City in the Sky is an album by American music group the Staple Singers, released in 1974. It was the group's final album for Stax Records. The 1990s reissue appended bonus tracks from the group's set at Wattstax.

The album peaked at No. 125 on the Billboard 200.

City in the Sky

Production

City in the Sky was recorded at Ardent Studios in October 1972, during sessions that were originally undertaken in order to construct a double album. It was produced by Al Bell.

City in the Sky

Critical reception

Robert Christgau called City in the Sky the group's "toughest and best Stax LP," writing that "though their social vision may be vague, at least they were political before it was commercial, which gives them an edge."

City in the Sky

Reviewing a reissue, The Commercial Appeal wrote that "it's one classic interpretation after another with brilliant socio-political numbers like 'Back Road Into Town', 'Washington We're Watching You' and 'Something Ain't Right'." Record Collector deemed it "a solid soul album without making too many claims to be essential."

Track listing

Personnel

Pop Staples - vocals, guitar

Cleotha Staples - vocals

Mavis Staples - vocals

Yvonne Staples - vocals

References

1974 albums

The Staple Singers albums

Stax Records albums