The Very Best of the Impressions

Track Listings

1. Gypsy Woman

2. It's All Right

3. Talking About My Baby

4. Keep on Pushing

5. You Must Believe Me

6. Amen

7. People Get Ready

8. Woman's Got Soul

9. We're a Winner

10. Fool for You

11. This Is My Country

12. Choice of Colors

13. Check Out Your Mind [*]

14. Finally Got Myself Together (I'm a Changed Man) [*]

15. Sooner or Later [*]

16. Same Thing It Took [*]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Sweet soul music of the highest caliber, the singles collected here--including classics like "Keep On Pushing," "Amen," and "People Get Ready"--were primarily the creation of singer-songwriter Curtis Mayfield, but they also feature gorgeous harmonies and occasional leads by Impressions Fred Cash and Samuel Gooden. And--bonus!--besides including most of the group's Mayfield-era hits, The Very Best also documents the Impressions' biggest post-Mayfield recording, "Finally Got Myself Together (I'm a Changed Man)." As an introduction to the group, in fact, this disc's only flaw is that it omits their heavenly 1958 hit "For Your Precious Love," with original lead Jerry Butler. --David Cantwell

The Very Best of the Impressions,The Impressions,Rhino / Wea,Chicago Soul,Northern Soul,Pop,Pop-Soul,Popular Music,R&B,Soul,United States of America,Uptown Soul

The Very Best of the Impressions

Average customer rating:

The Impressions

The greatest hits of the Impressions (with Curtis Mayfield)

"The Very Best of the Impressions " My Type of Music!!

Contains all the Impressions songs I wanted.

very uplifting

The Very Best of the Impressions
The Impressions
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music
General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
Northern | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Release Date: 1997-02-04

Tracks:

Gypsy Woman
It's All Right
Talking About My Baby
Keep On Pushing
You Must Believe Me
Amen
People Get Ready
Woman's Got Soul
We're A Winner
Fool For You
This Is My Country
Choice Of Colors
Check Out Your Mind
Finally Got Myself Together (I'm A Changed Man)
Sooner Or Later
Same Thing It Took

Amazon.com

Sweet soul music of the highest caliber, the singles collected here--including classics like "Keep On Pushing," "Amen," and "People Get Ready"--were primarily the creation of singer-songwriter Curtis Mayfield, but they also feature gorgeous harmonies and occasional leads by Impressions Fred Cash and Samuel Gooden. And--bonus!--besides including most of the group's Mayfield-era hits, The Very Best also documents the Impressions' biggest post-Mayfield recording, "Finally Got Myself Together (I'm a Changed Man)." As an introduction to the group, in fact, this disc's only flaw is that it omits their heavenly 1958 hit "For Your Precious Love," with original lead Jerry Butler. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

The Impressions.......2007-02-13

Pure R&B at its finest. The whole CD is magnificent. I don't care what some may think, but I think Curtis Mayfield was the Godfather of Soul and here is where it really all started for him.

The greatest hits of the Impressions (with Curtis Mayfield).......2005-01-12

There are so many soul groups where one member was the lead singer from the start or where one singer became bigger than the group and went out on their own (e.g., Diana Ross and the Supremes). What made the Impressions different was that it produced two major stars in Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler (Fred Cash was the third member of the trio). Working out of Chicago and originally a doo-wop group called the Roosters, the Impressions had a distinctly different sound from the groups in Motown and Philadelphia. Their harmonies were lighter and the trios would trade off on the vocals, a gospel tradition that was rare for rhythm and blues groups. In terms of instrumentation Mayfield (who wrote almost all of the songs in this cllection) went for minimal guitars and understated rhythms, often with a Latin influence, all of which continued to give the Impressions a distinct sound.

