Rooster_Ties Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 (edited) I've really been diggin' some of Curtis Mayfield's early 70's solo albums recently. I first heard the Superfly soundtrack back in college (circa late 80's - found an original LP of it in the stacks at the college radio station, complete with the deluxe die-cut gatefold cover), and I quickly fell in love with it. (Got the expanded 2-CD issue too, the very week it came out a few years ago.) Then I picked up "The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield" on CD sometime in the mid 90's, and dug it too. But almost never seeing any full Mayfield CD's in stock anywhere (or used, especially), I left it at that. (All you ever see in stores are Mayfield compilations, pretty much.) Then a few years ago, I picked up the Rhino CD issue of his first solo album, Curtis (with a ton of bonus tracks, mostly all demos plus a few backing tracks), and it's done nothing but grow and grow on me since. The demos, especially, are really great!! And just today found a used copy of the recent Rhino issue of Roots, and it should be in my mailbox early next week. So, what should I get next?? Has Rhino released any other full-length Mayfield albums besides Superfly, Curtis, Roots, and Curtis/Live! (the last of which I don't have yet)?? FYI, I'm probably more interested in his studio material, over the live discs -- and I'm leaning towards his earlier solo material (mid-70's and earlier), over his later stuff. And since I love his first solo album "Curtis" so much, is the very latest (late 60's) Impressions material worth seeking out?? Edited January 27, 2006 by Rooster_Ties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFrank Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 You should get "Curtis/Live", actually. It's an excellent album, and considered one of his best by many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Trouble Man too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Johnson Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 (edited) This is Marvin, right? (I mean, yes, he should get it...but Curtis isn't on it, is he?) Trouble Man too! ← Edited November 2, 2005 by Peter Johnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 You should get "Curtis/Live", actually. It's an excellent album, and considered one of his best by many. ← Hear hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundog Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 "Curtis/Live" then consider this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fent99 Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 I'll second (or third) Curtis/Live its a lovely loose album and a double on one cd. There's plenty of reissues that sound fine (though not remastered) and should be cheap enough. After that its less clear though there's something of interest on most of the next few. Don't think the Impressions albums stack up in quite the same way but a good compilation is a must. Definitive Impressions on Kent out of the UK is brilliant/essential and there's a second volume though I've not sprung for that yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felser Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 I'll second (or third) Curtis/Live its a lovely loose album and a double on one cd. There's plenty of reissues that sound fine (though not remastered) and should be cheap enough. After that its less clear though there's something of interest on most of the next few. Don't think the Impressions albums stack up in quite the same way but a good compilation is a must. Definitive Impressions on Kent out of the UK is brilliant/essential and there's a second volume though I've not sprung for that yet. ← Backing up my friend Colin, Curtis/Live is well worthwhile, great sound on the Rhino reissue, and definitely go for the Impressions collections. "I'm So Proud" is the theme song of my marriage, and "Choice of Colors" is THE great racial reconciliation song. I never found Mayfield's post-Superfly material to be worthwhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stereojack Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Gotta agree with the raves for "Curtis Live". A masterpiece!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 is the very latest (late 60's) Impressions material worth seeking out?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 A quality Impressions comp is essential. Just make sure that it has the post-Mayfield "Finally Got Myself Together". