[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW0kE6mucFY[/youtube] In our new issue, Aaron Lafont talks to soul legend Mavis Staples. Tonight, she plays the Essence Music Festival at 9:15 in the Old School Superlounge with Irma Thomas. Here’s Staples singing the title track from her recent album, You Are Not Alone, accompanied on acoustic guitar by the album’s producer, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOGTb9yDsR0[/youtube] Mary J. Blige closes Essence Sunday night. Here she is with a song from her upcoming album, My Life II, The Journey Continues – “Someone to Love Me (Naked)” with Diddy and Lil Wayne.