Mighty Mighty (Spade & Whitey)/I Plan To Stay A Believer/We're A Winner/We've Only Just Begun/People Get Ready/Stare & Stare/Check Out Your Mind/Gypsy Woman/The Makings Of You/We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue/(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Blow We're All Going To Go/Stone Junkie
The former Impressions leader Curtis Mayfield’s first live album recorded at the Bitter End club in New York. Many of his songs focused on the need for political and social change. (US:21)
“The best part of this album is that it proves how talented Curtis Mayfield actually is. This is the stripped down version: no dense, lush production; no string sections; just bass, drums, guitars, percussion and vocals. You wouldn't necessarily think that this would work as well as it does, but it makes for a highly enjoyable listen. There's an intimacy to this small club show which is sometimes missing from Mayfield's more grand productions. In this context his vocals sound more fragile and vulnerable, but also a lot more earnest and honest.”
“Curtis/Live gets across everything a live album should, but rarely does. For starters, Curtis had the savvy to assemble a batch of musicians who knew how to set up a vibe and dig their heels into it. The members of the band are supernaturally in tune with each other, letting the songs expand and contract with an unhurried precision that intuitively follows Curtis’ restrained, yet highly emotional delivery.” “Curtis taped live in an intimate club setting, with a small, stripped down band just stretching out and enjoying playing for the sake of playing. His voice is a pleasure throughout the set.”
“What really makes Curtis/Live! worth owning is how well it comes off as a live album. The recording is crystal clear, from every drum and guitar to Mayfield's vocals. In addition, there's just enough audience noise to give you the live feel without it becoming overwhelming.”
“The plus side of this live album is that you don't get all the sappy string arrangements that mar much of Mayfield's studio work. The down side is that the arrangements here are so very sparse at times that it feels as if things are going to grind to a halt at times. Still in all, a fairly nice set.”
“The music quality on here is pure genius. Mayfield covers a variety of topics, certainly never shying away from the current state of politics during this time.”
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