Since "The Very Best of the Impressions" is a Rhino collection it is an excellent collection of the group's greatest hits with stellar liner notes by David Nathan. True fans of the group will quibble with the sixteen songs selected only because the deciding factor is how well they did on the soul charts rather than on their quality irrespective of chart success. The hits are arranged chronologically, from their early successes with "Gypsy Woman" and "It's All Right," when the group was a quintet rather than the trio it is best remembered as being, to the two songs by the Impressions that made it to #1 on the soul on the Black Singles chart were "Choice of Colors" (which asked the question, "If you had a choice of colors, which would you prefer, my brother?") and the post-Mayfield "Finally Got Myself Together (I'm A Changed Man)." In between are the classic tracks Mayfield wrote that were some of the first R&B songs to exhibit a strong social consciousness and reflect Mayfield's religious background.

The biggie here is "People Get Ready," which only made it to #14 on the Billboard chart but which was named by "Rolling Stone" magazine as the 24th greatest song of all-time. Mayfield wrote the song just before a march in Chicago led by Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1965. When the song was released churches in Chicago began singing their own version, which ironically changed the final lyrics so the song was more universal but less religious. The song would eventually be covered by Vanilla Fudge, Bob Dylan, the Chambers Brothers, Glen Campbell, Petula Clark, Rod Stewart, and Aretha Franklin, which certainly speaks to the scope of those who were moved by its message.

"Amen" and "Keep on Pushing" are in a similar religious vein, the former familiar because of Sidney Portier singing the old spiritual in "Lillies of the Field" and now rewritten by Mayfield and producer John W. Pate, Sr. The latter reflects the resolute attitude of the civil rights movement. Other songs reflect Mayfield's last years with the group, such as "We're a Winner," "This Is My Country," and "Check Out Your Mind." One song that I would have liked to have seen included is "Mighty, Mighty Spade & Whitey," the B-Side for "Choice of Colors" which received a lot of air-play because of its provocative title. But what is here is certainly representative of the Impressions, both in terms of their musical style and their cultural significance in the Sixties.

"The Very Best of the Impressions " My Type of Music!!.......2004-01-26

This album is what I need. It is very uplifting and brings back so many memories. We need this music today. It will never grow old, because the music relates to today's issues and concerns. Anyone wanting to relax and enjoy music how it was meant to be will not be disappointed!! I am definitely Old School! The "Impressions" keep it real....

Keep Your Head To The Sky!!

Contains all the Impressions songs I wanted........2002-10-01

This CD had all the obscure songs I wanted by the Impressions. It was the best I could ask for; the only reason I gave it 4 stars is their songwriting was not completely to my taste. "Fool For You" is great and I haven't heard that song since 1970. (That song's unusual sound comes from its uncommon 9/8 meter.) Other songs I remember from long ago are the social commentary song "Choice of Colors," "Amen," and "It's All Right."

very uplifting.......2000-03-09

these songs are timeless.The Genius Mind of Curtis Mayfield is felt all through here.Choice of COlors is a Powerful song.MR.Mayfield made a Incredible Impact on the world of Music.he was so real&forceful with His Work.He WIll be Missed but never forgotten.this is true SOUL MUSIC.everything that is missing badly now in R-N-B.

1964: Shakin' All Over (Time Life Music Classic Rock)

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1964: Shakin' All Over (Time Life Music Classic Rock)
Major Lance , Brenda Holloway , The Hondells , Jumpin' Gene Simmons , The Velvelettes , Jimmy Hughes , Bobby Bland , The Impressions , The Searchers , and Gerry and the Pacemakers
Manufacturer: Time-Life Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Song listing: 1 Roy Orbison Oh, Pretty Woman (2:58) 2 Major Lance Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um (2:22) 3 Peter & Gordon I Don't Want To See You Again (2:01) 4 Chuck Berry Nadine (Is It You?) (2:34) 5 Brenda Holloway Every Little Bit Hurts (2:53) 6 Beach Boys, The Don't Worry Baby (2:49) 7 Hondells, The Little Honda (2:05) 8 Jumpin' Gene Simmons Haunted House (2:35) 9 Velvelettes, The Needle In A Haystack (2:26) 10 Dionne Warwick Walk On By (2:53) 11 Gerry & The Pacemakers Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying (2:37) 12 Diana Ross & The Supremes Baby Love (2:39) 13 Searchers, The Don't Throw Your Love Away (2:17) 14 Ventures, The Walk, Don't Run '64 (2:25) 15 Marvelettes, The Too Many Fish In The Sea (2:30) 16 Little Anthony & The Imperials I'm On The Outside (Looking In) (3:09) 17 Jimmy Hughes Steal Away (2:28) 18 Bobby Bland Ain't Nothing You Can Do (2:31) 19 Jan & Dean Drag City (2:17) 20 Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Quicksand (2:36) 21 Impressions, The Talking About My Baby (2:32) 22 Bobby Vinton Mr. Lonely (2:39)

