By acooolcat (211.78.0.219 - 211.78.0.219) on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 02:04 pm:

A funny thing happened yesterday while I was in Hong Kong. I was drinking coffee - when low and behold what comes on the cafe's music system? Nothing but The Impressions, singing "People Get Ready". I guess this may not seem much to most of you, but here in Asia I'm starved of my favorite music; this is the first time I've heard 60s soul played. It really made my day.
It also reminded me about the CD that Ace/Kent have recently released called "Impressed" - which is a compilation of vocal groups that were influenced by The Impressions. I suggest you go out and buy it; not that Curtis can be bettered, but so you'll realise what an impact he made - and still does - on me, sitting in a Hong Kong coffee shop in 2002. I bet that would make him smile. What a true genius he was.
Graham

By Carl Dixon (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 02:06 pm:

acoolcat -

I love Johnny Pate brass arrangments. I think he does something with a 7th! Is that right Bobby, do you know the sound I mean??

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 02:08 pm:

I don't know if you guys are aware of it, but Curtis Mayfield was one of the biggest influences on Jamaican music in the sixties. The original Wailers - Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingstone modelled themselves on the Impressions.

By phillysoulman (152.163.197.76 - 152.163.197.76) on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 05:05 pm:

Having worked with Curtis in Chicago and Philly, I truly think that he has been an all over influence on many musical genres. What a gentleman he was and a wonderful and original in his guitar technique, and he was a leftie!!!
And Carl, the Pate thing was a Major 7th and sometimes a dominant 7th. I heard some 13ths as well. Definitely the consumate Chicago arranger.
Rich Tufo did some great string arrangements, and later when I worked for him Gil Askey ....what can I say!!!