Customer Reviews

Fabulous Impressions/We're a Winner

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even though this is probably the weakest of the discs in this series of four, it is still rather good. I am a huge fan of abc-era Impressions records, but I have to say, I had only heard three of the tracks from these two albums prior to having purchased this. There are a couple of tracks here that have been haunting me like the devil for the last few days, and I think everyone should hear them...they are "Isle of the Sirens" which recaptures some of that eerie storytelling Mr. Mayfield had abandoned after that first album...it has a ghostly production and lyrics that put me in mind of all those great prewar roots recordings. Simply amazing. "Let Me Tell the World" is a great ballad worthy of any Impressions best-of collection...I cannot believe I haven't heard it til now. The only bum tracks are the ill-chosen covers here of "100 Lbs. of Clay" and "Up Up and Away", otherwise, this is flawless. Get yours today.

MY LAST TWO CD PURCHASES HAS BEEN THIS 2 FR AND "THIS IS MY COUNTRY"/"THE YOUNG MOD'S FORGOTTEN STORY" BY THE IMPRESSIONS. I'M FINDING MYSELF TRULY INTERESTED IN THEIR WORK AND I PLAN ON GETTING ALL OF THEIR ALBUMS TO ADD TO MY CD COLLECTION. THE IMPRESSIONS WERE WINNERS AND THEY WERE FABULOUS. MY FAVORITE SONGS ON HERE ARE "YOU ALWAYS HURT ME", "IT'S ALL OVER", "YOU OUGHT TO BE IN HEAVEN", "I LOVED AND I LOST"(MY FAVORITE SONG BY THEM, EVER),"I CAN'T STAY AWAY FROM YOU", "WE'RE A WINNER", "LITTLE BROWN BOY", "ROMANCING TO THE FOLK SONG", "NO ONE TO LOVE" AND "I'M STILL WAITIN'". THAT'S ALMOST HALF OF THE CD. THE REST OF THE SONGS ARE PRETTY GOOD, BUT THEY PALE IN COMPARISON TO THE STANDOUTS. NEVERTHELESS, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS.

I really loved these to albums as you the band was focused, matured and a well oiled machine at this point. Curtis' writing & singing were always spectacular, but you start hearing Sam & Fred take more of a lead in the vocals on these 2 and it was almost like you could feel Curtis beginning to "pull" back so to speak as he was just a couple of years away from striking out on his own.

The songs here are crisp and were some of the songs that I remember reading that heavily influenced Bob Marley and the Wailers. Off of Fabulous Impressions, pay particular attention to "You Always Hurt Me", "Love's A Comin" "You Ought to Be In Heaven" "Aware of Love" & the haunting "Isle of The Sirens". Curtis deals with relationships & love in a variety of different ways as only he can.

We're A Winner is loaded from the word go and was one of the most anticpated albums of 1968. The title track is an all time classic that rang around the world for those who were oppressed and in dire straits. "Moonlight Shadows" "I'm Getting Ready" "Nothing Can Stop Me" and one of my personal favorites, "Little Brown Boy" are powerful songs and shows Curtis' versatility as a songwriter. "Up UP And Away" is a remake of an older hit and is absolutely fabulous as it shows the incredible vocal range and harmonies the band had.

I highly recommend both albums to anyone looking to complete or update their collecion of this wonderful group who in my opinion was the best the 60's had to offer.

I love Curtis Mayfield and the impressions but
these two cds are ok as a whole but I don't consider
them to be their best. I purchased this cd 2fr for
one cut. 'Moon light shadows', in my openion their
best track from the mid 60s. That track was not
pulled for a single release though.