Best Ever Albums

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

an-outlaw — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 14:30:58 GMT

Author: an-outlaw

Posted: 08/31/2021 18:30

Marvin Gaye is my favorite here 😄

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 04:13:20 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/28/2021 08:13

EyeKanFly wrote:

baystateoftheart wrote:

Yeah, Curtis Mayfield is a serious contender for my favorite artist in any genre. Marvin Gaye is probably top 25. The run of Curtis through There's No Place Like America Today may be the most incredible run ever for a solo artist. Each one is essential listening. He was truly the complete package, with excellent songwriting, production, instrumental talent, and vocals.

Interesting that there are more pro-Curtis posts, but Marvin is winning the vote in a landslide. Any more Marvin voters want to weigh in and explain your reasoning?

I already gave my say, but also wanted to point out that there are more pro-Curtis posts than there are votes for Curtis, so some folks just haven't voted it seems.

That is so BEA

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

DommeDamian — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 04:07:24 GMT

Author: DommeDamian

Posted: 08/28/2021 08:07

kokkinos wrote:

any particular reason you left Stevie Wonder out?

Probably because it wouldn't be fair for Marvin and Curtis 🤣 😜

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

DommeDamian — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 04:05:03 GMT

Author: DommeDamian

Posted: 08/28/2021 08:05

When I first heard Mayfield, I was overwhelmed and would definitely say him, but Marvin (especially the magnum opus What's Going On) has been hitting me harder lately; his longevity as well as charismatic yet chill delivery stays with me longer, therefore my vote goes to him.

Though I own Curtis (the 1970 album) on vinyl, whereas I don't own anything by Marvin.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 04:04:40 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/28/2021 08:04

baystateoftheart wrote:

Interesting that there are more pro-Curtis posts, but Marvin is winning the vote in a landslide. Any more Marvin voters want to weigh in and explain your reasoning?

I voted for Marvin because of his voice, The Funk Brothers and for Da 5 Bloods.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

Fischman — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 22:49:35 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 08/28/2021 02:49

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

EyeKanFly — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 19:24:45 GMT

Author: EyeKanFly

Posted: 08/27/2021 23:24

baystateoftheart wrote:

I already gave my say, but also wanted to point out that there are more pro-Curtis posts than there are votes for Curtis, so some folks just haven't voted it seems.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

baystateoftheart — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 19:18:12 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 08/27/2021 23:18

Yeah, Curtis Mayfield is a serious contender for my favorite artist in any genre. Marvin Gaye is probably top 25. The run of Curtis through There's No Place Like America Today may be the most incredible run ever for a solo artist. Each one is essential listening. He was truly the complete package, with excellent songwriting, production, instrumental talent, and vocals.

Interesting that there are more pro-Curtis posts, but Marvin is winning the vote in a landslide. Any more Marvin voters want to weigh in and explain your reasoning?

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

Skinny — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 17:21:17 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 08/26/2021 21:21

Curtis is probably my favourite songwriter/producer of all-time.

For example, this is one of his:

[youtube] https://youtu.be/YhuEY79gMzg[/youtube]

Look, Here, My Dear might be the best album between the pair - I mean, it’s not, but it’s also not far off - but Curtis was dropping bangers non-stop from like like 1960 until the mid-to-late seventies. Also, The Impressions are the goddamn best. Nobody has written more great pop songs than Curtis.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

craola — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 19:42:14 GMT

Author: craola

Posted: 08/25/2021 23:42

i haven't really heard quite enough from either to cast an honest vote, but from what i've heard from both, i'd lean curtis.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

Fischman — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:35:12 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 08/25/2021 21:35

Curtis without question for me.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

UofTBlues — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:01:44 GMT

Author: UofTBlues

Posted: 08/25/2021 21:01

Well if you want to get your lady horizontal Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" album is classic. It's so sensual & passionate.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

kokkinos — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:25:26 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 08/24/2021 19:25

It wouldn't change my pick - Curtis - , but any particular reason you left Stevie Wonder out?

