Hard times (Curtis Mayfield) (LP 875 - 877)

Curtis Mayfield  There's No Place Like America Today (CD, Charly, 1975) ****  

Curtis Mayfield  Live In Europe (CD, Charly, 1988) *****  

Curtis Mayfield  People Get Ready (Live at Ronnie Scott's London) (CD, Castle, 1990) ****  

Genre: Soul

Places I remember: Virgin Megastore (Dubai), HMV Croydon, and Lindsay Hope's collection - in that order.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Hard Times

Gear costume: Freddie's Dead

Active compensatory factors: I'm a late comer to Curtis Mayfield but I've caught up with his work in The Impressions and his solo work thanks to some compilations, and these three CDs.

There's No Place Like America Today is a studio album from 1975. Curtis' social justice stance is obvious from the cover onwards. Jesus is a remarkable song. The horn charts are exemplary.

I must confess the falsetto voice takes a bit to get used to. I'm not a fan generally - whether it be Prince, Mick Jagger or whoever. It fits for Curtis Mayfield though.

I do tend to visit the live albums more as they create a great atmosphere, include all his greatest songs, plus Curtis and band are in great form. His sincerity and compassion are fully on display on both sets. He was quite a live draw!

Where do they all belong? I'd suggest starting with the live albums, then the compilations, then the studio albums. But that's me.