You bet it's essential.
mingtoy | Massachusetts | 11/23/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pops Staples' guitar work and songwriting style is echoed in the MOST unlikely places -- rockabilly, the Rolling Stones (compare the Staples' "the last time" to the Stones' version). Mavis is one of the least well-known and most powerful gospel singers ever recorded. People used to faint at their concerts.No collection of 20th century American music is complete without the Staple Singers' early work.And be careful: if you're not a Christian, the Staples might just convert you!"
Straight to the soul !
swampshaka | New Orleans, Louisiana | 07/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wonderful 50's recordings originally released on the vee-jay label out of Chicago. This is sparse, blues drenched gospel music at it's finest. From Pops swampy tremelo laden guitar to the powerful alto of Mavis, the Staples prove time and time again there's truth in that ol' musical saying, "less is more". Pops humbly display's his delta roots throughout this sanctified session, serving us sampling after tasteful sampling of the fret work which he absorbed as a youth witnessing the legendary Charlie Patton perform on Mississippi's Dockery Plantation. It don't git more honest than this!"