Sunday, June 22, 2014

Black Music Month 2014: Curtis Mayfield



A name that doesn't need a "Celebrate" in front of it or an "Appreciation" behind it. No introduction or summary needed--just listen to the music...


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Below are a few songs Mr. Mayfield performed with the Chicago-based music group, The Impressions (or Jerry Butler and The Impressions):


"For Your Precious Love"


"For Your Precious Love" was this group's first single (released in 1958) and it was a big hit, peaking at Number 3 on the U.S. R&B chart and Number 11 on U.S. Pop chart.


"Come Back My Love"


The group's second single peaked at Number 29 on the R&B charts.



"G*psy Woman"



In 1960, Jerry Butler left The Impressions, and Curtis Mayfield took over as the group's new lead singer and songwriter. "Gypsy Woman" (released in 1961) was their first single post-Jerry Butler, and it was included as a track on their 1963 album simply titled, The Impressions.

*I acknowledge and am aware of the offensiveness of the word "gypsy" and its offensive and inaccurate use. I mean no harmful and negative intent with the inclusion of this song*

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"It's All Right"


Who doesn't love this song? In 1963, "It's All Right" was released as a single for the group's first album. Watch The Impressions perform the song on Hollywood A Go-Go in 1965.



"I'm So Proud"


It appears that this was the only single from the group's second album, The Never Ending Impressions (1964). This album contains a few jazz and pop standards, like "Satin Doll", "September Song", and "You Always Hurt the One You Love".



"People Get Ready"


"People Get Ready" was a single released from the album of the same name. Both the album and the single were high-charting on both the R&B chart and the Pop chart.



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Curtis Mayfield left The Impressions in 1970 to pursue a solo career, thus becoming one of the greatest singer-songwriters, musicians, and producers in music history.


"The Makings of You"


Though not released as a single, "The Makings of You" is a popular song from Curtis Mayfield's debut solo album, Curtis, released in September of 1970. It's been covered a few times--the earliest cover was by Gladys Knight and The Pips, who recorded it for the Curtis Mayfield-produced soundtrack for Claudine (1974). 



"Move On Up"


This is just one of my favorite songs, period. The music, the lyrics, the vocals, are just...sigh. I often wonder what it was like to be alive when this album came out, especially this song. 

The almost 9 minute song was not released as a single in the United States, but an edited version was released in the United Kingdom. It spent ten weeks in the Top 50 of the UK Singles Chart and peaked at Number 12.



"Keep On Keeping On"


This is a lovely track (but not a single) from Mr. Mayfield's second solo studio album, Roots (1971).


"Get Down"


Watch Curtis Mayfield perform "Get Down", a single from Roots, on Soul Train.



"A Piece of the Action" - performed by Mavis Staples
(From the Mayfield-composed/produced, Mavis Staples-performed soundtrack for the 1977 film of the same name)




"Back to the World"


This is a track from Curtis Mayfield's 1973 album of the same name. The album addresses the struggles that veterans faced after returning home from war, particularly the Vietnam War. Singles from the album include "Future Shock" and "Can't Say Nothin'".



"Mother's Son"


"Mother's Son" was the only single released from Curtis Mayfield's 1974 album, Got to Find a Way.



"Suffer"



Curtis Mayfield and Donny Hathaway co-wrote and composed this song about a love lost for the 1974 album, Sweet Exorcist.



"Kung Fu"



"Kung Fu" is the second single released from the Sweet Exorcist album. The first single shared the album's title. "Kung Fu" peaked at Number 3 on the R&B chart.



"So in Love"



This slow jam was the only single released from Mr. Mayfield's seventh studio album, There's No Place Like America Today, released in May of 1975.



"Only You Babe"



"Only You Babe" was the first single from the 1976 album, Give, Get, Take and Have. The groove and tempo is great for your best "hip pop, step; hip pop, step" move.





"Do Do Wap is Strong in Here"



This song (referred to as one of Curtis Mayfield's "last funk hits") was released as a single from Short Eyes, the soundtrack for 1977 film of the same name.



"Never Say You Can't Survive"



This is a track on Mr. Mayfield's 1977 album of the same name. It wasn't released as a single, but "Show Me Love" was. It was the album's only single.



"Do It All Night"



Here is the first single from Mr. Mayfield's modestly titled album of the same name, released in August of 1978.



"You Are, You Are"



Here is a nice disco track, also from Do It All Night. "You Are, You Are" was the album's second and highest charting single.



"This Year"



"This Year" was non-album single that was released in 1979.



"Between You Baby and Me"



"Between You Baby and Me" was first introduced on Mayfield's 1979 album, Heartbeat, then it appeared on his duet album with Linda Clifford, titled The Right Combination (1980).



"Love Me, Love Me Now"



This is the first track and first single from the 1980 album, Something to Believe In.



"She Don't Let Nobody (But Me)"



This is the first single and first track on Mr. Mayfield's 1982 album, Love is the Place.



"Baby It's You"



"Baby It's You" was the only single from Curtis Mayfield's 1985 album, We Come in Peace with a Message of Love.



"New World Order"



Curtis Mayfield's last studio album, New World Order, was released in January of 1997. In 1990, Mr. Mayfield had become paralyzed from the neck down after stage lighting equipment fell on him at an outdoor concert. He had to record the songs for this album lying on his back--singing the songs one line at a time. Above is the title track and first single from the album.



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Curtis Mayfield discography


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Thank you for your artistry and genius, Mr. Mayfield.



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