| Author | Message | ||
  DyvaNaye (westside314) 6-Zenith Username: westside314 Post Number: 923 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
Kev Lo started a thread on Gene Chandler and Jerry Butler...now I want to talk about Curtis Mayfield. Im sure he has been discussed on this forum many times but I have to bring him back up. Is there any other CM/Impressions junkies out there along with me? This man/groups vocally styling is not often talked about but 'good night Irene' these brothers could *blow-up* some soul singing. I got in a mood this week to listen to CM and the Impressions and could not stop playing him/them until the whole catalog was covered. The think I love about these men other than the vocal styling is the fact that I cant think of a bad song they made, or put their DNA on. They are most definetly the kind of group whose music could play through a party all night and you never get tired of hearing them. These men, I feel were put together by GOD, particularly the songs of the 1960's. The vocall harmonies are unmatched, and can purely bring tears to your eyes. I cant think of any music today that can bring that kind of feeling over me - unless it is music from that era and shortly thereafter. These songs are *poetic justice*. Another thing I love about the Impressions is even the B sides were smokers. Here's my favorite's from this 'Impressionable' group and Curtis Mayfield: This Must End - ...have mercy! If this plays anyone around me can tell you this will play at least 20 times before I take it off. The kick butt verse: 'Remember dear, our first date...how all would admire and prove our perfect mate...' Man Curtis like to took me out of here with this one... the ending...'this must end'...with those vibes...Lord! Lord! Lord! too short! The song is a Kleenex moment! Another Dance - horn section kicks butt here. I've Loved and I've Lost ...great googa mooga! Curtis askes: 'What do you know about it?' inthe opening line...then he gets to the second verse and that percussion rolls and he states 'she was so beautiful, like flowers full bloom in May'...and Im telling you whom ever the drummer/percussionist is in this song is...'Bravo!' the person needs their hands and feet bronzed in platinum. Gone Away - the harmony when they sing 'GONE'...ha! Say You Love Me - this part: "Ive got to keep on singing...keep on singing, KEEP ON SINGING!' - Phew! Fool For You - drama, drama, drama...'blues' in a 2/4 beat. Listen to those words: 'Im a fool for you, Guess Ill always be, and I claim it famously...' The orchestration is FABULOUS!'ah ah ah ah ah hoo!' Fool for this record! Ive Been Trying - I think I latched on to this song because it reminds me of 'I Do Love You' - Billy Stewart. Curtis' vibrato is prevalent in this song. Moonlight Shadows - has this warm summer night in the 50's feel to it...' Moonlight SHHHHHAAAAAAAAADDOOOOOOOOWWWS' ! Never Could You Be - Those percussions again...and that Impressions harmony...'Never Could You be, richer than me...' and those tenor sax's are smoking... One Kiss From You - so romantic...that woman need to rethink her options in this joint...phew! come hither with CLASS! 'I guess we'll always be good friends...seems there it will end'... I have plenty more but I want to hear/read your b-side favorites of CM and the Impressions SDF... I know you all have some... DyvaNaye | ||
mel(andthensome) (mel) 6-Zenith Username: mel Post Number: 882 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.154.133.46 |
Dyva.... I started collecti g there material way back have the Imps 45's from the 60's plus The Superfly album is a solem. memory jerker for me from the 70's........ I am a big lover of all of them......... whichever year. cheers mel  | ||
mel(andthensome) (mel) 6-Zenith Username: mel Post Number: 883 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.154.133.46 |
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Dinelle (dinelle_watson) 5-Doyen Username: dinelle_watson Post Number: 308 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 65.6.77.106 |
Right now, I'm listening to Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up". I love that song. I also love "Pusherman", "Freddie's Dead", and "Superfly". | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 2408 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
As far as Curtis with The Impressions is concerned, I always loved Can't You See, what a ballad that was! It should've been a "A"-Side!!! I also liked: Man Oh Man See The Real Me I've Found That I've Lost It's Hard To Believe It's All Over I'm Loving Nothing My Woman's Love The Girl I Find Mighty Mighty On the solo tip: The Makings Of You Love To Keep You In My Mind Right On For The Darkness Need Someone To Love | ||
Kev-Lo (7273747576) 5-Doyen Username: 7273747576 Post Number: 241 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.236.117.240 |
Hi this is Kev-Lo hi DyvaNaye It's funny you mention the impressions I was playing them yesterday and I played Dear This Must End.What a great song | ||
mel(andthensome) (mel) 6-Zenith Username: mel Post Number: 892 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.152.20.84 |
Check out The Marvellos 45 you've bee goi g with sally for the ABC Label. a obscure mover that Curtis wrote.......... Juice cool-choices........ mel | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 2419 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Thanks Mel, But then again, it's very hard to go wrong with a Curtis song  Damn, Curtis is missed something terribly  | ||
