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From the Vault...
02/22/2009
#1139 |
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info
Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions
"The Anthology 1961-1977"
© MCA Records
Year of Release: 1992
Rating:
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track listing
Disc One:
Gypsy Woman
Grow Closer Together
Never Let Me Go
Little Young Lover
Minstrel And Queen
I'm The One
Who Loves You
Sad Sad Girl And Boy
It's All Right
Talking About My Baby
I'm So Proud
Keep On Pushing
You Must Believe Me
See The Real Me
Amen
I've Been Trying
People Get Ready
It's Hard To Believe
Woman's Got Soul
Meeting Over Yonder
I Need You
You've Been Cheatin'
Man Oh Man
Can't Satisfy
We're A Winner
I Loved And I Lost
We're Rolling On
(Part One)
Disc Two:
Fool For You
This Is My Country
Choice Of Colors
Check Out Your Mind
Move On Up
(Don't Worry)
If There's A
Hell Below
We're All Going
To Go
The Makings Of You
Beautiful Brother Of Mine
Freddie's Dead
Superfly
Pusherman
So In Love
Only You Babe
(single edit)
Do Do Wap Is Strong
In Here (single edit)
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Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions
"The Anthology 1961-1977"
Most music fans from the Soul era of the 1970s decade may remember Curtis Mayfield
popular with his solo song, "Superfly." But for some, thay may not know that he
started out in music in the early 1960s with his group, The Impressions. He wrote/co-wrote
many of their popular hits, likewise on his own in his solo years of the 1970s. Of the
most popular songs from the Impressions era was "Gypsy Woman" (also popular by the
likes of Brian Hyland and Jay & The Americans, "It's All Right" (which would later
be performed a-cappela by Huey Lewis & The News), "People Get Ready" (recorded later
by the likes of Bob Marley and together by Jeff Beck & Rod Stewart). Another song I
remember while growing up was "Keep On Pushing." Another impressive hit was the
gospel standard "Amen." As the 1960s drew to a close, Mayfield would become
involved with the Civil Rights movement. As the 1970s arrived, he would continue writing
and recording songs in the political atmoshphere. He would be best remembered
for two songs from the same album and movie Superfly -- the title track, and
"Freddie's Dead." His Superfly album reached #1 on the album chart
in October, 1972, for 4 weeks. Mayfield's songwriting credit would become big
hits for other artists in the 1960s -- such as "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um" by Major
Lance, and "He Will Break Your Heart" by Jerry Butler.
Soul and R&B best describes the other songs by The Impressions in this set, having a
more soulful approach, and likewise the doo-wop sound that was most popular in the 1950s of
Rock and Roll. Alot of the soulful songs were easily compared to the likes of
other popular black singers of the late 1960s, such as Marvin Gaye, and Jerry Butler (who
in the beginning of The Impressions was vocalist; Mayfield replaced Butler after he left
the group, and became lead singer). His high falsetto voice during the Impressions era
was never heard from previous artists and vocal groups. His falsetto voice would be
very prominent in his biggest hits. The Impressions' music could also be easily
compared to Motown, and on the note of high falsetto voices, The Temptations would
also be famous using high and low voices throughout their incredible career, although
The Temptations would become famous after 1961, which Mayfield's first hit with The
Impressions would surface, "Gypsy Woman."
Mayfield would become a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, yet he
would be unable to attend, due to health reasons. His right leg was amptutated in
1998, as a result of diabetes. What would be more sad to learn, that in 1990, he
became paralyzed from the neck down, while performing. Stage lighting equipment
fell on him during a concert in Brooklyn, New York. Although through these two
health tragedies, he would continue recording until his death. Curtis Mayfield
passed away on December 26, 1999.
Curtis Mayfield's music will always hold a special place in popular music history,
as he wrote great tunes for the Impressions, and related to the times of the late 1960s
and early 1970s with politically themed songs. The Anthology 1961-1977 is an
excellent assortment of a true Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. Discovering his music,
pre-, during, and post- Superfly is a treat on this compilation.
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