Before Super Fly: Joseph “Lucky” Scott Lays It Down With Curtis Mayfield in 1972
The official Beat Club channel has shared gem from the archives featuring Curtis Mayfield performing in Bremen, Germany on January 19, 1972.
The performance is a medley of Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” and Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” two songs that had been released the previous year. Mayfield and the band completely make them their own.
Our attention immediately went to Joseph “Lucky” Scott. Playing a Fender Jazz Bass, Scott is absolutely ripping throughout this performance. His lines are melodic and percussive and his time feel is incredible. He is completely locked in with drummer Tyrone McCullen and percussionist “Master” Henry Gibson.
Scott was Mayfield’s bassist and musical director and had already appeared on the incredible Curtis/Live! album. This Beat Club session came just months before the release of Super Fly, another landmark recording featuring Scott’s unmistakable bass work.
What a band. And what a bass player.
No Treble CEO Jody Miller is a Chicago-based bassist, guitarist, engineer, and producer best known for his bass gear demo videos and as the co-host of The Bass Nerds podcast.
