Good Morning P.O.U. Fam!
This week we will explore the artists and sounds of Chicago Soul.
Chicago soul exhibited an unmistakable gospel sound, like Southern soul, but was somewhat lighter and more delicate in its approach. Chicago vocal groups tended to feature laid-back sweet harmonies, while solo artists exhibited a highly melodic approach to their songs.
The Impressions provided a critical link between Fifties rhythm & blues and Sixties soul. The group formed in Chicago in 1957 as a doo wop group called the Roosters. Lead singer Jerry Butler joined up and soon brought in his friend Curtis Mayfield as guitarist; the two had previously sung together in a church choir and a couple of local gospel groups as youths.
Renamed the Impressions by their manager, the group scored a major hit in 1958 with the classic ballad “For Your Precious Love.” Released in 1958, it was credited to “The Impressions Featuring Jerry Butler,” and the spotlighting of the song’s lead vocalist resulted in jealousies leading to Butler’s departure that same year.
For a few years thereafter the Impressions foundered, but they regained their footing and discovered their signature sound in the early Sixties with Mayfield in command.
The Impressions soared through the Sixties with a string of chart successes that established the group as the social conscience of soul music. Their biggest hit was “It’s All Right” (#1 R&B, #4 Pop). The Impressions songs that have had the greatest staying power are those, like “People Get Ready” and “Amen,” that provided inspiration to the those involved in the social struggles of the Sixties.
1970’s “Check Out Your Mind” was Mayfield’s final album with the Impressions, but the group remained on Curtom Records after his departure, and he continued to write and produce some of their material.Leroy Hutson replaced Mayfield on lead vocals and debuted on 1972’s “Times Have Changed” LP.
The Impressions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. The members who got to take part in this honor, as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, were Sam Gooden, Jerry Butler, Richard Brooks, Curtis Mayfield, Arthur Brooks, and Fred Cash.