King Curtis “The Complete Atco Singles”
King Curtis “The Complete Atco Singles” <3 CD’s> www.RealGoneMusic.com
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee King Curtis (Curtis Ousley – 2/7/1934 – 8/13/1971) released recordings on the Atlantic Records subsidiary Atco during 1958-1959 and again from 1967-1971. This three-CD/sixty-six-track compilation assembles singles from both of Curtis’ Atco eras. It includes all A-sides and B-sides, plus two previously unreleased versions of Seals & Crofts “Ridin’ Thumb.” Eleven of the thirty-two A-sides reached Billboard’s pop chart, while seven registered on the R&B chart. (1962’s “Soul Twist,” was Curtis’ only number-one R&B hit,) but it’s not included because it topped the charts for Bobby Robinson’s Envoy Label, not Atco/Atlantic.
In 1970; one year prior to his death Curtis was awarded a Grammy for his non-charting cover of Joe South’s “Games People Play.” South’s cover appeared on his “Instant Groove” 1969 album (with tracks produced by Arif Mardin, Tom Dowd, Chips Moman and Jerry Greenberg.) “Instant Groove” also featured Duane Allman’s guitar, and an all-star cast of session players; Chuck Rainey, Jerry Jemmott, Cornell Dupree, Ray Lucas, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie and other uncredited musicians not acknowledged on the this (otherwise) fine compilation. Also appearing on these Atco sessions are the great Muscle Shoals and Memphis studio stars: Jimmy Johnson, Spooner Oldham, Roger Hawkins, Tommy Cogbill, and Reggie Young, plus rock legends: Eric Clapton, and Delaney Bramlett.
Standout covers include; Big Jay McNeely’s “Something on Your Mind,” Rufus Thomas’ “Jump Back,” Buddy Miles’ “Them Changes,” Joe Liggins “Honeydripper Parts 1 and 2,” Lieber and Stoler’s “Heavenly Blues,” the classic “Spanish Harlem,” and “On Broadway.” Booker T & the MG’s: “Green Onions,” the Cropper-Redding smash “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay,” the co-authored Bobby Womack – King Curtis “In the Pocket.” With other mega hits like Stephen Stills’ “For What It’s Worth,” Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe,” Smokey Robinson’s “Get Ready,” Donny Hathaway’s “Patty Cake,” Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” and many more.
Curtis’ originals are also solid: “Restless Guitar,” “Blue Nocturne,” “Boss,” “Quicksand,” “Cook-Out,” “This is Soul,” “8th Wonder,” “Pop Corn Willy,” “Soulin’,” plus co-authored with Chuck Rainey and Cornell Dupree “Floatin’.” The bombastic soul of “Instant Groove,” and the shorter “Foot Pattin’, Pt. 2,” differs from the long version that appeared on his “Instant Groove” LP that included a bristling solo by Duane Allman. His forever classic “Memphis Soul Stew” is not as potent as the “Live at the Fillmore West” burner yet it’s a very welcome inclusion here especially with (I think) Bernard “Pretty” Purdie’s (uncredited) pulsating and signature drumming.
Randy Poe points out in his liner-notes that over twenty-four of these tracks “never appeared on a King Curtis LP during his lifetime.” Poe’s thoughts are mostly insightful, and I also recommend Poe’s “Skydog: The Duane Allman Story.” But given Poe’s historical Duane Allman familiarity – I would have expected that Poe’s liners would have been clearer about how many times Allman played guitar on King Curtis tunes/recordings. Poe goes out of his way talking about the Duane/Curtis recordings, but only mentions just two songs and doesn’t include the other songs Duane played on for King Curtis. Personally; this is an unfortunate omission.
That being said: This four-panel digipack includes a sixteen-page booklet with photos, and label reproductions. But it would’ve been more informative had there been detailed session data, particularly about the bands and session players on each and every included track. Especially bearing in mind; Curtis frequently surrounded himself with crème de la crème musicians and those track credits should have been recognized and documented. One final gripe; why is it so difficult for labels to produce track-times on on the back-flap or anywhere on recordings? Not very difficult and it’s just plain lame, with no justifiable excuses.
Besides my quibbles: this three-CD box-set is a wonderful compilation assembled by Real Gone Music continues their tradition of complete singles collection(s.) May there be many more! Lastly: This King Curtis box is close to my ears and heart, and should also work very well for you as well. Enjoy.
For 17 years Bob Putignano has been pivotal at WFDU with his Sounds of Blue radio show (Wed. & Fri. 9am-1pm) www.SoundsofBlue.com – https://wfdu.fm Previously a contributing editor at Blues Revue, Blueswax, and Goldmine magazines, currently the Music Editor for the Yonkers Tribune www.YonkersTribune.com & www.MakingAScene.org Bob was also the 2003 recipient of the “Keeping the Blues Alive” award (given by the Blues Foundation in Memphis) for his achievements in radio broadcasting. Putignano can be contacted at: BobP@SoundsofBlue.com
