This concert premieres on PBS October 6, 2005 (check local listings)

There is nothing as sweet as two powerhouse divas delivering up a rousing set. This Soundstage episode captures the duo of newcomer Joss Stone and legendary Mavis Staples in one stunning performance. Hailing from England, the teenaged Stone began to make waves with her big and throaty neo-soul vocal with the release of 2003’s The Soul Sessions (S-Curve). The disc comprised a new twist to a modern gem (The White Stripes’ “Fell In Love With A Girl”; Joss sings “Fell In Love With A Boy”) along with classic soul covers. She returned the next year with Mind, Body & Soul, where she exercised her own writing chops: co-writing 12 of the 14 tracks. For more than three decades, Chicago’s own Mavis Staples has been a force in the gospel set when she launched her career singing with her family in The Staple Singers. Her contralto voice has lent itself to classic soul and bluesy folk gospel, and even Prince-penned songs, along the way.

In this lovely performance, Stone launches and closes the set. Highlights include a smoky delivery of the aforementioned “Fell In Love With A Boy” along with several of her own gems, including “Right To Be Wrong” and “You Had Me.” Staples takes the stage midset to perform three songs, including the title track from her recent well-received album, Have A Little Faith. The finale brings the two talents together for a riveting duet of “I’ll Take You There.”