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

LedZep — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:21:11 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 08/24/2021 19:21

Curtis, he's got the 2 best albums of the bunch. Haven't delved too deep into either discography, so not sure how much my vote should count.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

EyeKanFly — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 11:50:27 GMT

Author: EyeKanFly

Posted: 08/24/2021 15:50

I'd also be lying if I denied that Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe didn't influence my opinion of Trouble Man:

Link

Allegedly the script as written had The Beatles instead, but Mackie suggested Marvin Gaye. Not sure why they went with Trouble Man instead of What's Going On (maybe licensing fees to use a song?). Mackie and Daniel Brühl are 2 of my favorite actors involved in the Marvel movies/shows, and it was great to see their banter on this later on.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

EyeKanFly — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 11:42:32 GMT

Author: EyeKanFly

Posted: 08/24/2021 15:42

A few years ago I would've voted Marvin no questions asked, but recently I've been going deeper into Curtis' discography and he has some incredibly deep stuff. That said, Marvin's deeper discography is great too.

I think Curtis had a more impressive 60s career with the Impressions compared to Marvin's solo career in the 60s, but when both went solo, I think I'd hand it to Marvin. Their careers from there are quite similar, though I think Marvin was more successful past his prime of the early 70s, while Mayfield faded away despite living longer and releasing more albums.

They also have similar albums in their discography from the early 70s:
Curtis vs. What's Going On - solo debut, or at least the solo debut for each where the album was self-written and produced; concept album with themes regarding the political and social issues that black people face in America, while also made in a way that non-black and non-Americans can also appreciate and understand the plight and struggle
Curtis/Live! vs. What's Going On Live at the Kennedy Center - incredible solo live performances (though Gaye's wasn't released until after his death and isn't the best recording quality)
Roots vs. Let's Get It On - ok these are a little less similar, but both incredible follow-ups to their earlier albums, both get a little more funk-infused and upbeat soul, and both still continue on with themes of the early albums
Superfly vs. Trouble Man - soundtracks to blaxploitation films, in both cases the soundtrack eclipses the film itself by an incredible margin

I could go for more but the similarities become a little looser after that. These are also out of chronological order though they are all from the same 4-year time period. The critical consensus on the winner seems to be What's Going on, Curtis/Live!, Let's Get It On, and Superfly. My preference would probably be What's Going On, Curtis/Live!, Roots, and Trouble Man.

It's a close call but overall I gotta go with Marvin Gaye for 2 main reasons: his overall impact to the music industry and to American culture at large is greater than Curtis' in my opinion. That and Marvin Gaye is a hometown hero. My commute used to lead me past both the hospital where he was born and the high school he attended. Where I from or more familiar with Chicago, that might give the edge to pick Curtis.

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

RoundTheBend — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 05:20:52 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 08/24/2021 09:20

For nostalgia reasons almost entirely... well that and Grapevine might be the greatest single of all time imo.

Original:

Link

Good lord dude could execute:

Link

Live:

Link

What I thought was cool as an 8 year old:

Link

Re: Curtis vs Marvin

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 04:33:19 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/24/2021 08:33

Wow, with this and the Kendrick thread maybe the music forum is coming out of its slumber. Maybe not though 🤣

I’m listening to more of both these guys lately (as well as Stevie, Al Green and Diana Ross). Both completely great of course. Though I only know the two best known albums by each and some early things from compilations. Those four albums are all stone cold 5/5 classics. Maybe Ill go Marvin because he might have released the greatest album of all time. I’ll listen to more albums by them both in time. Abstain for now.

Curtis vs Marvin

RoundTheBend — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 04:13:57 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 08/24/2021 08:13

This is probably not a fair comparison, but Curtis Mayfield vs Marvin Gaye?

The father of Soul Train (Curtis played a big role in the beginning) and so much more pivotal to black culture, or the heavy hitter of Grapevine as a single and What's Going On.

Curtis is deep.

Marvin hits hard.

No can haz smartz beyond words making.