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THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: 'Movin' on Up: The Music and Message of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions' now on DVD
Documentary on the life and career of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions now on DVD
*“Curtis Mayfield and The Impression, they are one in the same,” producer David Peck said about the subject of his latest documentary film, “Moving On Up: The Music and Message of Curtis Mayfield.” “Curtis was writing (songs) about equality and injustice.”
Peck’s latest project is one of many about music industry icons that he has documented on DVD. He has produced over 30 and some of his most notable are “The Temptations: Get Ready The Definitive Performances 1965-1972”; “Marvin Gaye: The Real Thing in Performances 1964 – 1981,” which was certified gold, along with “Smokey Robinson and The Miracles: Definitive Performances 1963-1987,” all produced by his Reelin’ In The Years Productions, LLC and distributed by Universal Music.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Impression, David Peck in this two-hour film, “Movin’ On Up: The Music and Message of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions,” tells the incredible story of one of the greatest artists and most important R&B groups of all time, The Impressions. Also included in the documentary are 22 complete vintage television performances from The Impression and Curtis Mayfield’s solo career.
“When the group started in Chattanooga I was too young (15 – 16 years-old) to travel with them to Chicago where there were recording companies,” said Impression member Fred Cash about their humble beginnings. “They later came back for me when they recorded, ‘Precious Love,” which was a hit (sold 900,000 copies). I was 17 at that time. Jerry Butler (an original member) departed after that”
At the time of ‘Precious Love” the group was named Jerry Butler and The Impression. Aside from Cash, Mayfield and Butler other members included Sam Gooden (founder) and bothers Richard and Arthur Brooks. Cash goes on to tell of the familiar music industry story that says, “even though they had a hit, the record label walked away with the profits.”
“We were going to buy a car, but we walked away with nothing,” Cash stated about their devastating moment. “It just taught me we had to be careful.”
Fred said that their record company did eventually give the guys a station wagon so they could get to the shows. The group went through other challenges, like lead singer Jerry Butler leaving for a solo career, and then fellow member and group song writer/producer, Curtis Mayfield, going on tour with him for a year. Mayfield co-wrote for Butler his hit, “(He Will) Break Your Heart.”
Mayfield had a plan; that plan was to make as much money as he could while on the road and come back and get with the group. He did just that and the first thing they did was redo, “Gypsy Woman,” next they recorded “Its All Right” and then “Keep on Pushing.”
By the 60s they found their sound without Butler in Curtis who took over as lead singer. By then the Brooks brothers had left, leaving Mayfield, Cash and Gooden as a trio. The now three member group recorded such hits as “Its All Right,” which reached number one on R&B and Pop charts. By the 70s Mayfield left the trio to form his own label Custom Records. As a soloist Mayfield’s hits included “Superfly,” “Freddie’s Dead,” “Pusherman,” “People Get Ready, “Choice of Colors” and “We’re a Winner/Amen.” In 1990 Curtis was paralyzed in a car accident and by 1999 he had passed away.
“We still perform,” Fred says about the group who was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “We performed at the King Center in Atlanta for CNN’s premier and for the 50th anniversary show in Chattanooga with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, it was sold out. We will be performing in Los Angeles with the L.A. Symphony Orchestra, a 42 piece orchestra.”
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