Let's Talk about King Curtis

Bob M · 10-02-2003, 02:37 AM

Blow Man, Blow, the Bear Family boxed set arrived in today's mail and I haven't stopped listening. In the booklet that comes with the set, Lenny Picket is quoted as describing King Curtis as "one of the most imitated sax players of our day". Considering the fact that what King played was always just right for the situation, its no wonder he remains so inspirational more than 30-years after his death.

I was not fortunate enough to see King Curtis live and would love to hear from those who did. Also, has anyone put together a definitive King Curtis discography?

**John Laughter** · 10-02-2003, 12:07 PM

Bob, here is a little history to get you started;

King Curtis is one of the best rock & roll musicians of all time. His specialty was the tenor sax. He was born Curtis Ousley in 1934 in Fort Worth, Texas, took up sax at the age of twelve, and began working in his home town in the 1940s. After graduating from high school in 1950, he began working with Lionel Hampton and moved to New York in 1953 to study harmony, counterpoint, and theory. In New York he had the opportunity to work with a variety of musicians in pop, soul, and jazz.

Curtis was naturally talented and could have pursued a career in jazz but decided that he would rather make money, so he used his talents in rock ‘n’ roll. With a strong work ethic and his talent, he stayed busy doing recording sessions, touring, and performing in many Harlem nightclubs.
After doing some session work Curtis struck out on his own, first as King Curtis and The Noble Knights and later as The Kingpins. He put three songs in the Top 40 in the 1960s, but all were instrumentals at a time when instrumentals were not popular with the record-buying public. Interesting note: when you hear Sam Cooke say “Play that one called Soul Twist” in his 1962 hit “Having A Party,” he is referring to the King Curtis song! He had fifteen Top 100 songs from 1962 to 1971. King Curtis was very much in demand as a sax player by nearly every musician in the business. One of his memorable sax solos can be heard on the Coasters’ “Yakety Yak.”

The list of people that Curtis worked for in the early days of rock ‘n’ roll is long and includes: Lional Hampton, Buck Clayton, Nat King Cole, Joe Turner, The McGuire Sisters, Andy Williams, Chuck Willis, The Coasters, Buddy Holly, LaVern Baker, Bobby Darin, Brook Benton, Neil Sedaka, The Drifters, Sam Cooke, The Isley Brothers, Solomon Burke, The Shirelles, Nina Simone, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Mann, Wilson Pickett, Duane Allmann, Eric Clapton, and John Johnson.

In 1967 Curtis had a hit with “Memphis Soul Stew,” and as a performer, he could fill a house. He continued to do session work backing Aretha Franklin and Soloman Burke. He also appeared at the famous Fillmore West with his band playing Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” which brought the house down.

The music world lost one of its top musicians when King Curtis was murdered in New York City on August 13, 1971. Curtis was carrying a window air-conditioning unit home to his apartment one night. There were several drug addicts on the entrance into the apartment. He asked them to move and an altercation followed in which King Curtis was stabbed to death. He is buried at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, Long Island, New York.

Discography:

1959 The Good Old Fifties—Atco
1959 Have Tenor Will Blow—Atco
1960 King Soul—Prestige
1960 Soul Meeting—Prestige
1961 Party Time—Tru
1961 Old Gold—Tru
1962 Doin' the Dixie Twist—Tru
1962 Country Soul—Capitol
1964 Soul Serenade—Capitol
1965 Plays Hits Made by Sam Cooke
1966 That Lovin' Feelin'—Atco
1966 Live at Smalls Paradise—Atco
1967 Plays Great Memphis Hits—Atco
1967 King Size Soul—Atco
1968 Sweet Soul—Atco
1970 Everybody's Talkin'—Atco
1970 Get Ready—Atco
1971 Live at Fillmore West—Atco
1971 Blues at Montreux [live]—Atlantic
1972 Mr. Soul—Ember
1972 Soul Time—Up Front
1985 Live in New York—JSP
1995 Night Train—Prestige
It's Party Time—Ace
King Curtis & The Kingpins—Atco

From "The History of Top 40 Saxophone Solos-1955-2003"

Ray · 10-22-2003, 01:53 AM

Does anyone know if the tenor player on the Chuck Willis songs "What Am I Living For" and "Hang Up My Rock & Roll Shoes" is King Curtis? Sure sounds like him.
Just went to Barnes and Noble and listened to all the King Curtis cds they had......loved them! I'm gonna have to start play more blues and R&R!
I hear a lot of King Curtis influences in Gene Ammons' bluesy stuff, he's one of my favorite tenor men.

