Jonny and Mavis, a study in contrasts

The Jonny Lang and Mavis Staples concert at Kelowna Community Theatre on Friday night was all Mavis.

Befitting her 79 years, the American rhythm and blues and gospel singer, actress and civil rights activist led off the two-part show.

You knew what kind of night it was going to be when the diminutive ball of energy walked on stage to a standing ovation.

A simple “Hello” was enough for an eruption of cheers from the 800-plus fans packing the theatre.

Her response, “Yah,” brought another tremendous cheer.

She immediately led off with Come Go With Me and the audience was with her step for-step.

In every sense, this was like a religious revival at a southern Baptist church.

The line “Somebody help me” from the followup Motown-inspired number, Take Us Back, was repeated several times to a chorus of encouragement from a supportive crowd which obviously came to worship.

A consumate professional, her hands and arms were almost in constant motion.

And a series of dance moves across the stage during civil rights theme Freedom Highway brought a crescendo of cheers.

Even the theatre ushers were dancing at the rear.

Her 11-number setlist ranged from the slow march of Build A Bridge to Ben Harperish Love and Trust to what is her mantra, Respect Yourself, all with her distinctive almost-gutteral low vocals.

And it wasn’t just her lyrics but her scat — the unusual rhythmic sounds her voice can produce as if it too was a musical instrument.

Even more endearing, Staples gave tit-for-tat and not just with those in the front rows. A call for a “Duet with Jonny” evoked the response: “He got enough to do. I’m waiting to hear him.”

And other comments prompted the comeback: “That’s my cousin. She does that all the time.”

After the upbeat Slippery People, Staples explained: “I’m here to bring you some love, some inspiration, some positive vibrations. We (the band) want you to feel good. (And with a laugh), I don’t know for how long.”

Freedom Highway, written by her father Pops Staples and performed by her family’s band The Staple Singers, was an anthem sung during civil rights marches, in particular for what she called The Big March from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama in 1965, a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.

“I won’t turn around,” Staples repeated several times as the audience rose to its feet. “I’ve come too far, y’all. I was there and I’m still here. I’m a living witness. I am a soldier. I am a warrior, fighting for love and peace. I can’t stop.”

Her finale was the barnburner, No Time For Cryin’, with the memorable line, “We got work to do.”

“I’ve been to the White House,” she announced to more cheers, then decried the separation of children from illegal immigrants by President Donald Trump.

“I think I might run for president,” she mused to a final standing ovation.

Her crystal clear vocals were in sharp contrast to the on-again, off-again vocals from Lang who wanted to showcase his multiple musical styles.

He started off with the Led Zeppelin-esque Don't Stop and Signs with ear-splitting screams reminiscent of lead singer Robert Plant, then he delved into rock, blues and jazz.

Even though Lang entered the commercial mainstream at the tender age of 15, his five albums have charted on the top 50 of the Billboard 200 chart and he won a Grammy award for Turn Around. Not bad for someone who is now only 37. Although he has a reputation as one of the best live performers and guitarists of his generation, his vocals were mostly drowned out by the instruments.

In fact, most of his lyrics were simply bookends for long guitar instrumentals with his right hand often blurring from his incredible speed and dexterity.

There was no denying his passion with his head tossing every which way, his face contorting and his body writhing.

By his fifth number, though, seniors in the audience began leaving.

They should have endured for the encore of a tender acoustic solo, Bring Me Back Home, which led into wailing guitar and vocals.

His applause was appreciative and he got the prerequisite standing ovation.

But Staples had already stolen the show. And she was probably smiling and in bed by Lang’s 11 p.m. finish.