― Phil A., Wednesday, 9 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Sean Carruthers, Wednesday, 9 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Anyway, classic for the Impressions and the solo career up to Superfly, one of my favorite R&B records, and I love the fact that he seems like an all-around good guy.
― Patrick, Wednesday, 9 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Omar, Thursday, 10 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Andrew L, Thursday, 10 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― AP, Thursday, 10 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― John Davey, Thursday, 10 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin, Thursday, 10 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
I stand corrected. 1959, you say? I had no idea he'd been recording that long. Okay, so not a hippie at all. I couldn't really come up with a suitable negative description of him. Anyway, as I said I've not really listened to much of his stuff. Could you recommend any albums to a Curtis newbie like myself?
― Phil A., Thursday, 10 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Patrick, Friday, 11 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Timeless, a true classic.
Personal favourite song: People Get Ready - Mayfield said it straight: there's a train a-comin'...you don't need no baggage, you just get on board.
― Tim Roxborogh, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― dave q, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― rener, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― ethan, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Agree with Andrew and John - 'Curtis Live!' is a great place to start, one of my favourite live albums. Most of his best songs, performed beautifully in a low-key setting.
Also search 'Curtis', 'Superfly', 'Roots', 'There's no place like America today', and any Impressions albums you can get your hands on. (I've not heard a bad one yet.)
They've got the 'Soul Legacy' box set in Fopp for £20. Should I buy it even though I've got a lot of his individual albums?
― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 09:37 (twenty years ago) link
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 09:59 (twenty years ago) link
― J-rock (Julien Sandiford), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 10:09 (twenty years ago) link
― M Specktor (M Specktor), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 15:21 (twenty years ago) link
― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 15:35 (twenty years ago) link
― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 16:37 (twenty years ago) link
― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 16:40 (twenty years ago) link
Word
― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 16:46 (twenty years ago) link
― Neudonym, Wednesday, 21 May 2003 17:36 (twenty years ago) link
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 19:46 (twenty years ago) link
I also noticed a post upthread that says the following:
"despite the fact live albums suck and live soul albums (mainly) suck harder"
I totally disagree with this statement (at least the latter part). I can't think of any live soul albums that suck, and I have Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Mayfield, Donny Hathaway and others, and to me, they are superior to the other live albums that I own.
― Jonathan (Jonathan), Monday, 3 November 2003 18:00 (twenty years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 3 November 2003 19:45 (twenty years ago) link
― Will (will), Monday, 3 November 2003 20:47 (twenty years ago) link
― amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:01 (twenty years ago) link
― Sonny A. (Keiko), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:08 (twenty years ago) link
― Chuck Tatum (Chuck Tatum), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:18 (twenty years ago) link
― amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:22 (twenty years ago) link
― gaz (gaz), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:30 (twenty years ago) link
― Chuck Tatum (Chuck Tatum), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:00 (twenty years ago) link
― M Specktor (M Specktor), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:00 (twenty years ago) link
― amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:22 (twenty years ago) link
― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:35 (twenty years ago) link
― Keith Watson (kmw), Saturday, 12 June 2004 12:35 (nineteen years ago) link
― shookout (shookout), Saturday, 12 June 2004 12:59 (nineteen years ago) link
― peter smith (plsmith), Saturday, 12 June 2004 17:05 (nineteen years ago) link
― Bimble (bimble), Saturday, 12 June 2004 17:35 (nineteen years ago) link
(Dave Q's comment will forever change the way I hear, etc.)
― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Saturday, 12 June 2004 18:55 (nineteen years ago) link
― amateur!st (amateurist), Sunday, 13 June 2004 03:04 (nineteen years ago) link
― mullygrubber (gaz), Sunday, 13 June 2004 05:45 (nineteen years ago) link
as someone else said, if you can find the demo versions of a lot of his songs on superfly and the curtis album (i got mine on a 3 cd cheapo box set love peace understanding), theyre a lot more understated than the finished versions. he didnt pretty them up with strings and extra ornamenation.
― thesplooge (thesplooge), Sunday, 13 June 2004 15:44 (nineteen years ago) link
― Sonny A. (Keiko), Sunday, 13 June 2004 16:45 (nineteen years ago) link
And also because the break down is great.
