Probably my favorite moment on that album, which I agree is one of the best live albums, by any artist ever. It's a shame that Curtis isn't celebrated more, because his voice always soothes me when life gets heavy, like a giant hand on my back nudging me to go on and push forward. A rare man, indeed and a great reminder.
I’ve always contended that the only reason Curtis isn’t thought of in the same breath as, say, Marvin or Stevie, is that he created unashamedly for a primarily black audience. His songs didn’t “cross over” as much. I always admired him, despite being a suburban white guy. I didn’t know that live album and it’s terrific. Thanks!
I have no answers for what happened in our country on Tuesday. I will let others speculate on that. I also can't sit on the news or doomscroll because that isn't healthy for my sanity. What I do know is that our world became a lot more confusing when I woke up on Wednesday than it already was. And, in times of confusion and needing a distraction from life, music, and art have always been my place of solace.
There are precious few who do it as well as Curtis. Thank you, Mr. Mayfield.
I’m glad that Curtis helped you find some peace with the election shitshow.
It’s made me think of all the bullshit we’ve heard about America being the first great “experiment in democracy”. (Ancient Greeks might disagree).
But I find that idea exceptionalist and grandiose. What helps me is thinking of Earth as an experiment
in human intelligence (or stupidity—take your choice). And perfectly named, Artificial Intelligence is not likely to save us.
And Earth may not be the only such experiment. Isn’t that exceptionalist a premise as well?
No, at 86, though it’s arguably less politically activist and more existentially pessimistic, I take comfort picturing myself with Otis Redding just “sittin’ on the dock of the bay, watching the tide roll away” but still not wastin’ time in trying to do some good. 🤷🏽💐❤️
He inspires everyone who listens to him. Even though he has been dead since 1999, I hear in him someone who knows that the more things change, the more they stay the same, and that what happens now is the expected result of what happened yesterday. So many of his songs ("This Is My Country", "Choice of Colors", "Stone Junkie", and even in the titles of non-political tunes like "Can't Say Nothin'" and "Suffer") could have been written only recently. He is definitely one of the enduring giants of 60s and 70s soul music.
Thank you. The empathy, love, wisdom and spiritual commitment to the uplifting of humanity that Curtis brought to the table shouldn't just be considered the domain of "lefties"; so if you respond to those elements in his music, good on you. As Curtis also sang, "If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go".
I was a volunteer poll watcher for the Democratic Party on Tuesday. Some organization sent a DJ to my voting site and he set up in an appropriate space and started playing a mix of classic soul, Motown, and dad rock. At one point he was playing “Superfly” and as he was, I went over and asked if he could play “Everyday People” from Sly and the Family Stone because I love that song and it so fit the mood where everyone was smiling and laughing and standing in line tapping their toes. Damn I wish the night would’ve lived up to that moment at the polling site.
Thank you Dan. I struggled last week to write anything new that made sense. And I did not get to see your FB post as, due to an over-preponderance of some of the types you mentioned, I wrote my own similar post to yours (shorter though!) and got off there for a while. So it is good to be on Substack and have time to bookmark good people's good writing and come read it when ready. The gist of my own recovery screed was that there is great beauty to be found in this world, even in times of great ugliness. Curtis Mayfield was able to address the latter by presenting it as the former. And for all that my old bones still love rattling about to good some old righteous musical anger here and there, there are times (like now) when it is best to take the sour tasting sweet, reminding us of the beauty. Thanks for articulating so much here so well.
Well said, good sir.
Beautiful piece, brother. Thank you 🙏
Probably my favorite moment on that album, which I agree is one of the best live albums, by any artist ever. It's a shame that Curtis isn't celebrated more, because his voice always soothes me when life gets heavy, like a giant hand on my back nudging me to go on and push forward. A rare man, indeed and a great reminder.
