In our first edition of Rhythm Revue Spotlight, a new series for wbgo.org, we look at the life and legacy of the legendary guitarist, vocalist and composer Curtis Mayfield. I also present some recommendations for essential listening tracks, as well as a deep cut. And I highlight some songs by other artists, all of which were written and composed by Mayfield. I hope you enjoy it.
Listen above (or read below)
Recommended Essential Listening
“Gypsy Woman” by The Impressions (The group’s first hit with Mayfield as writer and lead singer)
“People Get Ready” by The Impressions
“We're a Winner” by The Impressions
“Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield
Superfly (soundtrack album) by Curtis Mayfield
Deep Cut
“You’re So Good to Me” by Curtis Mayfield (generously sampled for “Be Happy” by Mary J. Blige)
Songs produced & written by Curtis
“I’m a-Telling You” by Jerry Butler
“Rainbow” by Gene Chandler
“Um Um Um Um Um" by Major Lance
“Give Me Your Love” by Barbara Mason
“On and On” by Gladys Knight & the Pips
“Something He Can Feel” by Aretha Franklin
Transcript:
Curtis Mayfield's musical career began when he and four other Chicago teenagers formed a vocal group in the mid-fifties. Jerry Butler, the lead singer, wrote the original group's only hit, and what a hit it was. “For You Precious Love” by The Impressions became one of the most enduring love ballads of the 1950s.
Jerry Butler left the group to go solo. He remained friends with Curtis who would produce and write many of Jerry's early hits. Curtis continued with The Impressions, writing almost all of the group’s many hit songs throughout the 1960s. Curtis himself went solo by 1970. He built a repertoire of songs and film soundtracks that helped define the R&B sound of the 1970s.
Curtis Mayfield, as far back as 1963, was writing R&B songs about racial justice and liberation, long before most others. “Keep on Pushing,” “It's All Right,” “We're a Winner” and “People Get Ready” are just a few of the many songs that got extensive radio play for The Impressions, especially on R&B formatted stations.
“People get ready. There's a train a coming.”
The train takes you back to the old gospel way of thinking, the teachings of different religions—Black religions as well as white ones. The train is somewhat of a symbol of God himself coming to take on and bring on all the people who have somewhat gotten themselves together and may possibly be able to venture over to the other side of the world, the new world, or heaven.
“There's a train a coming. You don't need no baggage, you just get on board.”
In the seventies, the solo Curtis would score a number of films, most famously Superfly. Throughout his long career, he wrote and produced for many other artists as well, including Gene Chandler, Major Lance, The Fascinations, Gladys Knight. Barbara Mason, The Five Stair Steps, Walter Jackson and Aretha Franklin.
Curtis Mayfield's soaring talent and genius can't be overlooked. His influence continues to be felt in the music of our own time.