GEETEE(HPK) (geeteehpk) 2-Debutant Username: geeteehpk Post Number: 14 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.42.142.190 |
Mel,"I Can't Satisfy" is one of my favorites,BUT I'm sure you know that Curtis go in trouble for stealing the melody of "This Ole Heart of Mind". He had to give up the rights to HDH. (I still like the song anyway.) DyvaNaye,as a Chicagoen,how can one not like Curtis Mayfield. :-) As a songwriter,performer,producer, guitarist,etc; the brother was BADD!!!! I'm planning on doing a tribute to Curtis in December.I'll play his work with the Impressions,solo material,and the artists he produced. BTW, does anyone on the list owned the Curtom Story? (double CD set of artists that either recorded or were produced by Curtis Mayfield) It's a MUST HAVE,if you're a true fan of his music and Chicago Soul.(for that matter) Some of my favorites by Curtis & the Impressions are: Seven Years Minstrels & Queen Never Let Me Go This is My Country Choice of Colors We're a Winner Check Out Your Mind We Must Be in Love(5 Stairsteps) Curtis solo material: If There's a Hell Below The Makings of You (both studio & live) Miss Black America Move On Up Give It Up Underground (from the Superfly Deluxe CD) Right On For The Darkness We People Who Are Darker Than Blue Eddie You Should Have Known Better Think (instrumental from Superfly) Can't Say Nothing Billy Jack You're So Good To Me(Mary JB sampled B Happy) Trippin' Out She Won't Let Nobody New World Order (his last recording) So you see, you got a brotha started. I'm waiting for KDubya and Don to add their input... (that is,if I missed anything) | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 5-Doyen Username: paladin Post Number: 332 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 206.185.64.23 |
I've posted several times about the music of Curtis Mayfield, most recently on the soundtrack thread. Like The Temptations and Dramatics one could hardly go wrong with a Curtis penned or performed song whether with his group or solo: I Loved and I Lost Fool for You (both orig. and new Impressions) Gypsy Woman Superfly "entire LP" If Theres a Hell Below Kung Fu Minstrel & Queen Keep On Pushing We're a Winner Sweet Exorcist Your So Good To Me You Must believe Me Its Alright Choice of Colors I Can't Get Satisfied Its all over And as Gary mentioned ...the tracks that Curtis did for other artists like Gladys, Stairsteps, Gene Chandler and Major Lance were simply exceptional. A long time ago I stopped refering to The Impressions catolog as "b" sides because too many of them were better than what some other artists were producing as A list hits. Curtis although not as popular was just as prolific as his comrade in arms Mr. Smokey Robinson and it didn't hurt that he was from Chicago.....because he brought that Chi-town flava...as Juice said we all miss him terribly. Kdub PS : since this is "The Dyva's" thread, can a brother get a little love and forgiveness so that he can come out of hiding and persue his lifelong dream of performing with the beautiful Diva? We got the steps and the background down pat...wanna hear it, here it go.....1, 2, 3, Chaka Khan...Chaka Khan.....Chaka Khan..... (Message edited by Paladin on September 20, 2004) | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 6-Zenith Username: ~medusa Post Number: 738 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.79.98.200 |
Mr. Curtis Mayfield was a musical Genius...not only was he writing & singing Love songs, but he was also in tune with the Civil Rights movement here in usa. He had a song for each and every platform of life...His last CD "New World Order" was a reminder of his great story telling serenades... | ||
Destruction (destruction) 6-Zenith Username: destruction Post Number: 463 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.173.224.2 |
Dyva, "Guess Ill always be, and I claim it famously." One of my fave couplets from the Impressions. Moonlight Shadows - One of the hardest songs to sing and stay on key, especially with just 3 guys... and very original. My 2 fave b-sides would be "It's All Over" and "The Makings of You". | ||
tricky (tricky) 1-Arriviste Username: tricky Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.133.202.146 |
people talk about dylan,lennon/mcartney,smokey and yes holland/dozier/holland but curtis blew them all away.a true poet and a god. | ||
Galactus (galactus) 3-Pundit Username: galactus Post Number: 50 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 207.144.253.114 |
I concur with most all of these. The B-sides by Curtis and the Impressions are my favorties, really..... One that I haven't seen mentioned, and it is probably favorite, is "I Need You", from the "Ridin' High" LP.......What great lyrics and what a melody! "Why introduce me to someone else when you know someone else I don't need?!! I need YOU-UUU...." Nice horns and guitar, too.... "I Loved and I Lost" is a close second, followed by "It's All Over", "Closer Together" and "Queen Majesty." "So Unusual" is another big favorite of mine.....awesome ballad from the "This is My Country" LP...... Curtis' solo stuff is another thing altogether....I'll have to think on that because there are so many, but I really love "Give It Up"....the final cut on the "Curtis" LP.....love the tune and lyrics. Beautiful. |
