"We can deal with rockets and dreams but reality, what does it mean?" This guy was profound.

When God says, "Somebody play me some funk.", this is what he gets.

That's My Dad Jonathan French on the drums 🥁...He's Killin it...Yea Dad Love You💕💕💕 and We are Sooo Proud of You and he can still drum like that to this day💯💯💯

You either haven’t listened or haven’t listened closely or you realize that Curtis Mayfield is a genius💪

Notice, "NO AUTO-TUNE". Curtis Mayfield is a real talent. So, underated.

Curtis had more funk and soul in his pinkie finger than all these cats put together nowadays!

Brother Curtis Mayfield was a Genius

just as smooth as silk....the legendary Curtis Mayfield. this one definitley has the feel of 1973 to it.

The Chicago genius is as relevant today as he ever was, one of his greatest tracks in an amazing catalogue of work, man I miss him

Other thoughts: The bass player(Joseph 'Lucky' Scott) is playing it big. Curtis Mayfield pioneered singing Soul music behind the beat. D'Angelo and the other Neo Soul cats took notice. Respect.

Damn, Curtis was a genius. His music touches you man. Seriously.

glad i grew up in the 1970s and 80s best music 1960s and 1970s and 1980s cant never stop listening to the music from thoses decades

RIP MY BROTHER Curtis Mayfield

The lyrics just hit you in the guts. Curtis always spoke truth to power.

I wish I could get it LOUDER .. i can never get it loud enough. and i'm in my 60's in the 70s in my head. soul, r+b, funk, rock, roll, THE BLUES. Reality. My friend Frankie is dead. He ran his life and then he died. There was no need for him to die. You can't be in 'recovery' and then use and die. That's not how it works. There are no old junkies, just dead ones. You either get clean, go to prison or die. You choose. Heroin only wants EVERYTHING including your soul. don't let the devil win. I took back my life. It's not perfect, but then nothin' ever is.

THEY DON'T MAKE EM LIKE THIS ANYMORE. TODAY'S SO CALLED MUSIC JUST KEEPS ON LOOPING AROUND AND AROUND. THIS IS SOUL MUSIC THAT IS TIMELESS AND BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED.

Why can't anyone make music like this anymore? So cool it sounds effortless.

This is such a cool-ass, FUUUUUNKY version! Curtis is kickin' it up in heaven! Rest In Peace, bro!

I could listen to this classic from the maestro all day! Man, today's youth are clueless and it's unfortunate...

He made it look easy. He was so brilliant.

The Grandmaster of Soul

This man was way before his time. Right on for the beauty of his music! God bless and R.I.P. Curtis Mayfield.

One of the most unappreciated artists of all time. Great music with biting social commentary. Glad HBO's series "The Deuce" used his music as the opening theme. Talk about street credit...

Remembering you Curtis today on what would have been your 79th. I'm still listening & always will. Legend ☮️💟🌟

This session is so TIGHT💪🏾. Curt's voice . . . so smoooth! His fellow musicians, ON POINT with precision👊🏾 - 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

This classic music is what I'm talking about

Truly epic...this would be a #1 even now.

Freddies is one of them open-hearted people that we'll always miss

The drummer is funky!

Simply stated...it DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS! Curtis Mayfield was a baaaaaad man!!!! One of the absolute best to ever grace us with his artistry. RIP

Who can touch this fantastic groove train from the 70s? Gorgeous ...

I love that "wuaah wup badupop-bop badupopbop" at the beginning

Man I wish I could sing like Curtis Mayfield!

I remember this tune on the radio when I was a kid. Here I am at 51 and it's still some of the best funk.

Curtis IS classic, defined! Thank you, CM, for your genius.

Curtis Brilliance was beyond words....Incredible! mmj

I'm so proud to share the same name as this great man

He is the bomb, his lyrics and riffs were way ahead of his time and even now no one can match him. Rest in peace Curtis.

One of the best of all time. Curtis was great. R.I.P. Curtis! Old white guy from Seattle, WA

damm awesome track used in classic movie superfly. love curtis mayfield he is the man.

It's not just the vocals that Curtis put forth...but the truth he put forth. RIP Curtis!

Sorry for all the messages but I have not heard this song in probably 30 years, and everything is coming back like yesterday. I am so freaking grateful for whoever recorded this performance so it wasn't lost

The 70s gave us some of the best music ever, ALL genres included....

This is the exact reason why I continue to listen to old school music... I dont care who made it!! This crap they call music today is mind boggling rubbish!! Good music use to be the rule... now its the exception!!!

Shout out to the rhythm section on this. The bass, drums and bangos were really hitting the timing like a sewing machine. Crazy syncopation! Listen to 2:55. Excellent arranging by the Maestro.

Hey, hey Love, love Yeah, yeah Ah, ha Freddies dead That's what I said Let the rap a plan Said he'd see him home But his hope was a rope And he should've known It's hard to understand That there's love in this man I'm sure all would agree That his misery was his Woman and things Now Freddie's dead That's what I said Everybody's misused him Ripped him up and abused him Another junkie plan Pushin' dope for the man A terrible blow But that's how it goes A freddies on the corner now If you wanna be a junkie, wow Remember freddies dead We're all built up with progress But sometimes I must confess We can deal with rockets and dreams But reality, what does it mean Ain't nothing said 'Cause freddies dead Hey, hey Love, love Hey, hey Yeah, yeah Ha, ha Love, love Yeah, yeah Ha, ha Yeah, yeah Freddies dead All I want is some peace of mind With a little love I'm trying to find This could be such a beautiful world With a wonderful girl Why I need a woman child Don't wanna be like freddie now 'Cause freddies dead Hey, hey Yeah, yeah If you don't try You're gonna die Why can't we brothers Protect one another No one's serious And it makes me furious Don't be misled Just think of Fred Everybody's misused him Ripped him up and abused him Another junkie plan Pushin' dope for the man A freddies on the corner now If you wanna be a junkie, why Remember freddies dead Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha Freddies dead Hey, hey Ha, ha Love, love Ha, ha...

