"Memphis Soul Stew" (live) King Curtis & The Kingpins 

I'm 41, thanks to my dad I grew up with great music. I made my husband promise to play that song on my funeral. Unusual for Bavaria😅

Anyone who came here in a bad mood and left that way needs to check themselves for a pulse. The bass groove, the fantastic drums by Perdie, and King Curtis's infectious smile. The whole band is amazing.

Jemmott, Purdie, Dupree, legendary R&B/Soul musicians...c'mon son! I love the MGs, but they were never this funky.

I'm turning my 35 year old nephew to this jam today.. He was amazed. We need to teach our younger generation about where we came from.

All musicians should listen to this lesson on how to groove ! Genius !

That is some serious killer bass.

It might interest you to know this was the original Rhythm & Blues "Sax" sound. If you listen to Old Coaster's (Charlie Brown and Yakety Yak, Don't talk Back) from 1957, you're listening to King Curtis. He was the original sound behind R&R, playing with people like Buddy Holly. Wiki does a good cover of him. Before guitars were loud enough to play in bands and be heard, it was the sax that performed the solos. King Curtis set the standard for Pop music Saxaphones.

The quality might be a little less considered to today's standard. But I'm a old school cat, so I'm used to listening to poor quality tapes. What counts is the quality of the music itself and the vibe that comes off it. And that makes up a 1000% for the quality. The positive vibe of King Curtis in this recording. This is how music was back in the day. Real performers and musicians. It's pure nostalgia to me.

I wish music like this could be popular nowadays...

What a true gent - He names every member of the band - A FANTASTIC soul classic.

Jerry Jemmott is killing it on the bass. Forget his start, He is in the pocket with Bernard Purdy

its hard to find anything more funky than this right here. damn. and i love how bernard purdie plays drums. damn.

Amazing band: Jerry Jemmott - bass Bernard Purdie - drums Cornell Dupree - guitar Truman Thomas - organ Warren Smith - tambourine King Curtis - saxophone

Let's not forget King Curtis August 13th when he passed away the sad thing is if it wasn't for some prick out there he could have still been playing music tearing it up I love this man

King Curtis was a legend. an accomplished jazz musician. Inspired by the likes of Lester Yuung, Illinois Jacquet and Gene Ammons, he played with jazz greats Lionel Hampton, Wynton Kelly and Cannonball"s brother, Nat Adderly. He was an innovator in the school of rock and roll/funky sax playing and paved the way for cats like Junior Walker and Maceo Parker. In the late 50's, early 60's he made the move to rock and roll and the rest is history with classics like Memphis Soul Stew and Soul Serenade.

Damn I was born 3 decades too late to enjoy this kind of music. Everyone is school is into rubbish rap, I'm the only guy who loves northern soul, motown etc (just like my dad)

Jerry Jemmott...amazing bass player...legend!

"The only band that could make Booker T & The MG's sweat." - You got that right! When I heard this song for the first time I thought it *was* the MG's backing him, because they were just so tight. Legends, every one of them!

the most delicious Stew ever prepared, Bon Appétit

DiG ThAT BASS - AnD ThE HaMMoND -- PURE FUNK

Straight fire 🔥. Love how he’s playing the guitar at 2:18. Also love to see so many white and black people together.

I love Jerry Jemmott's bass playing. I have the Jaco Pastorious Modern Electric Bass instructional video which he produced and conducted the interview. Jerry is so modest and seems in awe of Jaco despite the fact that Jaco sites him as a major influence. He is truly a great person as well as one of the greatest ever.

Oooooooooooh...I remember this from back in the day!!! I hadn't heard this one for a LOOOONG time! I had just seen an Amazon commercial, and while I listened to the background music, I hollered, "MEMPHIS SOUL STEW!!!" It's nice to know that somebody recognizes those good old jams from yesterday. I hope you don't mind me giving myself a pat on the back because it's been 30+ years since I heard this one, and since I recognized it after not hearing it for so long, I guess I'm not growing senile (I'm 60+)...😜

King Curtis. Perhaps the greatest sax man in all of rock and roll history!

how cool is the bass palyer! super tnt cool thats what.