**John Laughter** · 10-22-2003, 11:07 AM

Ray, according to some research (1958-1967);

#24- HANG UP MY ROCK AND ROLL SHOES-
CHUCK WILLIS- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#4- THE STROLL-DIAMONDS- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#24- THIS LITTLE GIRL’S GONE ROCKIN’-RUTH BROWN- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#9- WHAT AM I LIVING FOR-CHUCK WILLIS- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#1- YAKETY YAK-COASTERS- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#9- ALONG CAME JONES-COASTERS- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#2- CHARLIE BROWN-COASTERS- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#6- I CRIED A TEAR-LAVERN BAKER- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#23- LITTLE EGYPT (YING YANG)-COASTERS- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#1- TOSSIN’ AND TURNIN’-BOBBY LEWIS- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#1- PEPPERMINT TWIST-JOEY DEE & THE STARLIGHTERS
JOEY DEE & THE STARLIGHTERS (per Joey Dee) JEROME RICHARDSON- BARITONE & KING CURTIS- TENOR (this has been questioned by a very knowledgable person but it is what Joey recalls)

#17- SOUL TWIST- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#2- I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE-GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#33- MEMPHIS SOUL STEW- KING CURTIS- TENOR

#28- ODE TO BILLY JOE-KINGPINS- KING CURTIS- ALTO

#1- RESPECT-ARETHA FRANKLIN- KING CURTIS - TENOR

However, as with all historical data there is room for error and we are open for corrections/edits and additions 24 hours a day! If you would like a list of Billboard's Top 40 hits that featured sax solos from 1955-2003, drop an email to JSAXL@aol.com

Bill Mecca · 10-22-2003, 08:12 PM

I remember a scene in the movie "Eddie and the Cruisers" the "documentary" part about Eddies life, Bo Diddley talks about jamming with him in "a little town right outside of Newark, Lakehurst, New Jersey " take a look at a map, as someone who lives right up the road from Lakehurst I can tell you for a fact that it's not "right outside of Newark. ;-)

Anyway at this fictional jam were Diddley, Eddie and King Curtis among others. Eddie was upset with his playing and confided in the Tom Berenger character that it was "so easy for those guys, and I find it so difficult" to which Berenger's character Word man, puffs Eddie up telling him that's because it means more to him, that's why he agonizes over very chord change etc.

My point being the only truth in that entire scene was the fact that King Curtis made it look easy.

One more pet peeve I have with a review a number of years ago in Saxophone Journal about the CD "man could he play " the reviewer ( I won't mention names) says something to the effect that when it came to jazz players "Curtis knew he wasn't as good as them." what a load of crap. He chose a different avenue for his art, I would love to see some of the alleged "better than him" players do what KC did. ( I don't get into this "greatest player" stuff anyway)

Another item, Bob Porter's liner notes to Atlantic Honkers says there is a magazine in England dedicated to King Curtis and his music, anyone ever hear of it, confirm that it existed, know if it still does exist?

Ray · 10-23-2003, 02:58 AM

There was one cd I listened to where King was playing some jazz tunes with Nat Adderly and some others I can't remember. The commentary on the cd mentioned that it was one of the only few recorded albums with a more jazz approach. Said that King chose other styles to express his talent/gift through, as Bill mentioned above.I wish I had a tenth of his talent.
Some guys from work and I are gonna try to play some Christmas music for a little get together at work in the 1950's style. Got to get my tenor blowing like King. Flutter tongue is slowly coming.

Bill Mecca · 10-23-2003, 03:08 AM

The New Scene of King Curtis, wtih "Lil Brother" (Nat) on cornet. Some good tunes on that one.

