Table 25 (second row from the front, center stage)
The Impressions have been one of my favorite acts since childhood, but
I had never previously seen them live, assuming that they had disbanded long
ago. So I was delighted (and fortunate, since they are planning to retire after
this tour) to hear that they were coming to town, with veterans Fred Cash and
Sam Gooden (both of whom had been with the group since the late 1950s) along
with “youngster” Jeremy Purifory, the latest successor to the great Curtis
Mayfield.
They certainly didn’t disappoint, doing almost 20 songs in two sets
totaling about 105 minutes. Cash and Gooden both looked and sounded much
younger than their years, and Purifory is a great vocal talent, doing full
credit to Mayfield’s parts without trying to sound exactly like him.
Highlights:
It’s All Right (opening the show)
Nothing Can Stop Me (Curtis Mayfield song that was a hit for Gene
Chandler)
I Loved And I Lost (my personal favorite)
I’m So Proud (stunning vocals by Purifory at the end)
People Get Ready
He’s A Friend Of Mine (Eddie Kendricks hit from 1976 ending the first
set)
Freddie’s Dead (instrumental by the fine 9-piece band to get the second
set underway)
Gypsy Woman
Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield solo classic to end the show)