I really enjoy that as the musicians were introduced they were GROOVY, not flashy. Such a massive difference and such a magnificently tasty difference!!

Long live the king (of the sax) RIP Curtis Ousley.

how did 22 people not like this?

Purdie and the bass player work that groove to the max

This is what I call real music...I wish I had a time machine to go back to that era and listen to this type of music as an adult..

Great band, great sound, great song, great leader. Curtis was one of the best gunslingers on tenor. He's HOT.

the legendary Bernard Purdie on drums.....

Feb.7th: Happy birthday Soul-R&B-Jazz-Funk Saxophonist Curtis Montgomery / King Curtis (1934-1971) Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy Award: Best Instrumental Performance ("Games People Play" with Duane Allman) Thank you and God bless. RIP. Thanks for the upload, Cuthbert J. Twillie. Blessings

This is one of my all time favorite music numbers. When I share this with friends they instantly love it. How is it posible this was never never a wordwide hit!

I loved this back in the day. Gave "tighten Up" a run for it's money. So cool

RIP Cornell!!!! One of the greatest ever!

this is pretty much my bestest favourite song ever. cannot get enough

Not only is this great, it was also sampled for one of the greatest gangsta rap tracks of all time: the Geto Boys' 'Trigga Happy Nigga'.

BEST OF THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE KING

In very loving memory of Mr. Curtis Ousley (1934-1971 R.I.P. // gone but NOT forgotten).

Goodness-FREAKIN'!!!-Gracious...🤩.... We love you, maaaaaaaaan!!! Rock in peace.💙🤟🏻🙏🤗💚

Jerry Jemmott on bass and the great drummer/percussionist/marimba player Warren Smith on tambourine here. Thanks for this post!!!!!

These cats are the best.

Amazing group of monster musicians.

What Cornell Dupree does on guitar is unbelievably amazing.

Lord have mercy!, where are these kind of talented musicians today! These guys spent hour in their garage or basement each day practicing their craft. The so called entertainers today just buy a mixer and talk a bunch of you no what!! No lyrics just talking shit!!! Come back talented musicians we need you!!

I bought this album in about 1966/67, when I was in high school. This was probably the best, most absolutely rocking song I'd ever heard when I heard this. I liked Junior Walker and the Allstars, and I won't take anything away from him, but this song and King Curtis' sax are as fabulous now as they were 45 years ago. This arrangement is ON FIRE and really KICKS IT UP!

King Curtis was another genius struck down in his prime.

Magnificent band. These guys are in at the birth of funk for sure. Awesome players all.

Cornell: @ 2:06: Does it GET any more "Dial 911" than that FUNK-TURE wound of a chord he inflicts w/4 quick stabs? AFTER that sweet "bawlin'" Memphis guitar! Hail the immortal Monsieur Dupree!! What a badass BAND! At EVERY position! ...Thanks for your time! 👍🏻

When that sax breaks out and they all change key the whole thing soars into the skies ...it's too funky!

they r all top notch musicians playing with the greatest saxophone player in my lifetime

I love RU-vid for stuff like this. Great posting, thank you!

I've watched this vid so many times, and i never get tired of the drummer at 1:23. His face says it all: he is just sooo into it.

Jesus. The only way you could add to these stunning musicians is by having Jackie Wilson onstage with them - it doesn't get any better than these guys!

I cry when i see humility

I do! I feel it in my fingers and my toes ... oh man!👌👍👊💞

Not only that, but Bernard Purdie worked as Aretha's musical director for several years. When King Curtis was opening for Aretha Franklin in 1970/71 (?) King Curtis and his band played their own set, then went on to play for Aretha. Damn straight the funk starts here! :D

Memphis Soul Sounds

Just saw Bernard Purdie last saturday night....May 12th...Hung out and talked drums.....nice guy and funky as &^%$#!!!!!!!! This is the band that became Aretha Franklins back-up band-------Jerry Jermott,Cornell Dupree,and Bernard ''Pretty'' Purdie........The funk starts here!!!

