Reading about the passing of Staple Singers vocalist Yvonne Staples triggered this memory:
In college, I attended an animated film festival. Although I haven't seen the short since 1992, I still remember "I'll Take You There" being used effectively in a film about toys suddenly coming to life and marching around a room. I thought then and still think "I'll Take You There" was the perfect musical accompaniment for that scenario. Everything about that justifiably chart-topping hit clicks. As I wrote previously, the tune sports one of the more effective, attention-getting opening notes and a sense
of conviction in the vocals that sounds just as convincing today.
I also recommend the driving groove of "Heavy Makes You Happy," which segues well with Sly & The Family Stone's "Dance To The Music."
A more serious recommendation: "This Is A Perfect World." The tune's lyrics differentiate the world from the people in it
effectively. It also weaves "My Country 'Tis Of Thee" appropriately
into the mix. This energetic track from 1971 about trying to show the
creator that people from different backgrounds can coexist peacefully
holds up today.
