July 20th at Lincoln Center in NYC:

"The product of a collaboration between Lincoln Center Festival and the Mayfield estate, this one-night-only event pays tribute to the late Curtis Mayfield, an iconic Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member whose music served as a soundtrack to the civil rights movement, introducing poetry and moral affirmation into pop, soul, funk, and R&B. A roster of special guest artists from across decades and styles--including Mavis Staples, Aloe Blacc, Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and more to be announced--joins The Impressions, the inimitable vocal soul group Mayfield led early in his career, along with a 14-piece house band under the musical directorship of guitarist Binky Griptite of the funk-infused Dap-Kings."

photos by David Andrako

The history of The Impressions is a timeline that spans almost the entire course of rock & soul music. As most of you already know the group counted both Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield within their ranks over the last half century. They are blessed to have founder members Fred Cash and Sam Gooden still onstage and sounding great.... Pulling from a repertoire that includes doo-wop, gospel, civil rights anthems and "blaxploitation" soundtracks the trio gave a guided tour of how their songs have become entwined in American culture. "It's Alright", "Gypsy Woman", "Keep On Pushing", "Superfly", "People Get Ready", "Choice of Colors", "Move On Up", "We're A Winner" - you get the picture. I think the phrase "achingly beautiful" could have been coined to describe "I'm So Proud". -[SkeletonPete]

The show was a rare teaming of performers and opened with Binky accompanying singer Inyang Bassey, and included the DJ stylings of Pari, Honky, Mr. Robinson, and Eli "Paperboy" Reed. Here are some pictures and a video. It all continues below...

Continue reading "The Impressions played one of Southpaw's final shows w/ Binky Griptite & the Dee-Kays (pics & video)"

"In what may be Soul music's most exciting collaboration of the year, Rock'n Roll Hall of Famers THE IMPRESSIONS will team up with Brooklyn's BINKY GRIPTITE and the Dee-Kays, a group of musicians featuring members of the Dap-Kings, for a unique Soul revue showcasing two of the best acts of the genre's history, bringing together two generations. This is a rare chance to hear some of the greatest Impressions hits, such as "Keep on pushing," "Choice of Colors", "We're a winner" and of course "People get ready," all performed by the group's original members Fred Cash, Sam Gooden and Reggie Torian (who replaced former lead vocalist Curtis Mayfield in the early 1970s), backed by the mighty DeeKays. If you have always wondered what it was like to see the Impressions during their prime in the 1960s, this show is a must for you! "

PREVIOUSLY: The Rub moving to the Bell House, eulogize Southpaw (where they'll play one more time)