If you listen to this and are still in a bad mood, you need to seek professional help. Jerry Jemmott just grooves!

PRETTY ! PURDIE ! the king of groove ! I LOVE !

true groove masters. love jerry's bass

Searching over 2 years for that song of my childhood when the benjamine sister loved that song...Good memories ! Thank you for downloading the song.

we could all use a pound of fatback drums

that sax literally drives me crazy!!! the tone he produces on those long high notes??? insane!!! thanks for sharing this great performance! :)

Thank you! *Curtis Ousley aka King Curtis - February 7, 1934 - August 13, 1971* - Shared Feb 7, 2019

wicked bassline and tight drums and funky guitar,and god curtis!!

"Almost forgot my horn." Love it.

Great band, the cream of soul players. I feel like I should be wearing my dashiki as I listen to this. :) The King was a pal of Buddy Holly and recorded on Waylon Jennings early demos. Look it up. Wide-ranging musician. As Linc from Mod Squad would say : "Solid!"

This song is bananas. Love it, and great rendition.

Proud to call him a friend.....Great human being.Pretty Purdie

The Soul of Sax - thanks to the wholy ghost for blessing this guy !!!

The best Stew ever tasted folks......... Just pure magic.... The healthiest sound ever of the sublime bass.....together with some truly unique ingredients..... Just brilliant......

I remember seeing King Curtis with this exact band in 1969 or 70. They were playing at LeCoq d’or in Toronto where Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks ( The Band) did one or two week stays. One of the local newspapers had an article about Cornell Dupre being the guy who replaced Jimmy James( aka Jimi Hendrix). The whole band was fabulous. Cornell Dupre made us forget Jimi pretty quickly. Can’t say that I remember Bernard Purdie, but all these great bands had top notch drummers and bass players.

that is one cool bass player

Wonderful bass playing

This is Totaly AMAZING! Dancing to this can leave you permanently two feet above the ground

Jerry Jemmot is a killer bassist. He and Tommy Cogbill were 2 of Jaco Pastorious' influences

Hard to believe he backed Buddy Holly and Waylon Jennings in Sonny Curtis@s Recording Studio Clovis New mEXICO in Dec 1958 RIP King and Thanks

Ha! I have Been listening to this song since I first heard it in 1997, and now I can finally put my mental image to video reality, Fantastic!

The Blonde guy with the pinkish shirt enthusiastically clapping. Center of the screen.

In recent years Jerry has been touring quite a bit with Gregg Allman & Friends as Gregg's regular bassist. They're old friends going back to the era of this video when brother Duane played on many sessions with Curtis.

un grand bassiste

woulda been an Honor to be in that audience

thanks a ton for posting this, never actually got to see these guys!

Since centuries it`s in my Head..... just now i found it.... it`s fantastic !

@littlejack2233 ......'cos they all knew that none could out cool this guy........ what a player , completely fantastic , plays like a genius yet never hogs limelight , I am so glad I found this clip !

King left us way too soon. Tragic.

@Ariamaluum The drummer, Bernard Purdie is the most recorded drummer in music history and has also recorded with Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, Jeff Beck and James Brown. There are frequent debates that Bernard secretly sat in on a Beatles recording sessions as well.

Ya Gotta Love it! King Curtis was sadly cut down pretty early in his career and to thi sday deserves more credit for his contributions to rock and soul with songs like this and "Soul Serenade." Many a a sax player later soundded so much like him or tried to!. RIP

word this is why i love memphis the city has always been full of soul and talent

The golden age of soul, for that matter music in general (50's and 60's) is sadly in the past, but luckely we can re-live and enjoy it through these wonderful recordings. They don't make it like they used to!!!!

Memphis rockin Guitar, Memphis Soul beat on drums & Sax, funk roots on bass... One of the best root songs ever!

Amazing! Now, this is a history!!

that bass solo is somethin else

I was watching King Curtis on the Champion Jack Dupree "Junker's Blues" is how I got here. This is perfect and all about it.

Genius.

Thats how U make MUSIC !!!!!!

Quality every time i watch it!