Live at Fillmore West

Professionally Curtis was having a prolific and successful time in the summer of 1971. Aretha Franklin's 'Live at Fillmore West' album was a huge hit and he had contributed to two tracks on John Lennon's album, 'Imagine'. King Curtis and his band the Kingpins were supporting Aretha Franklin as well as playing as her backing band. The album opens with his own composition "Memphis Soul Stew". Recorded in front of an enthusiastic audience and released just one week before Curtis' murder in 1971, 'Live at Fillmore West' is a brilliant confirmation of the saxophonist's place in popular music with beautiful renditions of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" and "I Stand Accused" are the highlights.