Curtis Mayfield:

Curtis:(1970)

There's not enough time in the day to talk about all the ways that I believe Curtis Mayfield was a genius. He just was. His work with the Impressions we've already talked about. This may be the only solo Curtis I own on vinyl right now, but it's so damn good. Curtis seemed to have a way of harnessing the positivity in his societal rage that few posses. And, thank the good lord above he did. We certainly need more of it. If an album like this doesn't encourage you to want to make a positive change, well, I'm not sure what will. I mean, it includes these two songs alone....

(Don't Worry) If There's Hell Below We're All Gonna Go

Move On Up

John Mayall:

Turning Point:(1969)

Empty Rooms:(1969)

USA Union:(1970)

Back To The Roots:(1971)

John Mayall's body of work is interesting. On one hand, he's a Blues revivalist of the highest 1960's order. On the other, he's an inventive artist fusing a deep English Folk Pop sensibility with traditional American Rhythm & Blues and Rock'n'Roll. 

I saw John Mayall perform in Grand Junction, CO, in about 1996. It rained really hard that night, and the roof of the old theatre started leaking. A pool of water formed onstage right by one of the amps. It did not deter anyone performing. Was a great show. 

Of these albums, Empty Rooms might be my favorite. Since I was a kid, and first heard this record, Thinking of My Woman has intrigued me.     

Dave Mason:

Alone Together:(1970)

Headkeeper:(1972)

It's Like You Never Left:(1973)

These three albums pretty much represent the early part of Dave Mason's solo output, and are excellent slices of 1970's Rock'n'Roll. Great guitar work on all three, as expected. These are an example of why I started this whole blog thing. I know these records are in there, I just, for whatever reason, never get them out, and listen to them. When I do, I'm always like, 'hey, these are great, why don't I listen to them more often?' So, on this morning, I've been very much enjoying having ears to peep to Dave Mason.

Steve Martin:

Let's Get Small:(1977)

"Whenever someone asks, 'Mind if I smoke?', I say, 'No, mind if I fart?'" This is a Steve Martin comedy album. Enough said. Go laugh! Also, it's really funny to hide an atom bomb in your nose, and then pretend to sneeze.

Bob Marley:

Burnin':(1973)

LIVE!:(1975)

If you are remotely into music, then I assume you know what Bob Marley's music sounds like. Such an iconic figure that his image has been co-opted into the mainstream. A powerful man, who understood his power. A powerful man who understood his power, and had the ability to focus it into well crafted catchy songs. It is impossible to separate the politics from the music from the man. At least for me. I mean, on Burnin's A side alone you've got; Get Up Stand Up, I Shot The Sheriff, and Burnin' and Lootin'. These are songs of revolution. Revolution in the streets, and in the mind, and in the heart. Like the great Dr. King said, 'If you can't do it with love in your heart, then you have no right to do it at all.' It would seem to me that Marley understood this implicitly. These are records to turn to to feel there's at least a little light left in the world.

Herbie Mann:

Hold On I'm Coming:(1973)

As a kid this record pissed me off. It was my parents', and as a kid I always confused Herbie Mann with Manfred Mann. I wanted to hear Doo Wah Diddy, this is not that at all. Another time, when I was small, I wanted to hear the real version of Hold On I'm Coming, the STAX version. Obviously, I had forgotten my earlier experience with this record. Needless to say, Jazz Flute is not what I wanted to hear. 99.9% of the time it still isn't what I want to hear. But for that once in a blue moon feeling, there's this lone record. 

Lynyrd Skynyrd:

Second Helping:(1974)

One More From The Road:(1976)

Street Survivors:(1977)

Usually I fob off my owning of Lynyrd Skynyrd records on the fact that I was young, and didn't know any better. But, truth is, I do enjoy some of their tunes. However, there are some I skip over every time. Sweet Home Alabama being one of them. I just can't stand this song, and cultural status it has attained. I do like their version of JJ Cale's Call Me The Breeze. And the lead lick from I Know A Little was one of the first licks I learned at thirteen. So, yeah, there's my Lynyrd Skynyrd records.