Keep Honkin!

Tim Price · 10-23-2003, 01:26 PM

Most people might not know King Curtis was a very serious player and very,very focused.
When he arrived from Texas to NyC..before he moved he called Garvin Bushell the famous teacher/musician...and set up lessons. Garvins book " Jazz From The Beginning" ,,is a must read.I think there is a pic in there as well.
Every day at 8:30 in the morning!!!! EVERYDAY!!! Monday thru Friday.
That is serious. Garvin Bushell was the reedman with everyone from Fats Waller to later Coltrane and players like King or Illlinois went to him for guidance and study. ( Jacquet studied bassoon w/ Bushell)
King Curtis was a hard worker with a gift and concept.
His ear must of been radar to play in those keys like E , A and D constantly.In addition his sense of harmony was amazing cuz' most of those kind of sessions were "on the spot".
I loved Kings saxello playing.."Soul Sernade" to me was a life long hit for him. Everyone digs that.Plus WHO played alto like him? That darkish fonky soul sound. Yea-Beautiful.
Listen to the "Live At Filmore" Cd...his chops were talkin'.King had a gift and IMHO worked at it.That right there is an inspiration.
I have this record called king Curtis & the Shirells...where he plays a lot of saxello over the vocals....it's like a vitamin shot 8)
I think King could of played with Basie or Woody Herman whoever asked.
The old school guys that knew him in Hamps band said he was an excellent sight reader..I'm not surprized. He was ready for anything.
Playing like that requires more than just lip service..it requires a solid backround in all musics and open minded values. This guy worked hard in the practice room & the results are history.

Bill Mecca · 10-23-2003, 02:34 PM

"Live at Montreaux with Champion Jack Dupree" is an excellent example of being "on the spot." Read the liner notes to that one, Dupree would add measures, subtract measures, and everyone else had to follow. KC plays some killin solos on that one. A good example of the slap tongue technique on the tune Sneaky Pete.

As Tim said many of his sessions wer eon the spot, I read somewhere that he was down the hall recording his own album when he got the call to do the solo on Aretha's Respect, and that's why there is that funky change. Can't remember where I read that, must be gettin old.

Bob M · 10-23-2003, 02:50 PM

Bill, Tim and others - Thanks for getting this going again. I was beginning to doubt the level on interest in KC here.

Bill - I agree about the Live at Montreaux recording as being a excellent example of on the spot composition. What GREAT blues playing (I wonder if there is anything more in Atlantic's vaults

The story about the "Respect" solo is a great one, and a further example of King Curtis as a "consumate professional".

Tim has reported in a number of forums about this man's work ethic. It is legendary.

I had occasion to be at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this past weekend. Although King Curtis was inducted in 2000, they do not seem to have any of his artifacts (e.g. the have Jr. Walker's Yamaha and a Selmer Alto owned by Louis Jordan). Does anyone know what happened to King's saxes etc.?

Bill Mecca · 10-23-2003, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob M

I had occasion to be at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this past weekend. Although King Curtis was inducted in 2000, they do not seem to have any of his artifacts (e.g. the have Jr. Walker's Yamaha and a Selmer Alto owned by Louis Jordan). Does anyone know what happened to King's saxes etc.?

Nope, haven't a clue, but I would love to find out where the one with King Curtis engraved on the bell rim wound up. He's holding it on the cover of the CBS records Greatest Hits CD.

Ray · 10-23-2003, 06:33 PM

I ordered Soul Groove and a greatest hits package today , I love the Soul Groove demos of the first 4 songs, I'm sure the rest will be as great. Also I ordered a Chuck Willis greatest hits cd. I'll be in Blues/Rock-n-Roll heaven soon. Working on the Dennis Taylor blues book/cd has also really been helpful in my attempts at playing the Blues.

clem · 10-23-2003, 11:18 PM

Ray: You might also enjoy "The Very Best of the Coasters" on Rhino. It's all late 50's early 60's R&R at its very best. King Curtis did the sax solos on most of these (see John Laughter's post above).