― Keith Watson (kmw), Sunday, 13 June 2004 16:49 (nineteen years ago) link
― thesplooge (thesplooge), Sunday, 13 June 2004 18:06 (nineteen years ago) link
― Sonny A. (Keiko), Sunday, 13 June 2004 18:25 (nineteen years ago) link
― thesplooge (thesplooge), Sunday, 13 June 2004 19:03 (nineteen years ago) link
― Patrick South (Patrick South), Friday, 18 June 2004 06:04 (nineteen years ago) link
I completely agree with all the praise too. I'm fairly new to Curtis; started listening to him because of the high praise Robbie Robertson (among many others) gave him as both a guitar player and songwriter.
I don't have near enough of his material - Impressions or solo.
― shorty (shorty), Friday, 13 October 2006 22:38 (seventeen years ago) link
― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Friday, 13 October 2006 22:43 (seventeen years ago) link
― A Radio Picture (Rrrickey), Friday, 13 October 2006 22:59 (seventeen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Friday, 13 October 2006 23:33 (seventeen years ago) link
(CM is totally classic obv)
― deej.. (deej..), Monday, 16 October 2006 23:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ruud Comes to Haarvest (Ken L), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 00:39 (seventeen years ago) link
― i am not a nugget (stevie), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 09:04 (seventeen years ago) link
Curtis > Roots > Superfly > Short Eyes > Back To The World > Curtis Live > Got To Find A Way
― Dimehitter Dwayne Hosey (dwaynehosey), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 11:34 (seventeen years ago) link
― i am not a nugget (stevie), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 11:51 (seventeen years ago) link
― def zep (calstars), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 13:15 (seventeen years ago) link
― hank (hank s), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 14:44 (seventeen years ago) link
-- Phil A. (spleetl...), May 8th, 2001.
and they cryout how ilm used to be better than now...
― PappaWheelie: Giving out breaks to the needy since September 25th, 2006 (PappaWh, Tuesday, 17 October 2006 15:22 (seventeen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 15:28 (seventeen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 15:29 (seventeen years ago) link
― chaki (chaki), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 15:32 (seventeen years ago) link
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:59d9kentgq7m
― a.b. (alanbanana), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 16:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― and what (ooo), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 16:16 (seventeen years ago) link
― ZR (teenagequiet), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 16:17 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tuomas (Tuomas), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 16:32 (seventeen years ago) link
Are you honestly saying There's No Place Like America Today isn't among his top SEVEN records?
― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 16:40 (seventeen years ago) link
There's No Place Like America Today is probably my favorite album of his, actually. And I think Back to the World is quite underrated.
― Patrick South (Patrick South), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 16:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tuomas (Tuomas), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 16:46 (seventeen years ago) link
Back to the World has a much better A side than B side.
I've never heard There's No Place Like America Today.
― Dimehitter Dwayne Hosey (dwaynehosey), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 17:26 (seventeen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 18:26 (seventeen years ago) link
― M. Agony Von Bontee (M. Agony Von Bontee), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 18:34 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 05:28 (seventeen years ago) link
― Daniel_Rf (Daniel_Rf), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 08:54 (seventeen years ago) link
As a songwriter, guitar player, producer, and beautiful cat who brought his own funk and timeless positive message from a real place, a stone classic.
― The Redd 47 Ronin (Ken L), Saturday, 21 October 2006 22:36 (seventeen years ago) link
― Uncle Tom (Uncle Tom), Sunday, 22 October 2006 04:08 (seventeen years ago) link
― deej.. (deej..), Sunday, 22 October 2006 21:33 (seventeen years ago) link
In order of preference:
There's No Place Like America Today 75Back To the World 73Sweet Exorcist 74Got To Find A Way 74Let's Do It Again 74Give Get Take Have 76
― Fastnbulbous (Fastnbulbous), Monday, 23 October 2006 05:15 (seventeen years ago) link
However, I do have an early-80's album he did for the long-gone Boardwalk label, titled something like LOVE IS THE PLACE. Can't lie -it's from '81 or '82 and it sounds it, this ain't no retro project, but for what it is, it's not bad at all. The only real standout is "Just Ease My Mind," which should have been comped on that box set of black country singers that Warners released years ago. Seriously, this is Curtis gone country & western, and he OWNS it.
Track down a copy and hear it for yourself - because it was recorded well after his prime years, this album is always cheap as dirt in the used stores. "Just Ease My Mind," by itself, is worth the $1.
― Rev. Hoodoo (Rev. Hoodoo), Monday, 23 October 2006 06:37 (seventeen years ago) link
i cant get used to his singing but the music is v nice.
― ☪, Sunday, 18 November 2007 18:07 (sixteen years ago) link
Shameless Pharrell biter, amirite?
