I Plan To Stay A Believer

One of the greatest live albums, no scratch that, one of the greatest albums of them all, Curtis Mayfield's "Curtis/Live!" has more soul than a pair of clown shoes. The great man's beautiful voice and unique guitar style (he tuned his guitar to the black piano keys, giving him an open F-sharp tuning -- F#, A#, C#, F#, A#, F#) are perfectly matched to the best songs of his solo years and his time with the Impressions. Just listen to 'People Get Ready' here and if you don't instantly get religion then you are destined to be damned forever. I also strongly recommend you get you hand on the "Curtis" album. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" gets all the praise and while that's a fantastic album, "Curtis" is just as strong if soul with a message is your bag.

Many thanks to the great JR HeatWarp, straight outta Austin, Texas.