Annie and the Caldwells

★★★★★ “A masterpiece to drag you out of despair” – The Guardian “A MUST album. You must get that album. Annie Caldwell has been making gospel music for a long, long time since the 70s. This is fabulous, and the video is fabulous too. A great, great record that I insist you go out and buy.” – Sir Elton John ANNIE & THE CALDWELLS are a family that plays a powerful disco soul from West Point, Mississippi, led by Annie Caldwell (who sings) and her husband of the last fifty years Willie Joe Caldwell, Sr. (who plays the guitar). Annie is backed by their daughters Deborah Caldwell Moore and Anjessica Caldwell and goddaughter Toni Rivers; their eldest son Willie Jr. Caldwell is on the bass and youngest son Abel Aquirius Caldwell is on the drums. Their new album Can’t Lose My (Soul) [Luaka Bop, 2025] was hailed by The Guardian (★★★★★) as “a masterpiece to drag you out of despair,” Popmatters (8/10) said it “transcend(ed) time, place, and—on occasion—even the most unshakable atheism,” and MOJO (★★★★) said it “may just get you through any darkness looming on the horizon... or simply get you dancing.” They generally play on weekends, so for their day jobs Willie Jr. drives a forklift, Abel Aquirius drives hospital patients, Anjessica works in customer care for an insurance company, Toni is an elementary school teacher, and Deborah does hair. Annie runs the clothing store Caldwell Fashions, which has been a beloved staple for women dressing for church anniversaries since the 80s.