| Memphis Soul Stew | |
| Border: | yes |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | King Curtis |
| Album: | King Size Soul |
| B-Side: | Blue Nocturne |
| Released: | 1967 |
| Recorded: | 1967 |
| Label: | Atco |
| Producer: | Tommy Cogbill |
| Prev Title: | Jump Back |
| Prev Year: | 1967 |
| Next Title: | Ode to Billie Joe |
| Next Year: | 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]