― The Reverend, Sunday, 18 November 2007 18:49 (sixteen years ago) link
not the best singer, sounding like he had the smallest pair of lungs ever, but he made some of the best records of the 70s.
― titchyschneiderMk2, Sunday, 18 November 2007 18:58 (sixteen years ago) link
-- Tim Roxborogh, Tuesday, July 24, 2001 12:00 AM (6 years ago) Bookmark Link Dunno, I'd be suspicious if a train conductor insisted I didn't need any baggage. Like, where are we going, Belsen?
-- dave q, Tuesday, July 24, 2001 12:00 AM (6 years ago) Bookmark Link
omg hahahahah
― s1ocki, Sunday, 18 November 2007 19:00 (sixteen years ago) link
way classic. I've been listening to the Impressions non-stop recently.
― will, Sunday, 18 November 2007 19:13 (sixteen years ago) link
his voice is amazing you herbs
― deej, Sunday, 18 November 2007 19:15 (sixteen years ago) link
for srs
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Sunday, 18 November 2007 19:19 (sixteen years ago) link
LOLOL @ daveq!!
― will, Sunday, 18 November 2007 19:21 (sixteen years ago) link
was he just a high-voiced hippie?
o_0
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Sunday, 18 November 2007 19:22 (sixteen years ago) link
i do think the train lyric is a bit crap, really. he drags the train metaphor on a bit too long. if there was a video for it, he probably would have dressed up as a conductor.
― titchyschneiderMk2, Sunday, 18 November 2007 19:27 (sixteen years ago) link
i cant believe titchy has reached the point of meaningless pedantry that he's arguing 'people get ready' drags the train metaphor on 'a bit too long'
i eagerly await your critique of beethoven's overlong 7th symphony
― deej, Sunday, 18 November 2007 19:41 (sixteen years ago) link
His "influence" on reggae singers cannot be overestimated
― Tom D., Tuesday, 20 November 2007 12:57 (sixteen years ago) link
Huh?
― Tuomas, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:05 (sixteen years ago) link
Sorry?
― Tom D., Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:08 (sixteen years ago) link
What "influence"?
― Tuomas, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:15 (sixteen years ago) link
On their singing styles! Case in point
― Tom D., Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:19 (sixteen years ago) link
But Curtis's singing style isn't in any substantial way different from other soul/r'n'b singers of the era, so why trace the lineage to hím?
― Tuomas, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:22 (sixteen years ago) link
I assume you're joking? No-one but Geir could get something that wrong, surely?
― Tom D., Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:23 (sixteen years ago) link
Well what are his unique, original traits then?
― Tuomas, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:26 (sixteen years ago) link
So you can't recognise Curtis Mayfield when you hear him?
― Tom D., Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:28 (sixteen years ago) link
You can't tell him apart from "other soul/r'n'b singers of the era"?
― Tom D., Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:29 (sixteen years ago) link
Of course I can tell him apart, but that doesn't mean he had such an original style that his influence on reggae singers "can't be overestimated". What do you think is that original in his singing?
― Tuomas, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:32 (sixteen years ago) link
So how can you tell him apart? What unique and original traits does he have that allow you to distinguish him from "other soul/r'n'b singers of the era"?
― Tom D., Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:33 (sixteen years ago) link
I mean, the falsetto singing was done by other soul singers (like Marvin Gaye) as well, and his particular sort of phrasing can be traced to people like Sam Cooke (and other gospel singers before him).
(x-post)
Well obviously I recognize his voice, but there isn't anything revolutionary in his singing technique.
― Tuomas, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:35 (sixteen years ago) link
Where did I say there was?
― Tom D., Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:36 (sixteen years ago) link
You didn't, but when you claimed "his influence on reggae singers cannot be overestimated", I interpreted it as saying that he was the originator or the popularizer of certain singing technique(s), and I don't think he was either. What were you trying to claim with that sentence then?
― Tuomas, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:39 (sixteen years ago) link
Kind of simple, a lot of reggae singers HAVE TRIED TO SOUND LIKE CURTIS MAYFIELD... duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
and his particular sort of phrasing can be traced to people like Sam Cooke (and other gospel singers before him).
Wrong. His phrasing is one of the most distinctive features of his singing, and it's one that singers who like Curtis Mayfield's voice and are trying to sound a bit like Curtis Mayfield will try to approximate
― Tom D., Tuesday, 20 November 2007 13:43 (sixteen years ago) link
"i cant believe titchy has reached the point of meaningless pedantry that he's arguing 'people get ready' drags the train metaphor on 'a bit too long'"
it does though.