Of course I saw Superfly when I was in my teens and I can't tell you how many times I listened to the album. this almost 67 year-old woman is blown away watching Curtis Mayfield perform for the first time. I forwarded this to two friends actually three and one is only 25 but loves music and I'm interested to see what she thinks

Just can't stop playing this video, absolute "Mayfield "at it's best, But reality what does it mean? Don't be like Fred ..

Curtis is a musical genius. His lyrics are so profound.

Saw the movie Super Fly and bought Curtis Mayfield's album, still have this album in my collection.

Agreed...for those struggling today with addiction! Curtis was the bomb 💣 and a killer guitarist... a voice to die for, like an Angel!!!😇

Curtis Mayfield was ahead of his time he never got his due that was one bad boy

You had to have grown up in the 70s to actually feel the soul in the music. Every instrument in tune with one another, as well as the artist!!!

Classic musical genius to master so many instruments and make music with timeless messages!

That's some armpit funk right there!!!

Curtis Mayfield was about peace and loving your fellow man no matter what color he was born. The world sadly needs more people spreading this message....

Once good, always good. Thisssssss is music!

Got to love the funk, man. Rest in peace, brother.

Such an amazing genius. R&B as God intended.

this is a true classic. actually best song i ever heard in my life. still bangin' in 2013

He's gold as always

These cats were groovin'.

My Granddad use to play this EVERY Saturday Morning when I was younger. I got this song stuck in my head for the longest but I never knew who sang it. Now I know, he's name was Awesome. =3

Truly "TOP SHELF" Curtis @ Co.. Close my eyes and think of my friend's mom's Buick Electra 225! Time are good now but you could put your arms around things then.. Glad for the great "LIVE" Curtis sante3d,r.i.p. Curtis, your music & spirit lives on!

Soul with a message The great Curtis. RIP

Curtis Mayfield was AMAZING,,,truly missed...

😢😢😢RIP to the ancestor Curtis Mayfield who transitioned 20 years ago today!

Curtis shall always remain as one of the best black artists ever for various reasons: 1. Owned all his recordings unlike many black artists of that time. 2. Was at the forefront of civil rights movement helping black people. 3. Preached peace and love between black and white even after his own poverty, deprived upbringing. 4. Produced, wrote, performed music and vocals of all his music. An unbelievable phenomenon. Thank you God for allowing me to see him twice in London live. wow. RIP.

I used His lyrics as a quote for my research paper On Music Theory.

this is the real R&B music coming direct from this sensitive man's heart!!! curtis is the gently -genius creator of superfly soul music... good rest him in peace somewhere in the angels land!!!

so raw and funky.. this is a masterclass in funk and groove.. not to mention soulful vocals great bass and drums..

Can't be more funk than this!!!

Genius. Says it all

Curtis Mayfield's voice and lyrics are the best.

It's a testament to how well written and soulfully played this song is that even without the original string and horn arrangements this song can grab your attention with it's raw funkiness and emotional impact!

I'm dancing in my chair! Love this! You don't hear music like this anymore! Awesome!

this is soooo fantantastic

Mayfield is amazing...the Superfly album is pure gold

beutyful song and excellent audio quality for 1973! great musicians

...Her heart was filled with laughter when she saw those city lights...she said "The prettiest place on earth is Baltimore at night!''

You dropped Heavy Science on us with THIS Classic Here !!....live in Studio On TOP of THAT !..You should get an award for bringing this to the People !..Lord Knows I love me some Curtis Mayfield . Thank You for Posting This.

This is great music! Curtis truly was a genius.

This session was tight, heartfelt, and real.

Man, that's such a pity that he's dead now and that he's not so known by the majority. A master. R.I.P and cheers from Brazil.

Freddie may be dead, but this song lives on!

I am 33 years old and wasnt even born when this came out,,,my music scene was early 90's pearl jam,nirvana, pixies, 2pac,bone thugs,tribe called quest,,and so on.....but let me tell you if i came up in the early 70s this would have been all i would have listened to.....along with csn y, and the who

Wow back in the late 60's, when that movie came out!. I was there at the L.T. in D.C.. Shucks Super Fly!. Smile!. Oh I forgot, the making!.Close smile!. Take care.

June 3: Happy birthday Mr Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999) Blessings

Beautiful, he's so effortless on the guitar, pure quality.

i'd love to have this version on vinyl.

4:22 "Why can't be brothers, protect one another. No one serious and it make me furious" He ain't lying... Preach brother!!! R.I.P. Curtis Mayfield

No body but a Brother had the Soul to do this song.. Noobody..............

great song..about a society that 30 years later hasn't learned yet..

100% agree with Kinetic Leather, makes me weep when I hear what passes for soul or r'n' b these days.

Omg that intro was on point! #ColdPiece ☺👍💯

to those who are struggling with drug

Oh my God I have been listening to this freaking song for 50 years

Who could possibly not appreciate this stuff?

This is the actual recording...My ench Jonathan (Jon) French on Drums...He just posted a 3 minute solo....the band "Cool Front" Madison Wisconsin....don't miss the great solo

Classic...Love it..