Iconic singer Mavis Staples is an alchemist of American music, and during her 70+ year career one of her most beloved musical moments was her riveting performance in Martin Scorsese's film' The Last Waltz,' performing "The Weight", with The Band, a moment that forged a life-long friendship between her and Levon Helm. Staples came to Woodstock, NY to perform as part of Helm's renowned Midnight Ramble series, and the ensuing concert-available now for the first time on the rousing new ANTI- Records release 'Carry Me Home'-would mark a personal high watermark for both artists. Captured live in the summer of 2011, 'Carry Me Home' showcases two of the past century's most iconic voices coming together in love and joy, tracing their shared roots and celebrating the enduring power of faith and music. The setlist was righteous that night, mixing vintage gospel and soul with timeless folk and blues, and the performances were loose and playful, fueled by an ecstatic atmosphere that was equal parts family reunion and tent revival. Read between the lines, though, and there's an even more poignant story at play here. Neither Staples nor Helm knew that this would be their last performance together-the collection marks one of Helm's final recordings before his death-and listening back now, a little more than a decade later, tunes like "This May Be The Last Time" and "Farther Along" take on new, bittersweet meaning. The result is an album that's at once a time capsule and a memorial, a blissful homecoming and a fond farewell, a once-in-a-lifetime concert-and friendship-preserved for the ages. Staples and the night's soulful crew of backup singers handle the vast majority of the vocal work here, but it's perhaps album closer "The Weight," which features Helm chiming in with lead vocals for the first time, that stands as the concert's most emotional moment."It never crossed my mind that it might be the last time we'd see each other," says Staples. "He was so full of life and so happy that week. He was the same old Levon I'd always known, just a beautiful spirit inside and out." "My dad built The Midnight Rambles to restore his spirit, his voice, and his livelihood," says Helm's daughter, Amy, who sang backup vocals with her father and Staples at their performance. "He'd risen back up from all that had laid him down, and to have Mavis come sing and sanctify that stage was the ultimate triumph for him."
Release date:
August 5, 2022
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Vinyl Care - Top Picks
A selection of accesories to keep your turntable equipment & vinyl records in the best shape
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
-
Pro-Ject Phono Box DC Pre-Amp
Compact, high-performance phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges, delivering a clean, detailed signal with minimal noise.
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Aunt Katrina This Heat Is Slowly Killing Me
Crafted Sounds
July 11, 2025 -
Kenny Thomas Unstoppable
777 Records
August 8, 2025 -
Minus the Bear Menos El Oso (20th Anniversary; Pink) [2xLP]
Suicide Squeeze
August 22, 2025 -
Carson McHone Pentimento
Merge Records
September 12, 2025 -
Zoh Amba Sun
Smalltown Supersound
August 22, 2025 -
Chastity Belt Loaded Painted Red (Purple)
Suicide Squeeze
August 15, 2025 -
Arm's Length There's A Whole World Out There
Pure Noise Records
August 8, 2025 -
Bad Suns Accelerator
Epitaph
August 8, 2025 -
Marissa Nadler New Radiations
Sacred Bones
August 15, 2025 -
twenty one pilots Breach (Amazon Exclusive; Clear Glitter)
Fueled By Ramen
September 19, 2025 -
Mötley Crüe From The Beginning [2xLP]
Bmg
September 12, 2025 -
Shaki Tavi Minor Slip
Felte Records
August 15, 2025 -
Myles Smith Minute A Moment
Rca Victor Europe
July 25, 2025 -
Lucy Spraggan Other Sides of the Moon
Ctrl Records
July 18, 2025