People Get Ready
🎵 Genre: R&B | 🎤 Recording: Live
The Mayfield Chop in Full Bloom: A Masterclass in Rhythmic Soul Guitar
The performance of “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield, originally recorded with The Impressions, is a monumental piece of R&B and soul history. It transcends its origins to become a timeless anthem of hope and determination. This live video captures Mayfield in his solo career prime, presenting the song with a tender yet profound conviction that showcases his unique voice and foundational role in the genre.
The arrangement beautifully highlights the delicate power of his rhythmic guitar work, which provides the intricate, uplifting foundation for the track’s deep spiritual and social commentary. The defining element is Curtis Mayfield’s signature “Mayfield Chop” technique. Utilizing his unique “Black Key Tuning” (F♯–A♯–C♯–F♯–A♯–F♯) and a precise, highly syncopated finger-style approach, he crafts a shimmering, dense rhythmic texture that sounds like multiple instruments.
This mastery of rhythm elevated the guitar from a supporting role to a lead component. This style would deeply influence later funk and R&B guitarists, including masters like Jimmy Nolen. His innovative playing is the rhythmic spine for his entire catalog, from early Impressions tracks like “It’s All Right” to later landmark solo efforts.
This rhythmic sophistication is crucial to his catalog. It allowed him to maintain a distinctive and sophisticated sound even while transitioning between the lush vocal harmony of The Impressions and the harder funk grooves of his solo work, such as “Pusherman.” This live video captures the technique’s expressive, spiritual power in its purest form.
Recording Details
| Song Title | People Get Ready |
|---|---|
| Guitarist | Curtis Mayfield |
| Band | Curtis Mayfield's Solo Touring Band |
| Lineup | Curtis Mayfield (vocals, guitar), Buzz Amato (keyboards), Randy Keith Brown (bass), Louis Stefanell (percussion), Lee Goodness (drums) |
| Event | Ohne Filter extra (German TV Broadcast) |
| Location | Baden-Baden, Germany |
| Date | November 19, 1990 |
💬 What defines this enduring anthem?
“People Get Ready” is a monumental piece of soul. Which element delivers the most impact in this performance: Mayfield’s deeply spiritual conviction in his vocal delivery, or the intricate, uplifting rhythmic foundation provided by his unmistakable “Mayfield Chop” guitar technique? Drop your thoughts below and join the conversation.