I’ve always contended that the only reason Curtis isn’t thought of in the same breath as, say, Marvin or Stevie, is that he created unashamedly for a primarily black audience. His songs didn’t “cross over” as much. I always admired him, despite being a suburban white guy. I didn’t know that live album and it’s terrific. Thanks!
And apparently both Apple Music (which I use) and Spotify use the wrong version of “We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue” on that album. Weird.
Yeah, very odd!
I have no answers for what happened in our country on Tuesday. I will let others speculate on that. I also can't sit on the news or doomscroll because that isn't healthy for my sanity. What I do know is that our world became a lot more confusing when I woke up on Wednesday than it already was. And, in times of confusion and needing a distraction from life, music, and art have always been my place of solace.
There are precious few who do it as well as Curtis. Thank you, Mr. Mayfield.
Yo Dan
I’m glad that Curtis helped you find some peace with the election shitshow.
It’s made me think of all the bullshit we’ve heard about America being the first great “experiment in democracy”. (Ancient Greeks might disagree).
But I find that idea exceptionalist and grandiose. What helps me is thinking of Earth as an experiment
in human intelligence (or stupidity—take your choice). And perfectly named, Artificial Intelligence is not likely to save us.
And Earth may not be the only such experiment. Isn’t that exceptionalist a premise as well?
No, at 86, though it’s arguably less politically activist and more existentially pessimistic, I take comfort picturing myself with Otis Redding just “sittin’ on the dock of the bay, watching the tide roll away” but still not wastin’ time in trying to do some good. 🤷🏽💐❤️
AbSOULutley
Right On Dan!
https://youtu.be/gS30b5gTD6A?si=-rJm-1a6el8GQ6Ai
He inspires everyone who listens to him. Even though he has been dead since 1999, I hear in him someone who knows that the more things change, the more they stay the same, and that what happens now is the expected result of what happened yesterday. So many of his songs ("This Is My Country", "Choice of Colors", "Stone Junkie", and even in the titles of non-political tunes like "Can't Say Nothin'" and "Suffer") could have been written only recently. He is definitely one of the enduring giants of 60s and 70s soul music.
Good stuff, Dan
Nice job on this consolatory reckoning with a perfect Curtis pivot.
Thank you for this. Time to roll up those sleeves.
Hey Dan, not all of your readers are lefties; Conservatives like Curtis Mayfield too. Hang in there anyway.
Thank you. The empathy, love, wisdom and spiritual commitment to the uplifting of humanity that Curtis brought to the table shouldn't just be considered the domain of "lefties"; so if you respond to those elements in his music, good on you. As Curtis also sang, "If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go".
I was a volunteer poll watcher for the Democratic Party on Tuesday. Some organization sent a DJ to my voting site and he set up in an appropriate space and started playing a mix of classic soul, Motown, and dad rock. At one point he was playing “Superfly” and as he was, I went over and asked if he could play “Everyday People” from Sly and the Family Stone because I love that song and it so fit the mood where everyone was smiling and laughing and standing in line tapping their toes. Damn I wish the night would’ve lived up to that moment at the polling site.
Regardless of outcome, that’s a moment to treasure.
I found this album at my local record store and bought it and listened to it tonight. Still sounds relevant. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Very cool — always happy to spread the Curtis love!
This is the best thing I’ve read post election. Thanks Dan.
Right on, Brian - thank you!
Thank you Dan. I struggled last week to write anything new that made sense. And I did not get to see your FB post as, due to an over-preponderance of some of the types you mentioned, I wrote my own similar post to yours (shorter though!) and got off there for a while. So it is good to be on Substack and have time to bookmark good people's good writing and come read it when ready. The gist of my own recovery screed was that there is great beauty to be found in this world, even in times of great ugliness. Curtis Mayfield was able to address the latter by presenting it as the former. And for all that my old bones still love rattling about to good some old righteous musical anger here and there, there are times (like now) when it is best to take the sour tasting sweet, reminding us of the beauty. Thanks for articulating so much here so well.