In Ken Eisner's review of Lightning in a Bottle [Nov. 25--Dec. 2], he quite erroneously refers to "the late Mavis Staples".

Please inform both Eisner and your fact checkers that Staples is in fact very much alive, having released a new album in August. She will be appearing--live--at Massey Hall in Toronto on December 23, 2004.

Matt Cornell

Salem, Massachusetts