Artist:King Curtis
Song:Memphis Soul Stew
Album:Live At Fillmore West
Sax player King Curtis recorded his own music occasionally but was mostly known as a session musician. He was born Curtis Ousley Feb. 7, 1934 in Fort Worth, TX. He began a long association with Atlantic Records playing on Coasters records in 1958. He recorded for various labels in the early 60s but returned to Atlantic in 1965. He continued to record solo records for Atlantic but also became more active in contracting studio musicians in 1967, usually for Jerry Wexler. Then he started backing up Aretha Franklin on tour. And he usually opened for her too. That's what Live At Fillmore West is about. Rhino rereleased it on 2CDs in 2006. It's King Curtis on sax, Cornell Dupree on guitar, Billy Preston on organ, Truman Thomas on piano, Jerry Jemmott on bass and Bernard Purdie on drums and The Memphis Horns. They play originals like Memphis Soul Stew and also put a funky spin on songs like A Whiter Shade Of Pale. It's an excellent companion for Aretha Franklin's Live At Fillmore West 4CD box set. Sadly, King Curtis was murdered in New York City on Aug. 14, 1971 at age 37. But here is King Curtis & The Kingpins performing Memphis Soul Stew at the 1971 Montreux Jazz Festival about a week before his murder.
No comments:
Post a Comment