| "Memphis Soul Stew" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by King Curtis | ||||
| from the album King Size Soul | ||||
| B-side | "Blue Nocturne" | |||
| Released | 1967 | |||
| Recorded | 1967 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:55 | |||
| Label | Atco | |||
| Songwriter(s) | King Curtis | |||
| Producer(s) | Tommy Cogbill | |||
| King Curtis singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Memphis Soul Stew" is a song by American saxophonist and bandleader King Curtis (1934–1971).
The track is a narrative that describes the Memphis Soul sound in terms of a cooking recipe, with each instrument introduced by Curtis. This includes "fatback drums", "a pinch of organ" and "a half-pint of horns".[1]
Curtis' original version, recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, was released as a single on Atco Records in 1967, and became a top 50 hit.[2][3] A live version, recorded at the Fillmore West in 1971, shortly before Curtis' death, was released on his live album Live at Fillmore West.[4]
In 2008, Bill Bailey chose the song to appear on Desert Island Discs.[5]
Jazz saxophonist Michael Lington covered the track on his 2014 album Soul Appeal.[6]
- ^ The History of R&B and Soul Music. Lucent. 2013. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-420-511338.
- ^ Memphis Soul Stew (Media notes). ATCO. 1967. 45-6511.
- ^ "The Hot 100 : September 16, 1967". Billboard. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "Old music: King Curtis – Memphis Soul Stew". The Guardian. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "Desert Island Discs - Bill Bailey". BBC Radio 4. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "Michael Lington interview by Jonathan Widran". Jazz Monthly. 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2021.