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Mayfield
by (Performer: Curt Smith)
by Mayfield
Product Group: Music
Studio: Zerodisc Records
ISBN: B000003QEV
EAN: 0714343904221
UPC: 714343904221
Audio CD
Original Release Date: 1998-01-20
Release Date: 1998-02-17
SKU: 08050052
Condition: Very Good Very Good
Comments: Audio CD in very good condition with few light scratches. Very nice jewel case with like new art and labels.
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Customer Reviews
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Curt Smith's Magnum Opus...
Rating  (5)
Date: 2006-10-02
...at least, it is to this point in his accomplished if sporadic career. His work with TFF (and even its precursor, Graduate) gave us a ton of great tunes by which he'll be remembered and respected, but without this album we'd forever be wondering: Was TFF all Roland Orzabal? And if it wasn't, what did Curt bring to TFF? Mayfield answers these questions and even introduces some new ones (like making one wonder only half-jokingly: What, if anything, was *Roland's* contribution?).
This is the third time I've been compelled to review an album on Amazon, and each time it's been because the album made my "CDs for being stranded on a desert island" list after the first listen. There are ten cuts on Mayfield, and each represents a singular extraordinary achievement. Each stands on its own as a little artistic gem, containing a breadth and musical richness that I can't anticipate ever tiring from.
On first spin I was blown away by how melodic Mayfield is. TFF was (and is) melodic to be sure, but here it becomes clear that Smith's melodies aren't "hooks" so much as musical constructs. They are big, beautiful melodies that tie together Mayfield's many rich elements. "Sorry Town" is a nice example of Smith's arpeggiate use of his full vocal range.
But get this: If the melody tracks were erased from each song, this would *still* be a great album because the composition and musicianship is so wonderful. Smith and cohort understand what songs are supposed to do, which is go somewhere, and these go everywhere (even getting a little funky in "Mother England"), the beauty being that they always get to where they're going. The music is rich, passionate and, well, huge. ("I don't want to be around" builds from a quiet dream into a crescendo that is absolutely enormous. Twice.)
But what *really* floored me was the depth of Mayfield's lyrics. It's always rare to find a wordsmith with the capacity for expressing meaning while shaping language to the nuances of a particular song. When it's done badly one often feels embarrassed for the artist, but when it's done well it evokes "whoas" and "jeeperses" and "jiminy rat turds." I found myself saying all of these things and more, including "egad" and "mmm...devilishly good." In these lyrics - combined with the immensity of the music - Mayfield represents a perfect fusion of passion and craftsmanship.
Finally, there's some intangible quality binding this album together that I can only describe as "balls." It has balls. So if you were wondering where the balls were in "Elemental," now you know.
I cannot recommend this album any higher. It's a treasure.
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Listen
Rating  (4)
Date: 2005-12-06
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This was Curt Smith's one-and-done side project in between Tears For Fears' breakup and reunion, and it won't disappoint those who have enjoyed his work in TFF. Released in 1997, Mayfield's only outing bears a striking similarity to TFF, in fact, in part because of Smith's vocals but also in terms of the sound. The highlights for me are "Jasmine's Taste" and "I Don't Want to Be Around," both of which build to epic majesty in the chorus. It might have been nothing more than a way for Smith to keep his chops in form while waiting for a phone call from Roland Orzabal, but Mayfield is actually quite preferable to "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending," TFF's uneven and disappointing 2004 return. Pity this is in the "Shame It's Out-of-Print" File.
