Search - Curtis Mayfield :: Curtis (Dlx)

Pure Poetry

M. Jones | 10/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Simply said, Curtis Mayfield is the most underrated & underappreciated artist of the 20th century period! I was looking at Rolling Stones list of the "100 Greatest Artist of All Time" list recently and it has Curtis listed at #99!



Now, that's a ridiculous placement anyway you look at it, but, if you read it and see who they've got ahead of him, it's down right criminal!!!! Now, i'm fully aware of the ridiculous bias of Rolling Stone Magazine towards the beatles, elvis, etc.., but to place this man in the 99th position out of 100 is insane!!



He was one of the truest poets to ever pick up the pen and his songs are true reflections of the man, where he & the world were at that moment & where he hoped they both we would be in the end. He struck a cord with the youth of the day and like Maurice White, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder & Bob Dylan, spoke of the injustices and bigotry of that day in a clear and concise manner that was unavoidable while offering hope through mutual love & respect.



"Curtis" is his 1st solo release after having already established his Genius in the Impressions. It is one of the most moving albums i've ever heard and every bit as good as the albums of that day and shows this man was every bit the writer as the above mentioned Avatars of Music history.



Classics such as "If there's a Hell Below, We're all Gonna Go", "Making of You" "Miss Black America" & my personal favorite "We People Who Are Darker Than Blue" shows this was a man who "Dug Deep" within to bring forth such pure mastery of music composition.



I highly recommend this album to anyone as it was one of those classics that would forever change the face of music and began a incredible decade for one of the most incredible artist of any kind in the 20th century. Rest In Peace my brother Curtis, you've earned your crown!"

A LASTING "IMPRESSION"

Salayo Brown | LINCOLN, NE. USA | 05/23/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"GREAT SOUL LEGENDS LIKE CURTIS MAYFIELD NEVER REALLY DIE. HIS LYRICS HIT HOME EVEN TO THIS DAY. THIS ALBUM WAS RELEASED IN THE FALL OF 1970(THE YEAR I WAS BORN), AND I THINK THIS ALBUM SET THE TONE FOR CURTIS' FOLLOWING ALBUMS. THERE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ANY DOUBT THIS ALBUM WOULD NOT SUCCEED JUDGING BY THE GREAT SUCCESS CURTIS ENJOYED WITH THE IMPRESSIONS. I LOVE THE WHOLE CD(THE PRICE WAS A STEAL GIVING THAT IT HAS 9 BONUS TRACKS), BUT MY FAVORITE SONGS ON HERE ARE OF COURSE (DON'T WORRY) IF THERE'S A HELL BELOW, WE'RE ALL GOING TO GO AND THE INSTRUMENTAL VERSION ON THE BONUS TRACKS, WILD AND FREE, MISS BLACK AMERICA(A SALUTE TO THE TRUE DAUGHTER OF ZION, THE BLACK WOMAN, A BEAUTIFUL SONG FOR BEAUTIFUL WOMEN),AND MOVE ON UP(THE TEMPO IS AT BREAK-NECK SPEED AND YOU CAN'T HELP BUT MOVE ON UP FROM YOUR SEAT AND DANCE). THE REASON I ENTITLED THIS REVIEW "A LASTING IMPRESSION" IS BECAUSE IT ALL STARTED FOR CURTIS WHEN HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE IMPRESSIONS AND THIS CD LIKE ANOTHER REVIEWER SAID WILL FOREVER HAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON ME. THEY SAY YOU DON'T GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION. "CURTIS" TO ME IS THE FIRST AND THE LAST. PEACE."