― titchyschneiderMk2, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 15:52 (sixteen years ago) link
um, CLASSIC, at least until Short Eyes, which was about 1977-78. his entire oeuvre up to then is better (IMO) than the better-known 70s heavyweights like stevie wonder or marvin gaye or donny hathaway. i don't buy a lot of soul albums on vinyl because they're always to spotty, but anything by curtis from that period is just amazing wherever you drop the needle.
his albums after short eyes are all pretty rough though, with only a few standout tracks in total. hard to believe someone so strong fell off so fast as the decades changed.
check out "love me, love me now" from "Something to Believe In": it's an amazingly deep soul-cum-disco burner. moodymann drops this in his sets all the time and it just goes off something nice...
― Jah Q Areas, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 16:42 (sixteen years ago) link
super classic -- my fave is "Curtis Live!" which may well be my fave live album ever. A great, warm vibe. Still a lot I haven't heard, but I love everything I've gotten my hands on.
― tylerw, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 17:01 (sixteen years ago) link
He's my favorite male vocalist, one of my favorite guitar players, and obviously one of the best, if not the best, songwriter in the realm of funk/soul. So obviously he's classic, and yes I do think he deserves godlike status. "There's No Place Like America Today" is so brilliant!
It always upsets me when I think about how those stage lights fell on and paralyzed him.
― Patrick South, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:30 (sixteen years ago) link
Tom D is right; three-man reggae harmony group singing--including virtually all roots reggae ever recorded--would have been inconceivable without the Impressions' influence. Try listening to a classic well-known example like the Wailers' Burnin', for instance.
― JN$OT, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:57 (sixteen years ago) link
I still don't understand why Marvin Gaye and Barry White are still more popular in the collective subconcious.
― Moka, Tuesday, 14 October 2008 18:46 (fifteen years ago) link
uh way more hits?
― Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 14 October 2008 18:48 (fifteen years ago) link
hey tuomas: http://www.jr.com/product/music/pm/_357438/
JA singers idolized Mayfield more than any other singer. There's a preponderance of Mayfield covers that is out of proportion to Mayfield's popularity in other locales, including America.
― Granny Dainger, Tuesday, 14 October 2008 18:55 (fifteen years ago) link
extra classic for all the weird low-key extra-curricular curtom stuff, writing songs for the fascinations (girls are out to get you &c) and stuff.
― schlump, Tuesday, 14 October 2008 18:58 (fifteen years ago) link
The Honesty album is pretty good from the 80s. Dirty Laundry and What you Gawn Do are nice picks.70s stuff classic of course
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Tuesday, 14 October 2008 19:18 (fifteen years ago) link
Thanks for the info, I guess I was being way too dismissive upthread.
As for Mayfield vs. White or Gaye, I think the quality Mayfield's recorded output started to become quite uneven in the mid-70s (despite singular gems hidden in almost all of his albums), and he never managed to make a proper comeback later on, like Gaye and White did. Also - and in no way am I dismissing Gay or White here - I think Mayfield was less interested or less capable of composing obvious hit material. If you listen to his 70s solo albums, most of the tunes on them are rather complex both musically and lyrically, with not that many clear hit tunes on them. I guess he did try a more populist approach in the late 70s and early 80s, but by then he was pretty much behind his time already.
― Tuomas, Tuesday, 14 October 2008 19:39 (fifteen years ago) link
In a cafe in Glasgow recently, I heard a long version of Crutis Mayfield's "Give me your love", which was great, but I don't know where it comes from. Does anyone have any idea?
― Keith, Tuesday, 14 October 2008 19:49 (fifteen years ago) link
i know that danny krivit did a long edit of sisters love doing 'give me your love'
barbara mason did a version too that was probably disco-length
― joe 40oz (deej), Tuesday, 14 October 2008 19:57 (fifteen years ago) link
(video above is not the krivit edit obv)
oh and mayfield did produce the sisters love version
― joe 40oz (deej), Tuesday, 14 October 2008 19:58 (fifteen years ago) link
Hmm, maybe what I wrote above is a bit too simple. Obviously he was able to write hits in the 60s, when he was still with the Impressionns. But during the 70s his hit potential seems to have grdually waned, either by conscious artistic decision or for other reasons. I would say, though, that not too many of his 70s tunes are as immediately catchy as "People Get Ready", "Choice of Colors", "Keep on Pushing", "We're a Winner", "This Is My Country", etc. (And I don't mean to say that his 70s output is either better or worse than the Impressions stuff, just different.)
