One of Curtis Mayfield's best songs in my humble opinion is "Mighty Mighty (Spade and Whitey)," a black power anthem also advocating interracial unity to achieve social change. It also represents part of The Impressions' fundamental shift in the late 1960s to a funkier sound instead of their characteristic Chicago soul style emphasizing clean melodies and harmonization. Below I shall share 3 different versions of this funky jam. Like "This Is My Country," this black nationalist, pro-civil rights anthem is integrationist in tone, rather than separatist like other manifestations of black nationalism.
1. The original recording by The Impressions here
Funky good times will ensue if you listen to this. "Mighty, mighty, spade and whitey, your black and white power." Curtis Mayfield also gets down on the guitar here, though too briefly.
2. Baby Huey, a soul legend who died too soon, was also an artist who recorded on Curtis Mayfield's label, Curtom, including a cover of "Mighty Mighty." His version is great, listen! Baby Huey has a very distinct voice, deeper than Curtis Mayfield's. He also has a child singing along! He also throws in some spoken word discussing a restaurant in black Chicago. Baby Huey also recorded a very unique version of "A Change is Gonna Come." Check it out!
3. Curtis Mayfield recorded a great live version of the song featuring Latin percussion live in 1971. By this period, I believe The Impressions disbanded and Curtis fully embraced the funky aesthetic of 1970s R&B. Naturally, he maintains his falsetto but the addition of congas (and there is a brief solo) on this track enhances his funk card in my book. He also adds in some James Brown, adding the verse, "I gotta to say it loud, I gotta say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud." The live album this great album is from is definitely worth a listen to hear how Mayfield reinterprets some classics from his Impressions days back in the 1960s. Check it. Check this here to see how Curtis reinterprets "Gypsy Woman," too. And "We're a Winner." He even does "People Get Ready" beautifully.
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