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Curt IS Mayfield Bringing a Unique Personal Touch
Rating (4)
Date: 2004-05-28
6 out of 6 customers found this reveiw helpful
Mayfield is the name of the band formed by Tears For Fears lead singer Curt Smith. The result is an album which showcases Smith's talent as a songwriter and producer as well as bringing a more personal touch than any other album he has been a part of during his career. This album really came out in an "underground" fashion. It was actually recorded back in 1996. Curt Smith formed his own label "Zerodisc" and the album was sold online in 1997. It wasn't until 1998 when the album hit stores. No big name record company or distribution.The name Mayfield is a play on Curtis Mayfield's name (i.e. Curt[Smith] is Mayfield). Curt Smith had split from his partner Roland Orzabal back in 1990 and the two went their separate ways. Roland kept the Tears For Fears name and continued to record using that name. Curt put out a solo album called "Soul on Board" which he wasn't very happy with. Curt and Roland would eventually reunite back for 2004 release "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending". Curt's main partner in Mayfield is guitarist Charlton Pettus who is also the album's co-producer. When Curt and Roland would reunite, Curt would also bring Pettus along. Other band members include Russ Irwin - Keyboards/vocals, Doug Petty - Keyboards, Shawn Pelton - Drums, and of course Curt Smith on Bass. The album follows the direction that Tears For Fears took with "The Seeds of Love" album. On this album Tears For Fears moved away from the synthesizers to a more "natural" sound. The "personal touch" to this album is very evident in three songs. "Mother England" is the best song on this album. Curt emigrated from his birthplace in Bath, England and now lives in the United States. This song really documents and justifies Curt's emigration. He doesn't knock his home country when he sings "I Don't Believe in Mother England", he says "I don't believe in imaginary lines (borders).... In the End its a solitary world". This song really captures the power of Curt's voice while Charlton and Russ really provide some great background vocals ("I don't believe in Mother") in almost a mantra fashion. The mantra fashion was always a favorite of mine in Tears For Fears so it's evident that Curt played a role contributing to it back in his Tears For Fears days. "Sun King" is possibly the most personal song on the album. When Curt and Roland split up, Roland would continue to record under the Tears For Fears name. On the album, "Elemental" (first album since the breakup), Roland wrote a song called "Fish Out of Water" which referred to Curt Smith. In that song Roland wrote "You always said you were the compassionate one, but now you're laughing at the Sun. With all your high class friends you think you got it made. The only thing that was made was that tanned look on your face.." . "Sun King" is a response back to "Fish Out of Water" (referring to Roland referring to himself as the 'Sun'). In Sun King Curt says "Solitude was your only choice, Bitterness your only voice". Clearly - some harsh words - makes for a good soap opera as well as good music. The good news is that the two put the bitterness behind them and reunited for the album (ironically titled) "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending". Another personal song is the opening track called "What are we Fighting For" - perhaps again another reference to his Tears For Fears days. This album gives Curt ample opportunity to shine with his vocals and songwriting - "Sorry Town", "Snow Hill" "I Don't Wanna Be Around", and "Jasmine's Taste" are good songs that are also catchy. The song "Reach Out" as a great acoustic rhythm that shows how Curt has moved to the "natural" sound. This is a very good album. The personal touches really help this album stand out. And it proves you don't need the big record company and the big name studio musicians to deliver a winning formula. Curt Smith really found his niche with Mayfield and the result is superb! This is an album you might have to listen to several times, but it will grow on you and stand on its own. Highly recommended.
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The songs all sound alike
Rating  (2)
Date: 2004-05-21
2 out of 8 customers found this reveiw helpful
I've been a huge fan of TFF since The Hurting. I expected to hear at least some of the variety of hallmark sounds and rhythms they made carry over into this CD, being that it bears the name of one-half of the creative talent. I was sadly disappointed. The same guitar sound and beat (when there is one) is found song after song, with no variety and seemingly very little artistic "recklessness" so characteristic of Mr. Mayfield's previous endeavors with TFF. I've got nothing against acoustic/electric guitar music, but I would have preferred to spend the money on a "single" and listen to it over and over again.
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A hidden gem
Rating (5)
Date: 2004-04-17
4 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
Those who are curious about the evolution of TFF's sound in the time between Seeds of Love (1989) and Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (2004) should pick this one up - you'll not be disappointed. Mayfield was formed in the mid-1990s by Curt Smith and Charlton Pettus, his songwriting partner (who later remained so on ELAHE with Curt and Roland Orzabal); the music is generally more mellow and organic compared to earlier TFF, but with the same rich sound, profound, introspective lyrics, and of course the voice you remember from songs like Mad World, Pale Shelter and Everybody Wants to Rule the World. "Fighting" and "Reach Out" were the singles and are the most radio-friendly tunes, though "Fighting" is much more complex than most pop radio, and grows on you over time; "Sorry Town" has a harder edge, reminding me of Radiohead and other mid-90s rock bands. My personal favorites are the three slower, beautiful songs on the back half - "Mother England", "Snow Hill", and "I Don't Want To Be Around". To me, these latter two are somewhat reminiscent of "I Believe" off Songs From the Big Chair, only more distinctive and more memorable - in the ballads, Curt's voice somehow transcends the music and gets across the same kind of profound emotional longing that was evident on The Hurting and Songs from the Big Chair.
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