Memphis Soul Stew

"Memphis Soul Stew"
Single by King Curtis
from the album King Size Soul
B-side"Blue Nocturne"
Released1967
Recorded1967
Genre
Length2:55
LabelAtco
Songwriter(s)King Curtis
Producer(s)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 (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]

  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. 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. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Michael Lington interview by Jonathan Widran". Jazz Monthly. 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2021.