Impressions, The

4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

INCLUDES 11 BONUS TRACKS

Led by the great Curtis Mayfield, The Impressions provided a critical link between ‘50s R&B and ‘60s soul. They pioneered and epitomized the sound of Chicago soul, a marriage of gospel and pop influences with a timely conscience. From the beginning, Mayfield was an innovative singer, gifted songwriter and producer whose work with the trio was typified by sophisticated yet celebratory grooves, elaborately detailed vocal arrangements, and lyrics thataddressed and advanced the black freedom movement of the ‘60s.

This quintessential release presents the group’s magnificent and eponymous debut LP, The Impressions, which consists of songs theyrecorded between 1961 and 1962 for the ABC-Paramount label. This remastered collector’s edition also contains 11 bonus tracksfrom the same period, including the smash hit “It’s All Right,” plus early sides with the original lead singer Jerry Butler. Some of the material here isn’t available on other editions, nor have these tracks ever been previously compiled together on one release. Without a doubt, this is the material upon which The Impressions’ soulful and socially conscious legacy was built.

PERSONNEL:

THE IMPRESSIONS:
Curtis Mayfield (high tenor vocals and guitar)
Fred Cash (tenor vocals)
Sam Gooden (bass and baritone vocals)
Jerry Butler (baritone vocals)
Arthur Brooks, Richard Brooks (vocals).

Recorded in New York and Chicago, between 1958 and 1962.
Original recordings produced by Curtis Mayfield and Roy Glover, Jr.

TRACKS:

THE IMPRESSIONS (ABC – 450)
01 GYPSY WOMAN 2:23
02 GROW CLOSER TOGETHER 2:16
03 LITTLE YOUNG LOVER 2:17
04 YOU’VE COME HOME 2:49
05 NEVER LET ME GO 2:33
06 CAN’T YOU SEE 2:40
07 MINSTREL AND QUEEN 2:23
08 I NEED YOUR LOVE 2:25
09 I’M THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU 2:30
10 SAD, SAD GIRL AND BOY 2:44
11 AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME 2:30
12 TWIST AND LIMBO 2:32

BONUS TRACKS
13 FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE 2:45
14 IT’S ALL RIGHT 2:49
15 SWEET WAS THE WINE 2:08
16 SHORTY’S GOT TO GO 2:34
17 LOVE ME 2:36
18 LISTEN 2:44
19 SEÑORITA I LOVE YOU 2:33
20 THE GIFT OF LOVE 2:45
21 DON’T DRIVE ME AWAY 2:52
22 COME BACK MY LOVE 2:36
23 AT THE COUNTY FAIR 2:03

TOTAL TIME: 58:23