Memphis Soul Stew

"Memphis Soul Stew"
Single by King Curtis
from the album King Size Soul
B-side	"Blue Nocturne"
Released	1967
Recorded	1967
Genre	Instrumental rock soul
Length	2:55
Label	Atco
Songwriter	King Curtis
Producer	Tommy Cogbill
King Curtis singles chronology
"Jump Back" (1967) "Memphis Soul Stew" (1967) "Ode to Billie Joe" (1967)

"Memphis Soul Stew" is a song by American saxophonist and bandleader King Curtis.

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]

References

1. The History of R&B and Soul Music. Lucent. 2013. p. 52. ISBN   978-1-420-511338.
2. Memphis Soul Stew (Media notes). ATCO. 1967. 45-6511.
3. "The Hot 100 : September 16, 1967". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2021-08-14. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
4. "Old music: King Curtis – Memphis Soul Stew". The Guardian. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
5. "Desert Island Discs - Bill Bailey". BBC Radio 4. 13 June 2008. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
6. "Michael Lington interview by Jonathan Widran". Jazz Monthly. 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2021.