Staples web page: http://www.mavisstaples.com/

The Soul Corner - "99 and a Half (Won't Do)"

We are an apolitical forum here, so this is offered without much commentary. For me, it's a slamming musical moment with no need for further embellishment or any contextual analysis be that contemporary or historic.

My principal message today is that Mavis Staples is an American treasure, as good as it gets.

Play this loud.

And now after hearing that you are out there saying, wow JD, nothing can equal that. But you would be wrong because here is the 1965 original version of "99 and A Half (Won't Do)" by it's co-author (Wicked) Wilson Pickett, and featuring WYMA Hall of Famer Steve Cropper on guitar:

The lyrical turn that Mavis gave it in her version is fantastic. But love, liberty, respect, it's the same - 99 and 1/2 just won't do. Just won't get it.