Curtis Mayfield, The Impressions - The Anthology 1961-1977

The last few years has seen an increased appreciation and examination of the legacy of Curtis Mayfield. This 1992 collection highlights Mayfield's years with the Impressions, (both on ABC and Mayfield's own Curtom label), the vocal group that also included Jerry Butler. Among the timeless hits included are "Gypsy Woman," "It's All Right," and "We're a Winner" In addition, there are selections from Mayfield's solo career, most notably several cuts from Superfly. While this 2 CD set is not as exhaustive as the 3 CD Rhino collection of 1997, it is worth owning , as is anything associated with Mayfield . --Amy Linden Amazon.com

Impressions of R&B Royalty

Curtis Mayfield was perhaps one of the most underappreciated artists of the 1960's, and The Anthology: 1961-77 illustrates all that there was to admire about this musical visionary. Disc 1 begins with the doowop-influenced tracks "Gypsy Woman" and "Never Let Me Go." The Impressions' harmonies are flawless, and unlike many "lead" singers, Mr. Mayfield appeared happy to share the vocal spotlight with other members of his group, which included Jerry Butler. . "It's All Right" was one of the group's biggest hits, but by far, not the only one.

The beautiful ballad, "I'm So Proud", marks a turning point for the group, a maturing of musical content and musical arrangement. Social consciousness makes its first appearance in this two-disc set with "Keep On Pushing," where Curtis Mayfield showcases his ability to refer to hard times and still sound hopeful and uplifting rather than bitter, a talent revisited in "People Get Ready", "We're a Winner", "This Is My Country", and "Choice of Colors."

Disc 2 picks up with "Fool For You," a 1968 hit from the album "This Is My Country." The second disc is primarily dedicated to Curtis Mayfield's solo work, which is darker, more gritty, and less hopeful than his earlier music with the Impressions, but maybe this is more reflective of the times (1970's America) than anything else.

My only complaint about this anthology is that it's lacking a third disc. Most notably missing are The Impressions' gorgeous late-60's ballads. Even so, the music that is contained within this set is masterful, moving, a realistic portrait of a generation set to music, and a fitting tribute to true R&B royalty. November 14, 2008

Still Good and relevant to today!

The messages in many of the songs are still relevant today. For young people who are seeking a song(s)with honest and down-to-earth meaning (plus great grooves), this is the collection for you!
You "Old Schoolers" will enjoy it too. June 9, 2008

Disc 1 Timeless soul music Disc II Super Fly Sound Track

Curtis Mayfield is one of a kind. He makes great lyrical love songs, as well as some of the most politically & culturally aware songs of his era. I prefer the first disc of this anthology to the 2nd, because it's more spiritual. The 2nd disc is made up of most of the Super Fly sound track, its not bad but I've heard most of it countless times. However " The makings of you" is top notch.

My favorite songs on the 26 song side one is (1)[Gypsy Woman], (7)[Sad Sad Girl & Boy] simply a sad love song, (8)[It's all right] One of the more uplifting songs on this CD "You've got soul and it's alright" "and everybody know it's alright", (10) [I'm so proud] A very touching love song "I'm so proud to be loved by you". A real deep song. (11) [Keep on pushing] Is the most inspirational song on the 1st disc "I know I can make it with a little bit of soul." Very moving song. (16) [People get ready] This is an old time spiritual song (Gospel like) "You don't need no ticket just thank the Lord". (22) [Man oh man] Is a tribute to exotic locals (Spain) & (France) and the beauty of a woman "I want to go back to the sweetness of time". (24) [We're a winner] My favorite upbeat song on the whole 2 discs "Don't let no one say you can't make it, beacause a feeble mind is in your way" "Don't mind leaving here to show the world we have no fear, beacause we're a winner."

I was supposed to attend the free concert, the day of the tragic event that left him unable to walk, a real sad day indeed. His unique style I suppose will never be duplicated (I think D'angelo tried) and it will be sorely missed. I hope he now, walks with the angels (R.I.P) Curtis Mayfield. June 7, 2008

where is sparkle?

I just don't understand how the hightlights of Curtis carriere are selected. Somehow his best albums (never say you can't survive) are confused with his most popular albums (superfly) or which fitted his image best (live). This is reflected in this set. Ofcourse this set will give you a good overview, but still it is missing his most tender songs like "sparkle". So remember if you like this set, there are more gems of Curtis out there! Check out his album "never say you can't survive" for sure. April 26, 2008

More Than A Bit Frustrating For The Completist Collector

When I purchased this compilation, my "want list" included six Top 40 hits by The Impressions and, according to the list of contents on the reverse, all six were included.

Only when I got home, opened it, and read the liner notes did I realize that I STILL have to obtain three of those hits: Amen [Disc 1 -track 14 - "is the extended version from ABC-Paramount LP 493 Keep On Pushing"; Woman's Got Soul - Disc 1 - track 18 "is remix for ABC-Paramount LP 505"; I Loved And I Lost - Disc 1 - track 25 is an "extended version from ABC LP 654 "The Best Of The Impressions."

The same applies to Curtis Mayfield's solo hits. Track 6 on Disc 2 is an "extended version from Curtom LP 8005"; and Track 12 is "an extended version from Curtom LP 5001 "There's No Place Like America Today [I already had the single version thankfully].

It would have been nice had they indicated this on the reverse package in some fashion. To fail to do so amounts to misleading advertising. Hence my deduction of 2 stars.

However, if you are not as picky as me when it comes to such things, this is indeed a fine set covering the highlights of one of the most identifiable group sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, as well as some of the best solo efforts of one of the most prolific writer of hits in the history of pop/soul music [Gene Chandler, Major Lance were just two who benefited from his genius].

Details of their careers are contained in eight pages of liner notes by Robert Pruter, R&B Editor of Goldmine and the author of Chicago Soul, and the contents in the liner notes show label information but not chart performances. There are also several nice shots of the group and Curtis alone, including a spread in the centre showing them on-stage in the late 1960s with Patti LaBell & The Blue Belles.

After their first two hits for the Abner label way back in 1958 when Jerry Butler was part of the group [For Your Precious Love (# 3 R&B/# 11 Billboard Pop Top 100) and Come Back My Love (# 29 R&B), they went on to post 43 more hits for ABC-Paramount and Curtom to 1976, had three more for Cotillion in 1976/77, one for Chi-Sound in 1981 [a remake of For Your Precious Love] and, in 1987, their last charter, Can't Wait 'Til Tomorrow for MCA.

Curtis, meanwhile, chalked up 32 on his own from 1970 to 1997, including a couple of duets with Linda Clifford, for Curtom [19], RSO/Curtom [6], Boardwalk [3], CRC [1] and Warner [3].

There were, of course, personnel changes over the years where The Impressions were concerned, but only some of these are explained in the liner notes. For example, they don't mention that when Curtis left, original members Sam Gooden and Fred Cash brought in Leroy Hutson as their new lead, and when HE left to go solo [turning out 12 hits of his own for Curtom], they latched onto Reggie Torian and Ralph Johnson. It was as a quartet that they recorded the Three The Hard Way soundtrack and, by 1974, hit the # 1 R&B spot for the first time since 1969 with Finally Got Myself Together, written and produced by Ed Townsend.

A marvelous group and one of the leading lights in popular music from that era all rolled up into a nice 40-selection package. Just be aware if you are looking for the singles versions of those mentioned above. August 31, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...