― Tuomas, Tuesday, 14 October 2008 20:04 (fifteen years ago) link
Deej, whilst there are a long list of things that are amazing about that clip, it's not the thing I heard, which really did just sound like Crutis Mayfield himself, but longer. I do wonder though, as I can't find any reference to it. A disco version sounds great though. I will have to look for that.
x-post
― Keith, Tuesday, 14 October 2008 20:04 (fifteen years ago) link
The first three solo albums- Curtis/ Live! and Roots are flawless. From here Superfly was patchy and i haven't heard anything else from the 70's. Is there anything else from this era which is also good? He also wore cool clothes. He managed to be 'conscious' and 'organic' without being yukky. I think he just had the knack for writing good songs which combined with that voice made for heaven. The Impressions were just as good. I think the reason he wasn't as big as Al Green/ Barry White/ Marvin Gaye was because he didn't sell himself as 'sex' like the others did- and he wore glasses. Not to take anything away from the Reverend and Mr Gaye.. (but maybe just to take a little away from Barry White who I thought was all husk and no song.)
― Hinklepicker, Wednesday, 15 October 2008 06:25 (fifteen years ago) link
all husk and no song.
all rong
― joe 40oz (deej), Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:06 (fifteen years ago) link
Back to the World, Got to Find a Way, and Sweet Exorcist are all good albums. BTTW is probably my favorite of the 3.
― Granny Dainger, Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:14 (fifteen years ago) link
but shit man if you think Superfly was patchy, who knows what you'll like.
― Granny Dainger, Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:15 (fifteen years ago) link
Back to the World has a brilliant A side, but the B side is kinda weak compared to that.
― Tuomas, Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:16 (fifteen years ago) link
"Back to the World" is great, so much so that the guy i gave a loan of it to ten years ago still hasn't given me it back!
― Ich Ber ein Binliner (Tom D.), Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:20 (fifteen years ago) link
http://www.discogs.com/release/800885
Would you think getting this collection is a good choice? I already have more than third of the songs on various albums, but it's on sale for 25 euros, which doesn't sound that expensive for a 4 CD collection, and I'm not sure if I want to buy all of Mayfield's late 70s and 80s albums just because they may contain one or two great songs.
― Tuomas, Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:31 (fifteen years ago) link
http://www.discogs.com/release/507590
Also, has anyone heard this remix album? Is it any good?
― Tuomas, Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Usually I'm not at all puritanical about this things, but it does seem kinda blasphemous to do a Club Remix of "People Get Ready".
― Tuomas, Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:36 (fifteen years ago) link
― I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO (Colonel Poo), Wednesday, 15 October 2008 14:39 (fifteen years ago) link
There's No Place Like America Today is my (as well as a few friends') favorite Mayfield album. "So in Love"!!!
― Patrick South, Wednesday, 15 October 2008 15:36 (fifteen years ago) link
Curtis, Curtis Live, Roots & Superfly is a heck of a run of albums. I spent the weekend listening to all four a few times and they are just perfect. Curtis Mayfield had just about the perfect sound, it was funky, fuzzy and driving yet laid back, lovely and melodic at the same time. That is not an easy combination to pull off.
― earlnash, Monday, 14 June 2010 02:24 (thirteen years ago) link
Curtis Live is probably one of the top ten live albums ever -- so good.
― tylerw, Monday, 14 June 2010 03:40 (thirteen years ago) link
The Impressions, "The Young Mod's Forgotten Story" is CLASSIC.
― silence is a rhythm too (Turangalila), Monday, 14 June 2010 06:57 (thirteen years ago) link
Mods'
Does he deserve the "god-like" status attributed to him
Curtis does (he's up there with Ellington as far as I'm concerned), and so does his bassist, who I've gathered was Joseph "Lucky" Scott, no?
― hope this helps (Granny Dainger), Friday, 3 September 2010 18:10 (thirteen years ago) link
This thread made me very happy.
― Mule, Saturday, 11 February 2012 12:58 (twelve years ago) link
Can't understand how anyone could diss Curtis Mayfield. I even like his 80s stuff, like Dirty Laundry
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Saturday, 11 February 2012 18:53 (twelve years ago) link
Good lord, who could dislike Curtis Mayfield??