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted November 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 (edited) A quality Impressions comp is essential. Just make sure that it has the post-Mayfield "Finally Got Myself Together". ← Anyone care to recomend a good Impressions comp? And one that gives the late 60's Impressions their fair shake (so, not all early stuff). Any other post-Mayfield Impressions tunes to keep an eye out for on comps?? Thanks!! Edited November 2, 2005 by Rooster_Ties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 (edited) I don't know that there is any one compilation on the market right now that covers the entire history of the Impressions, from Vee-Jay to ABC to Curtom. There should be, But there has been a complete Vee-Jay CD out (Jerry Butler's great on this stuff), Rhino's got a "Very Best Of..." disc that covers the main ABC hits (and includes "Finally...") & there was a 2-CD anthology of the Curtom years that was 1/2 Mayfield years, 1/2 post-Mayfield years (as you seem to have found!). Edited November 2, 2005 by JSngry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 As long as you're on AMG, check out the sample of "Finally..." I can listen to that tune for hours on end. And have... I don't care if it & "Let's Get It On" are nearly somewhat identical. Both were written by Ed Townsend, and if you can't steal from yourself... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted November 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 (edited) As long as you're on AMG, check out the sample of "Finally Got Myself Together" I can listen to that tune for hours on end. And have...← Been there (to the sample of "Finally...") and done that - sounds good to me! This 1968-76 comp (below) looks MIGHTY good (sorry, but the early Impressions material just doesn't do it for me nearly as much). And, it does have "Finally..." Link: Indelible Impressions: The Curtom Anthology 1968-1976 (two CD's) Can anybody find this 68-76 comp available on-line?? Can't seem to find it anywhere (and Froogle can't either). Edited November 3, 2005 by Rooster_Ties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 This is Marvin, right? (I mean, yes, he should get it...but Curtis isn't on it, is he?) Trouble Man too! ← ← Whoops, brain fart. Get Curtis Mayfield's school of 20th century soul compilation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Johnson Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Sorry Noj, I didn't mean to call you out--actually, I was thinking that if Curtis had indeed recorded trouble man, I sure as hell would want a copy of it! This is Marvin, right? (I mean, yes, he should get it...but Curtis isn't on it, is he?) Trouble Man too! ← ← Whoops, brain fart. Get Curtis Mayfield's school of 20th century soul compilation. ← Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Hey, I earned it. Sometimes the ol' synapses just fire incorrectly. No points this round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relyles Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 He does not sing on it, but Mayfield wrote all the music for the soundtrack to "Sparkle", which features Aretha Franklin. A great spotlight for Mayfield songs and Franklin's voice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalupa Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 (edited) Two of my favorite songs by Curtis - "Move On Up" and "Billy Jack" - does anyone know which albums they were originally released on??? I know I could prolly find them on a comp but I'd rather hear them in their original context. Thanks in advance. Edited November 2, 2005 by Chalupa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted November 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 (edited) Two of my favorite songs by Curtis - "Move On Up" and "Billy Jack" - does anyone know which albums they were originally released on??? I know I could prolly find them on a comp but I'd rather hear them in their original context. Thanks in advance.← "Move On Up" is from his first solo album, "Curtis" (1970). And "Billy Jack" (a tune I'm not sure I'm familiar with), is from "There's No Place Like America Today" (1975). Edited November 3, 2005 by Rooster_Ties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalupa Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Now that my brain has been relieved of flatulence, I'd also recommend "Got To Find A Way" with the great song "Ain't No Love Lost." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted November 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 (edited) Reviews (HERE) of every Mayfield-related Impressions release, and all of Mayfield's solo albums and projects -- in chronological order. Pretty sure I don't agree with all the reviews, but at least everything is layed out all in one place (on the same page). (Thought I'd bookmark it here, for future reference.) Edited November 3, 2005 by Rooster_Ties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted November 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 (edited) Well, ROOTS still hasn't gotten here in the mail yet (maybe yet today, knock on wood). And now I've also got BACK TO THE WORLD (1973) on the way to my door (in an order from Dusty). I almost (but didn't) pull the trigger on GOT TO FIND A WAY (1974). I listened to the on-line samples a bunch of times, and I just didn't hear anything with any punch. (It was mostly very mellow tunes, most of the 'love song' variety. Could've gotten it cheap too ($8 from Dusty), but it ain't that much of a bargain if I hardly listen to it.) Next I gotta find me them late-60's era Impressions dates (the last three dates with Curtis, all of 'em on Curtom). Edited September 22, 2006 by Rooster_Ties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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