He first achieved success and recognition with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the late 1950s and 1960s, and later worked as a solo artist.Never Say You Can't Survive was the last Curtis Mayfield album done in a pure soul vein for the next three years -- its style and sound place it in a direct continuity with the rest of his output right back to 1958. The singing on love songs such as "Show Me Love," "Just Want to Be With You," and "When We're Alone" is among the most achingly lyrical and passionate of his career. The title track boasts ravishing backup singing by Kitty & the Haywoods (who also perform outstandingly on "I'm Gonna Win Your Love") and a beautiful arrangement by James Mack. The album's final track, "Sparkle" (written for Sam O'Steen's movie of the same name, starring Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, and Lonette McKee), gets one of three distinct treatments that the song ever received (the others from the soundtrack and Aretha Franklin's version).
Track listing
01. "Show Me Love" - 5:16
02. "Just Want to Be with You" - 3:14
03. "When We're Alone" - 5:27
04. "Never Say You Can't Survive" - 3:22
05. "I'm Gonna Win Your Love" - 4:43
06. "All Night Long" - 4:15
07. "When You Used to Be Mine" - 3:41
08. "Sparkle" - 4:02
All songs written and composed by Curtis Mayfield.
Credits
Lead Guitar – Curtis Mayfield
Backing Vocals – Kitty And The Haywoods
Bass – Joseph Scott
Bongos, Congas – Henry Gibson
Rhythm Guitar – Gary Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Cliff Davis, Sonny Seals
Drums – Donnell Hagan
Keyboards – Floyd Morris, Rich Tufo
Contractor [Horns Contractor] – Lenard Druss
Contractor [Strings Contractor] – Sol Bobrov
Design – Brian Hagiwara
Engineer – Fred Breitberg, Roger Anfinsen
Arranged By – James Mack, Rich Tufo
Art Direction – AGI, Jim Ladwig, Jim Ladwig
Photography By – Hauser And D'Orio
Producer - Curtis Mayfield
Notes
Released: 1977
Recorded at: Curtom Studio, Chicago, Ill
Genre: Funk, soul
Length: 33:45
© 1977
Label - Curtom Records
No comments:
Post a Comment