The Coasters deserve a class all to themselves. They had such wit and humor in these recordings that I think it's impossible NOT to like them. I can't think of any R&R group to compare them to.

clem · 10-23-2003, 11:18 PM

Ray: You might also enjoy "The Very Best of the Coasters" on Rhino. It's all late 50's early 60's R&R at its very best. King Curtis did the sax solos on most of these (see John Laughter's post above).

The Coasters deserve a class all to themselves. They had such wit and humor in these recordings that I think it's impossible NOT to like them. I can't think of any R&R group to compare them to.

kingperkoff · 10-24-2003, 12:40 AM

The Magazine devoted to King Curtis was called Boss and was a dinky little rag put out by Roy Simonds but it had some interesting stuff. He tried to catalog all of King's recordings and the list is extremely long.
He also had articles about other sax players in the mag, it came out for about 12 issues in the 80's.

Ray · 10-24-2003, 03:11 AM

Clem: I had forgotten about them. My mom had a greatest hits album of theirs she played when I was a kid. Thanks for refreshing my memory.
What really kills me is that my grandmother gave me a 45 of Chuck Willis with R&R Shoes/What Am I Living For from 1958 I think. I got it in 1969 and had it until sometime in the 80s but it got stolen.

Gotta go see if the Yankees are winning!!!

Ray · 11-01-2003, 09:16 PM

I got my King Curtis cds yesterday and haven't stopped listening to them!
So far, "Home Cookin' " is one of my favorites. I was playing it in my truck and looked in the rear seats and noticed my kids were jamming along too. All of a sudden, my 10 year old lets out an " Oowww" right at the perfect time.Then they all start clapping and bobbing their heads to the beat. My wife just shook her head and resigned herself to listening to the song 10 more times.

Her birthday is coming up soon, maybe she would like a new Mark VI tenor.

I love jazz but R&R/blues really gets me at a gut level. I goota get that tune down.
Thanks for the tip on King Curtis.

JL · 11-02-2003, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billmecca.com

One more pet peeve I have with a review a number of years ago in Saxophone Journal about the CD "man could he play " the reviewer ( I won't mention names) says something to the effect that when it came to jazz players "Curtis knew he wasn't as good as them." what a load of crap. He chose a different avenue for his art, I would love to see some of the alleged "better than him" players do what KC did. ( I don't get into this "greatest player" stuff anyway)

Man, do I second that!! I've read similar reviews and such statements are nonsense. KC could play with the best jazz musicians. Just listen to "Soul Meeting" (that's the one with Nat Adderly)---and I think I remember reading something in the liner notes to the effect that KC was "more comfortable" in a I-IV-V setting, or some nonsense like that--I don't think the writer listened very closely to album he was reviewing! KC sure is one of my favorites!

Bob M · 11-02-2003, 02:04 AM

Quote:

I love jazz but R&R/blues really gets me at a gut level.

Ray - Hear, Hear; I feel exactly the same way.

JL - On the Bear Family set King Curtis plays Sister Sadie as an up tempo romp that's just full of be bop. He could play with the best of them, notwithstanding what the "purists" may think.

jr! · 12-02-2003, 12:24 AM

There's a cd that's heavily traded in Allman Brothers Band trading circles that was recorded August 26, 1971 at a radio station appearance by the Allmans in NYC.
Before the tune "You don't love me" Duane Allman stops & talks about the loss of King Curtis & how beautiful the recent funeral was-apparently he went. At this point the ABB decide to do a little homage to King Curtis, so after about a half a second of thought, Duane goes "oh, I know where we'll do it" & charges into the introduction of "you don't love me" w/ the rest of the band chugging along with him. In the middle during the very extended solo bit (this is the ABB we're talking about!!) Duane breaks into what I presume is "Soul Serenade" (I must say I'm ashamed to admit I have never heard it before) & plays more than just a few bars of it.
It's kinda neat, but not a surprise really, as those who know the ABB know that for all intents & purposes they are a jazz band playing rock n' roll instruments (that's how I describe them anyway).