14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
We're a Winner, December 25, 2003
This review is from: People Get Ready: Curtis Mayfield Story (Audio CD)
When I hear the music of Curtis Mayfield in this three-disc box set (51 songs), especially the early stuff, I feel really uplifted. The first 13 songs alone-all gems-are worth the price. To my knowledge, they are not available together on any other recording.
In thinking about the contribution he's made to music, it occurred to me that Curtis had all of the rare qualities that made the Beatles so great. He was: (1) a fabulous songwriter; (2) a stone soul singer; (3) a crack musician; (4) a music pioneer; and, (5) politically conscious. Indeed, born in '42, he was a contemporary of the Beatles and was perhaps ahead of them in many ways. While the Beatles were singing, to teenaged girls, "I Want to Hold Your Hand," (early '64), Curtis was telling a woman "I'm So Proud of Being...Loved by You."
His music had a maturity and political consciousness ahead of its time. By 1965, for example, he had penned "Woman's Got Soul"
"She may not be the best-lookin' woman, I ever did see,
or have the charms of the ladies of high society.
But the woman's got soul,
worth all the...gold"
As large corporations increasingly dominate our politics, media, and culture, Curtis's words from 1968 are still right on the money:
"Some people think, we don't have the right,
to say, "It's my country'.
Before they give in,
they'd rather fuss and fight,
than say, `It's my country'".
I guess what I like the most about Curtis Mayfield is the honesty of his songs and the pure, sweet expression of his voice. He could really do a heartbreak song, as shown in
"I Loved and I Lost...and I might as well confess"
Probably my favorite song of all is the single "The Makings of You," which, apparently (incredibly), did not chart in 1970.
"Add a little sugar,
Honeysuckle Lamb,
a great big expression of happiness...
The joy of children laughing around you,
these are the makings of you."
Actually, it doesn't matter what he's singing on this song. The purity and soulfulness of his voice is apt to bring a tear. And the music is so pretty; it could be on the soundtrack to a movie.
Many people enjoy the "Superfly" era of Curtis Mayfield (roughly 1970-73)-with it's funk-like rhythms and orchestration on songs such as "Move on Up" "Freddie's Dead" "Get Down" and "Pusherman". In fact, that's the music most people probably think of when they hear his name. That period is well represented in this set, mostly on disc two. My favorites are "We Got to Have Peace," "If I Were Only a Child Again" and 1975's "So in Love."
There are three live songs at the end of disc one, "Check Out Your Mind," "Mighty Mighty (Spade and Whitey)", and "Stone Junkie" which shows a different side of Curtis-as the leader of a band that could funk and groove, and connect with a live audience.
On disc three ('76-`90), Curtis exhibits a more laid-back approach, including a return to love songs such as "Between You Baby and Me" (with Linda Clifford), "Love Me, Love Me Now" and "Tripping Out". He never lost his social conscious, however, as represented in the songs "Mr. Welfare Man" and "Homeless"
I enjoy discs two and three but, overall, I'm partial to the stuff did with the Impressions (12 songs), and his earliest solo stuff (on disc one). This disc, by itself, is worth every dime you pay for the set.
This box set includes a well-written booklet about Curtis's music career, with many great photos.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
People - Get Ready For The Great Curtis Mayfield, December 29, 2005
This review is from: People Get Ready: Curtis Mayfield Story (Audio CD)
This 3-CD anthology is a fitting and thorough tribute to an often overlooked master. Curtis Mayfield was a complete package. His pure and fragile falsetto put The Impressions on the map. His songwriting ability was striking, especially his socially aware and brutally honest lyrics. His guitar playing was always fresh and very influential. Any one of those would have been enough to build a career.
But the real magic of Curtis Mayfield was the man himself, his vulnerability, his soul, his sincerity. In a cynical age such as ours, the depth of feeling required to write a song like My Country is almost unknown. And a song like I'm So Proud Of You, well, if that doesn't melt your heart, you ain't got one. The big hits from Superfly are here, because they have to be. They're good, especially Pusherman. But this compilation lets you stretch out and get a full appreciation of Mayfield, as generous and brave as any artist I've ever experienced.
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