Me, I love most of it - but Curtis and '75's There's No Place Like America Today are my favorites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvSfeanNFIM
― chromecassettes, Sunday, 12 February 2012 02:44 (twelve years ago) link
Curtis, Curtis Live, Roots & Superfly is a heck of a run of albums. I spent the weekend listening to all four a few times and they are just perfect. Curtis Mayfield had just about the perfect sound, it was funky, fuzzy and driving yet laid back, lovely and melodic at the same time. That is not an easy combination to pull off.― earlnash, Sunday, June 13, 2010 10:24 PM (1 year ago)
― earlnash, Sunday, June 13, 2010 10:24 PM (1 year ago)
― Only the RONG Survive (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 12 February 2012 06:03 (twelve years ago) link
Is there a concert length video of him from the early 70s anywhere? I've only come across isolated single tracks from OGWT and a couple of US various artists shows.
Plus Curtis Live is the only live audio full length that I've come across from the 70s. think a couple of 90s shows have appeared but I prefer the original era.
To add to comment earlier in the thread I thought he was in the middle of a major comeback when a lighting rig fell on him. The Wag Club type crowd of 80s/90s hipster/mod types (I'm thinking Acid Jazz-type folks) seemed to really like him and I think it was crossing over a bit more mainstream if I remember rightly.
There is a pretty good bio dvd on him called Movin On Up which is interspersed with performance videos. Must rewatch it. But from what I can recall of looking at it before you can't isolate the performances from the narrative and I don't think they're full performances. Hope rewatching proves that wrong though.
― Stevolende, Sunday, 12 February 2012 10:44 (twelve years ago) link
I could be wrong but I think many of the performances are lip synchs fromn memory - hence disappointing.
― Hinklepicker, Sunday, 12 February 2012 20:07 (twelve years ago) link
I liked him live when I saw him in the old 930 Club on F St in DC, in hmmm, the 80s or 90s.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 13 February 2012 14:59 (twelve years ago) link
are those Impressions albums worth picking up, or should I just stick with a comp? there are so many of them and I imagine many of them are just vehicles for the singles. but, maybe I'll be surprised?
― frogbs, Thursday, 22 March 2012 19:26 (twelve years ago) link
The Young Mods' Forgotten Story is beautiful. Get it.
― Turangalila, Thursday, 22 March 2012 20:09 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_9Xy2JF1vo
― Turangalila, Thursday, 22 March 2012 20:10 (twelve years ago) link
if you're not doing anything else today you might listen to There's No Place Like America Today and groove the fuck out to a genius piece of music
― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Friday, 25 May 2012 18:28 (eleven years ago) link
So in Love is incredible.
― I wish to incorporate disco into my small business (chap), Monday, 28 May 2012 15:04 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah that whole album is perfect, my second of his favourite after the debut.
― Kitchen Person, Monday, 28 May 2012 18:39 (eleven years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuytQvycLag
― Turangalila, Tuesday, 29 May 2012 00:11 (eleven years ago) link
― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Friday, May 25, 2012 2:28 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
yes! been doing this a lot lately
― horseshoe, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 23:52 (eleven years ago) link
This is totally otm.
― Only the RONG Survive (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, February 12, 2012
Was listening to these on a long car ride this weekend. Great stuff
― curmudgeon, Monday, 5 November 2012 16:00 (eleven years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi6DDa5cVMU
― j., Monday, 5 November 2012 23:24 (eleven years ago) link
'Back to the World,' 'Got to Find a Way,' 'There's No Place Like America Today,' 'Sweet Exorcist' and 'Short Eyes' never get enough props. Somebody needs to make those albums easily available. Mayfield is definitely my favorite soul artist.
^this. I picked up vinyl of 'Let's Do it Again' OST, produced by Curtis with Staple Singers on at least one track. Also recommended.
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Tuesday, 6 November 2012 01:58 (eleven years ago) link
How did I previously miss "There's No Place Like America Today"? Had seen it, but never listened till last night on Spotify.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 6 November 2012 15:34 (eleven years ago) link
I think it may have been one of the first of his lps I heard about since it was on the mid 80s NME best 100 lps of all time list if I remember rightly. Took me a lot longer to get my hands on it and I really need to give it another ear soon. Iconic cover.
I have most of the solo lps up to about '75. Really need to grab the 2fer cd of Sweet Exorcist/Got to Find a Way and could do with a new copy of the s/t lp Curtis. Think my last copy is in pretty naff state.
Still wish there was more performance footage of him around.
