The Farrellel Universe

I first got turned on to Curtis Mayfield while working at Bazbeaux.  We had this compilation cd that we'd play for house music.  Initially, I ignored the cd, but it eventually got into my subconsious.  The track on that cd was "Freddie's Dead", but the base line in Superfly is one of the funkiest written in the '70's.  This live cut is a good demo of the performing talents of Mr. Curtis Mayfield.

The song Superfly comes from the soundtrack to the 1972 film of the same name.  Curtis had a real gift for storytelling in his lyrics.  He could celebrate black culture without glorifying the negatives of ghetto life in the mid 20th century. 

Plus, his voice is just beautiful.

I first heard this tune played by Sean Baker of the Leisure Kings in his solo during Rock You Like a Hurricane.  This is Billy Joel from 1978.  Van Morrison, Billy Joel, David Bowie... Where are their counterparts among today's musicians?  I don't doubt they exist, I just don't know where they are.

I learned yesterday that his Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2 is in the top 10 most sold albums of all time.  What is the most sold album of all time?  According to the RIAA, it's The Eagles, Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)

I continue to be amazed by the videos I can find on Youtube.  It has totally replaced Napster for what I used to use it for, exposign me to new music.

John Hartford, Vaasar Clements, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, and Marc O'Connor.  Excellent breaks by everyone... of course.