During the tumultuous 1960s, civil rights marches throughout the South were routinely interrupted by acts of violence against African-American protesters by police with clubs, German Shepherds, tear gas and fire-hoses. The cruelty was displayed for the world to see in newspapers and on TV. Where did the marchers find the courage to face such bloody persecution? As the oppressed have often done, they appealed to a higher power. During those times, music performed one of its most noble roles—as a galvanizing tool of faith and social change. The Staples Singers held a prominent place on that soundtrack. Now, forty years down the line, Mavis Staples is touring in support of a great new CD We’ll Never Turn Back (Anti). These uplifting songs shine like diamonds on the slagheap of contemporary popular music. Joining her will be blues harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite, the North Mississippi Allstars, and New Orleans keyboard master Joe Krown—who backed the legendary Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown for a decade until that bluesman’s death in 2005, shortly after evacuating his Louisiana home after Hurricane Katrina. Against the current backdrop of social injustices, it’s sad to realize that gospel songs like “We Shall Not Be Moved” still resonate so urgently, but it’s a godsend that a true master like Staples is here to deliver this soulful and important music to a new generation.

Wednesday, November 7 at 8pm. UB Center for the Arts, Amherst Campus

(645-ARTS/www.ubcfa.org). $30 general; $15 students.