― Stevolende, Tuesday, 6 November 2012 20:12 (eleven years ago) link
How had I never heard this before?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy56BvFDgEE
― MaudAddam (cryptosicko), Monday, 29 December 2014 14:13 (nine years ago) link
this is the shit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sBQPVnKO_Y
― The Reverend, Monday, 29 December 2014 18:50 (nine years ago) link
"Do Do Wap" was a common pick of mine when I dj'd out. Love that song. I had never heard the Patti Jo one, really diggin' my first listen.
― The Thelonius Monk of nu-ki? (Dan Peterson), Monday, 29 December 2014 19:03 (nine years ago) link
Doo Doo Wap is one of my favourite Curtis songs. Short Eyes is his most underrated album.
He did his own version of Make Me Believe In You on Sweet Exorcist but I think the first version I heard of it was Amerie's cover in 2007.
― Kitchen Person, Monday, 29 December 2014 19:26 (nine years ago) link
Never heard short eyes. Title always weirded me out a bit
― Οὖτις, Monday, 29 December 2014 19:27 (nine years ago) link
I assume he meant something else besides pedophile
― Οὖτις, Monday, 29 December 2014 19:35 (nine years ago) link
the first version I heard of it was Amerie's cover in 2007
same tbh
― The Reverend, Monday, 29 December 2014 20:01 (nine years ago) link
mayfield's records are pretty damn strong until the end of the 1970s, then they start getting soporific pretty quick.
― I dunno. (amateurist), Tuesday, 30 December 2014 00:06 (nine years ago) link
XP - Cusrtis' Short Eyes album is a soundtrack to a prison flick which details how child molesters are treated in prison.
So, yes, it is a pedo reference.
― austinato (Austin), Tuesday, 30 December 2014 00:33 (nine years ago) link
*Curtis'
― austinato (Austin), Tuesday, 30 December 2014 00:34 (nine years ago) link
75th Birthday Tribute event in Washington DC
*Curtis Mayfield tribute with Professor Aaron Cohen and DJ Jahsonic at 11 am Sunday December 17th at the National Gallery of Art East wing Theatre for free followed by movie Urban Soul at 1:30pm
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 17 December 2017 06:15 (six years ago) link
https://www.nga.gov/calendar/lectures/lectures-signings/curtis-mayfield-tribute.html
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 17 December 2017 06:16 (six years ago) link
An interesting presentation. Professor mentioned Mayfield's use of f sharp, and how Hendrix learned some from Mayfield when Jimi opened for him. He played a demo from when Mayfield was 15 and showed a video clip of Mayfield acting in a movie
― curmudgeon, Monday, 18 December 2017 21:52 (six years ago) link
Looking forward to Cohen’s book, although I also need to read that one by Mayfield’s son
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 19 December 2017 16:03 (six years ago) link
Over the years, I've become to really love "Here but I'm Gone". That tune is so lovely, sad and true. It even takes a whole other trip when you consider the circumstances that Curtis wrote and sung it. It is a rare piece of music that if considered, makes you check yourself.
― earlnash, Wednesday, 20 December 2017 04:03 (six years ago) link
Future Song (Love a Woman) slays
https://open.spotify.com/track/3hi078NgfqTvFj98hbECFR?si=tzu63FwrQ6-jDkJX5p824A
― calstars, Sunday, 31 December 2017 01:51 (six years ago) link
Shit is tight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpJtb3rL2SU
― calstars, Sunday, 31 December 2017 01:59 (six years ago) link
HAWTT uncut '72 set from Beat Club:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk4n52qwwlI
Soundcheck from same:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF1uF-28MZE
― a large tuna called “Justice” (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 28 February 2019 23:33 (five years ago) link
absolute perfection.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Friday, 1 March 2019 17:10 (five years ago) link
damn, curtis is so good
― tylerw, Friday, 1 March 2019 17:14 (five years ago) link
inner city blues, holy shit!
― voodoo chili, Friday, 1 March 2019 17:16 (five years ago) link
yeah this set is radical. whole band smokes.
― tylerw, Friday, 1 March 2019 17:28 (five years ago) link
XP IKR Silly me never realized until now how much of a Curtis song it is.
― a large tuna called “Justice” (C. Grisso/McCain), Friday, 1 March 2019 18:02 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSoULq1pOsEThe Notations - Superpeople
Heard this and thought wow that's the most Curtis Mayfield-y thing I've ever heard. Turns out they were on the Curtom label. Dope song.
