Customer Reviews

Live at Fillmore West

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

King Curtis and The King-Pins came into the famed Filmore West in 1968 to provide backup for Aretha Franklin. At this time in his career, he was branching out as a producer and music arranger for Freddie King, Aretha and others. It was a last minute cancelation that brought Curtis and his formitable band onto the concert stage for this legendary performance. As Otis Redding had done in Monterey, Curtis seduced the largely white hippie audience and won them over.

The set largely consists of soul staples the band had honed and perfected while on the chitlin circuit; Memphis Soul Stew, Soul Serenade, Freddie King's I Stand Accused and Stevie Wonder's big hit Signed Sealed & Delivered I'm Yours. Curtis rounds it out with with contemporary top 40 material such as Procol Harum's Whiter Shade Of Pale, Jeffery Jeff Walker's Mr. Bojangles and Led Zeplin's Whole Lot Of Love. Check out the audience reaction. These kids couldn't get enough of the King.

Unfortunately, this was one of the last recorded appearences by this great alto player with the soulful wail and impecable phrasing. Several months later, he was stabed outside his New York City apartment house. There are several other King Curtis reissues on the market including the long out of print "Live At Small's Paradise". Although throughout his career Curtis turned in consistantly excellent material, this is without a doubt, his most inspired live recording.

This record demonstrates as well as any what happens when you put great, mature, seasoned veteran musicians together on a stage. This may have been King's band and he was certainly the 'icing on the cake' but without Jerry Jemmott, Cornell Dupree, Billy Preston and Bernard Purdie it would never have been the same. As a bass player I stand in awe of Jerry's playing. To hear him play with Bernard Purdie and Cornell Dupree and hear how they push the groove like perhaps no other rhythm section before or since is simply breath taking. I dare some one to listen to 'Memphis Soul Stew' and not get chills when King brings the whole band to a searing boil.

I believe this record should be in everybody's collection. No exception. Why? Because this is as good as it gets.

'Memphis Soul Stew', live..man. When this came out, every rythm section tried copping these riffs, and they're -still- trying. This opening track is quite likely the greatest live instrumental recording ever.

My father bought me this album as an Eight-track tape back in 1976 (I played tenor sax) and I fell in love with it. I've looked for the album many times over the years but couldn't find it. Finally I've got it!! This live cut is gutsy, tight, driving, and goosebump-inducing. I disagree with the reviews that take a backhanded swipe at "Whole Lotta Love"...listen to it! The group does a great job with it.

This is the companion-opening set to Aretha's"Live @the Filmore West". Notice that the King's band is her backup for that date. So glad this is FINALLY released on CD! A fundamental primer for cookin' funk-Maceo Parker fans would love this! Cook up the classic 'Memphis Soul Stew'!Enjoy!

King Curtis was the greatest R&B sax man there ever will be, and this live album gives you an invaluble insight into one of his great shows. 'Whole Lotta Love' is not exceptional for Curtis, but the big band arrangement behind it is incredible. Also, from a sax player's perspective, Curtis's experimentation with wa-wa and Varitone on the alto and tenor saxes is well worth hearing and studying. For those of us who never saw him live, this is a treat - you really get the live show feel.

I've died and gone to heaven. This is what a band should be. This one extraordinary rhythm section. Cornell Dupree, Jerry Jemmott and Bernard Purdy would be worth the price of the CD all by themselves. Add to the mix, Billy Preston and the Memphis horns and you've got something really special going on.

The opening cut, 'Memphis Stew' is a classic. You can feel the excitement grow as King Curtis introduces the band and begins to put together the most amazing musical stew you've ever heard. At first the stew simmers and then comes to a full boil. These guys are amazing! I wish I could've been there.

If you like your sax hot and warm , then this is for you. King Curtis knows how to blow the cobwebs away. The band are so tight. "Memphis Soul Stew" has a really hip-scratching bassline."Whiter Shade of Pale" just floats you away. If you like your music with feeling ... then buy this ... you wont be dissapointed.

You do not want bull & I will not give you bull. This album is awesome. King Curtis alone is worth the price of admission. If you want a "total" piece, get the Aretha Franklin "Live at the Fillmore" album, it has King Curtis as well as the other performers. Both together will ensure you an ambient experience.

I've been looking for the cd release of this session since my LP melted 15 years ago. I could never understand why Atlantic would not re-release this album. King Curtis plays here on a live date at the Fillmore with one of the greatest rhythm and horn sections ever assembled. This was his last recording ... and his clear, soulful and soring lines sound as good and fresh now as ever.