Product Details

• Actors: Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (DTS 5.1)
• Subtitles: German, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Hip-O Records
• DVD Release Date: May 6, 2008
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0014JKL6Y
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,618 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #94 in Music > R&B > Funk > General
• For more information about "The Music and Message of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

MOVIN' ON UP:MUSIC AND MESSAGE OF CUR - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise collection of classics from Curtis & Company, May 8, 2008

By 

Andre M. "brnn64" (Mt. Pleasant, SC United States) - See all my reviews

For lovers of classic Soul music and Crutis Mayfield and the Impressions in particular, this DVD will make you dance in the streets!

Reelin' in the Years, unlike many producers of music documentaries, actually "get it" and know that fans who care enough about an artist to buy such DVD's want to the see COMPLETE songs, and this DVD delivers in that fashion as did their previous excellent Otis Redding set.

This DVD mixes rare interview footage of the underrated King of message-oriented Soul Music with recent interviews with his widow and his fellow Impressions Sam Gooden and Fred Cash (Jerry Butler is mnetioned, but does not appear). The surviving Impresssions have aged well and they share some interesting anecdotes. One in particular involves producer Johnny Pate (who also appears) talking the guys out of recording the original lyrics to the Curtis classic "We're a Winner" (the finished song was banned by some pop stations in 1967 for supposedly being inflammatory) and Joey Bishop having to intervene to allow the guys to sing "Choice fo Colors" on his show in 1968. These songs lyrics are deep, but any controversy will escape those under 45 who are used to more strident stuff.

The vintage videos are indeed interesting. At a time when James Brown and Jackie Wilson's histrionics and manic gymnastics on the stage brought the houses down, Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions were not big on choreography, but the lyrical content of the songs were such that audiences would actually sit quietly and listen to what they had to say before applauding (as is seen in the "We're a Winner" clip from about 1967). In "This is My Country," soon-to-be star Clifton Davis begins the tune with a powerful poem celebrating the relevance of CM&TI's lyrics in articulating the concerns of Black America (note Fred Cash trying to cover his coughing during Davis' poem). Too bad this doesn't (yet) appear on any record.

The sets involving the songs from 'Superfly" (post Impressions) are interesting to compare with his previous work. During "Freddie's Dead," Curtis's band smokes (the conga player in particular), although fans of the original may miss the horns and strings that define the tune. Haters of Blaxploitation films and the effect they had on Black youth of the day (the Gangster rap/minstrel shows of the 70s) will be pleased to learn that Curtis also hated the film and wrote the music to show the true tragedy of the drug lifestyle that "Stupidfly" celebrated.

In either case, it's a history lesson with a beat that you can dance to. Buy it, learn, and enjoy.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Impressions which Stand the Test of Time, March 19, 2008

By 

Crescenzo C. Capece "d'caborojo" (NYNJPR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions didn't just make music, they sent
great sounding and universally useful social messages and it's no exaggeration to say their records were the true heart and soul of many a disc collection. (Just mention the name Curtis Mayfield and a deep warm feeling arises in nearly anyone who has ever heard and been moved by he and they.)
This splendid DVD overview of Curtis, Fred and Sam was long overdue. In addition to welcome video footage including Germany's legendary Beat Club,the Joey Bishop show, "In Concert", some corny Dick Clark staging and much more we get to witness Mayfield's impact be given a proper and fitting perspective from those who were there.
Hearing the Curtis story from the mouths of his wonderful wife Altheida, surviving Impressions Fred Cash and Sam Gooden, Andrew Young, producer Johnny Pate and musicians Carlos Santana and a revealingly impressive Chuck D we learn of ths history, impact, and driving force behind the sound on both the personal and macro levels. And as many of us have always known,that driving force was Curtis's deep love for not just music but for humanity,which,through composition he aimed to bring together.
Bravo to the director, producers and interviewer for this labor of love and gift to fans and will be fans. The gospel of Curtis and company is one that,even now, could benefit our world.Plus his music had a beat..and you could dance to it-even when you danced,as sometimes evidenced here, horribly!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Impressions- Par Excellence, May 17, 2008

By 

Ray Lee Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Music and Message of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions (DVD)

I recently bought the DVD documentary on Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions.This is my favorite soul group of all time.In the 60's I think that they were underrated because their music bordered on spiritual;it was very romantic at times;the group did not dance;and they were a trio,unlike many groups which were quartets or larger.When we were about 12 years old a friend and I snuck back stage at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina with one of those huge picture books that you could buy at the door.We had a little bit of luck and found Curtis Mayfield chatting with Jackie Wilson.We got their autographs and shook hands with Fred Cash,Sam Gooden, and the Brooks Brothers.What a night that was!Curtis and Jackie were very appreciative of our audacity, and gracious.I will never forget that experience.

This DVD is the greatest that I have seen which captures the prime,essence, and appeal of the Impressions.Their harmonies are dynamic.The sound is wonderful and Johnny Pate's arrangements are still stirring and make you move.A big plus is to see the impact that the Impressions had on the Civil Rights movement,which is reflected in a series of interviews with Andrew Young.
There are over 20 performances;lots of background interviews with Curtis'charming and lovely wife,Altheida, Santana, and with Johnny Pate,the gifted and long time arranger for the Impressions and later for Curtis when he went solo.It would be nice to see all of Curtis' children and perhaps hear from them.I have no complaints about this DVD.I
hope they make another one so I can see "Gypsy Woman"and a number of other hits that are missing,performed.There are several versions of Gypsy Woman on UTube,but no Impressions.I would also like to hear or see Jerry Butler perform the early songs written by Mayfield and an inclusion of Curtis Mayfield's music from movie scores other than Superfly, such as Claudine,Sparkle,Uptown Saturday Night,and Get on the Bus for Spike Lee after Mayfield's terrible incapacitating accident.Many people may not
appreciate what a prolific writer Curtis Mayfield was.A great talent!!!!