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Wednesday, 20 May 2020 20:08 (three years ago) link
So classic. I'm no expert or completist, but did Curtis ever sing in anything other than his falsetto?
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 20 May 2020 20:12 (three years ago) link
Tuomas being so dense itt.
― Is Lou Reed a Good Singer? (Tom D.), Wednesday, 20 May 2020 20:30 (three years ago) link
hmm. I mean I'd say technically he goes out of a true falsetto a lot but I can't think of anything that wasn't in a high register.
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Wednesday, 20 May 2020 20:32 (three years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOzlCJDPjV0This song has the lowest register vocals from him that I've heard, and he still does a semi-falsetto in the chorus.
― Tuomas, Wednesday, 20 May 2020 20:50 (three years ago) link
Anyone know anything about the Rhino reissue of his first 4 solo albums that happened last year?
― Heez, Saturday, 6 June 2020 02:55 (three years ago) link
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Keeping-Curtis-Mayfield-1970-1974/dp/B07KLS2XDZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=curtis+mayfield&qid=1591438979&sr=8-1
This one? It is a nice set.
― earlnash, Saturday, 6 June 2020 10:24 (three years ago) link
Yeah that one. Reading some good things
― Heez, Saturday, 6 June 2020 14:01 (three years ago) link
hard to beat that price tbh
― budo jeru, Saturday, 6 June 2020 14:18 (three years ago) link
Looks good, be prepared, tho, that Sweet Exorcist isn't quite as good as the first three. That and his other 1974 album Got to Find a Way are okay, then There's No Place Like America Today from 1975 raises the bar again, but that one is pretty much his last truly good album. The ones after that are still worth listening because they usually have one or two great songs, but his peak creative period as a solo artist was those five years from 1970 to 1975.
― Tuomas, Saturday, 6 June 2020 14:43 (three years ago) link
wrong, "sweet exorcist" is amazing
― budo jeru, Saturday, 6 June 2020 14:55 (three years ago) link
Oh lord that long LP version of "Move On Up" is one serious bongo jam.
― earlnash, Saturday, 25 July 2020 04:21 (three years ago) link
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Keeping-Curtis-Mayfield-1970-1974/dp/B07KLS2XDZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=curtis+mayfield&qid=1591438979&sr=8-1🕸This one? It is a nice set.
― Heez, Saturday, 25 July 2020 13:10 (three years ago) link
boooo!
Oh lord that long LP version of "Move On Up" is one serious bongo jam.― earlnash, Friday, July 24, 2020 9:21 PM
― earlnash, Friday, July 24, 2020 9:21 PM
alltime jam.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Thursday, 30 July 2020 04:06 (three years ago) link
Two greatest 'wow's ever: Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront, when Rod Steiger pulls the gun on him in the backseat; "If you wanna be a junkie, wow."
― clemenza, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 03:20 (three years ago) link
Wow
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 17:52 (three years ago) link
To be invisibleWill be my claim to fameA man with no nameThat way, I won't have to feel the painIndispensableJust a plain old human beingToday, don't mean a thingIn a world that's so meanA world that seems not for meSo privately, I'll be invisibleThat way, I won't have to explain a thing, if you know what I meanI won't even have to be here, on the sceneIt's so ridiculousBut the strife and the blissWill go right on through, right on through meTo have missedAll the things that hurt your soulNo one would ever knowThey'd never knowLife so preciouslyJust don't seem to beAs free as they claim freedom to beThings are going fastTo have found that all is in the pastTo have to take what you can getSure can make a heart upsetInconspicuousI must behave myselfFor somebody elseWho may have a little fame, fortune and wealthIt's so ridiculousBut the strife and the blissWill go right on through, right on through meTo have missedA world that seems not for meSo privately, I'll be invisibleThat way, I won't have to explain a thing, if you know what I meanI won't even have to be here, on the sceneIt's so ridiculousBut the strife and the blissWill go right on through, right on through meTo have missedAll the things that hurt your soulNo one would ever knowThey'd never knowLife so preciouslyJust don't seem to meAs free as they claim freedom to beThings are going fastTo have found that all is in the pastTo have to take what you can getSure can make a heart upsetSo I'll be invisibleInvisibleInvisible
Wow what an amazing lyric-So heartbreaking and profound
― X-Prince Protégé (sonnyboy), Friday, 30 June 2023 19:38 (nine months ago) link
The man had a highly rare sense of grace that was definitely captured in his music.
― The Artist formerly known as Earlnash, Friday, 30 June 2023 19:49 (nine months ago) link