Only for the Lonely
Only for the Lonely is the second solo studio by American rhythm and blues and gospel singer Mavis Staples. It was released on October 12, 1970, by Volt Records.
| Only for the Lonely | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 12, 1970 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 28:12 | |||
| Label | Volt | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Mavis Staples chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Only for the Lonely | ||||
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
In the Billboard issue dated October 24, 1970, a review was published saying, "This album is at once dramatic and sensuous, and warm and appealing. Mavis Staples is cast in the same mold that produced recording greats like Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson and Etta James, and she can really deliver a song. Included here are "It Makes Me Want to Cry," "How Many Times," "Since I Fell for You" and "Endlessly".[4]
Cashbox published a review of the album in the issue dated October 31, 1970, which said, "Mavis Staples is a brilliant songstress with an incredibly powerful voice. Listening to her perform on an album, one cannot help but feel that she is in fact performing live in your living room. "I Have Learned to Do Without You," "Endlessly," "Since I Fell for You," and "It Makes Me Wanna Cry," are among the more impressive cuts, but each is a gem in its own right. For Mavis, it's the second release in a bright, shining career."[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Have Learned to Live Without You" |
| 4:09 |
| 2. | "How Many Times" |
| 3:21 |
| 3. | "Endlessly" | 3:08 | |
| 4. | "You're the Fool" | Sharon McMahan | 2:40 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Since I Fell for You" | Buddy Johnson | 3:34 |
| 2. | "What Happened to the Real Me" | Helga Penzabene | 2:35 |
| 3. | "Since You Became a Part of My Life" | 3:30 | |
| 4. | "It Makes Me Wanna Cry" |
| 2:50 |
| 5. | "Don't Change Me Now" |
| 2:25 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original release | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Security" | Otis Redding | Mavis Staples (1969) | 2:47 |
| 11. | "Son of a Preacher Man" |
| Mavis Staples (1969) | 2:17 |
| 12. | "You Send Me" | L.C. Cook | Mavis Staples (1969) | 2:56 |
| 13. | "A House Is Not a Home" | Mavis Staples (1969) | 4:27 | |
| 14. | "That's the Way Love Is" (with Johnnie Taylor) | Deadric Malone | Boy Meets Girl (1969) | 2:24 |
| Total length: | 43:03 | |||
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.[6][7]
- Barry Beckett - keyboards
- Joel Brodsky - photography
- Vernon Bullock - guitar, keyboards
- Ron Capone - engineer
- Steve Cropper - guitar
- Don Davis - engineer
- Donald "Duck" Dunn - bass
- Eli Fountain - percussion, saxophone
- Marlin Greene - engineer
- Don Hahn - producer, engineer
- Roger Hawkins - drums
- Isaac Hayes - organ
- Edward Hinton - guitar
- David Hood - bass
- Al Jackson, Jr. - drums
- David Krieger - art direction
- Herb Kole - art supervisor
- George McGregor - drums
- Ray Monette - guitar
- Tony Newton - bass
- Horace Ott - string arrangements
- Paul Richmond - mastering
- Rudy Robinson - keyboards
- Mavis Staples - lead vocals
- Marvell Thomas - piano
Charts
References
- "Mavis Staples - I Have Learned to Do Without You". Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- "Mavis Staples - Endlessly". Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- "Only for the Lonely - Mavis Staples - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- "Billboard - October 24, 1970" (PDF). American Radio History. Billboard. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- "Cashbox - October 31, 1970" (PDF). American Radio History. Cashbox. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- "Mavis Staples - Only For The Lonely (Original Release)". Discogs. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- "Mavis Staples - Only For The Lonely (CD Reissue)". Discogs. Retrieved 28 February 2019.