1965: Shakin' All Over (Time-Life Music Classic Rock)

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The Zombies , Lee Dorsey , Cannibal and the Headhunters , The Strangeloves , Peter and Gordon , Diana Ross and the Supremes , The Larks , Jackie DeShannon , Gary Lewis and the Playboys , and The Guess Who
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From the Time-Life Music Classic Rock series - 1965: Shakin' All Over with 23 of the best rock 'n' roll songs from 1965. Song listing: 1 James Brown Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (2:08) 2 Zombies, The Tell Her No (2:07) 3 Lee Dorsey Ride Your Pony (2:51) 4 Cher All I Really Want To Do (2:57) 5 Peter & Gordon I Go To Pieces (2:23) 6 Jackie DeShannon What The World Needs Now Is Love (3:07) 7 Cannibal & The Headhunters Land Of 1000 Dances (2:15) 8 Gary Lewis & The Playboys Count Me In (2:26) 9 Larks, The The Jerk (2:35) 10 Vogues, The You're The One (2:20) 11 Kinks, The Set Me Free (2:13) 12 Righteous Brothers, The Unchained Melody (3:38) 13 Diana Ross & The Supremes Stop! In The Name Of Love (2:53) 14 Marvin Gaye Ain't That Peculiar (3:02) 15 Strangeloves, The I Want Candy (2:36) 16 Freddie & The Dreamers I'm Telling You Now (2:09) 17 Barbara Lewis Make Me Your Baby (2:30) 18 Impressions, The People Get Ready (2:39) 19 Petula Clark Downtown (3:09) 20 Guess Who, The Shakin' All Over (2:43) 21 We Five You Were On My Mind (2:38) 22 Temptations, The It's Growing (2:59) 23 Barbara Mason Yes, I'm Ready (3:04)

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The Very Best of the Impressions
The Impressions
Manufacturer: Snapper UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000AOVL7C
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Tracks:

This Is My Country
Fool for You
Gone Away
Choice of Colors
Mighty, Mighty (Spade and Whitey)
Seven Years
Wherever You Leadeth Me
Check out Your Mind
(Baby) Turn on to Me
You're Really Something, Sadie
Ain't Got Time
Times Have Changed
Potent Love
Preacher Man
If It's in You to Do Wrong
Finally Got Myself Together (I'm a Changed Man)
Something's Mighty, Mighty Wrong
Make a Resolution
First Impressions
Same Thing It Took
Sooner or Later
Loving Power

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1964 Classic Rock: The Beat Goes On
The Honeycombs , The Dixie Cups , Don Covay , The Reflections , The Murmaids , Roy Orbison , The Pyramids , The Rip Chords , The Searchers , and The Jelly Beans
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Impressions ~ The Very Best of LAD
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Manufacturer: Seoul Records
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ASIN: B000SA8BFI

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Korean Special Edition of Swedish Rock Act's 2007 Best Album. Contains 16 Tracks Including 2 Bonus Tracks. 01. Again And Again 02. Break The Chains (Of Destiny) 03. Pages 04. Up In Paradise 05. Love To Go 06. Going Home 07. Winter In Paradise 08. Brand New Life 09. After Tomorrows Gone 10. Dont Let Our Love Go Down 11. Rocket Of Love 12. American Girl 13. Domino 14. Running 15. Doin Time 16.Skyscraper