King Curtis & The Kingpins - Harper Valley PTA

Review by المارديني محمود

Alright, let’s dive into Harper Valley PTA by King Curtis & The Kingpins. This 1968 gem is one of those albums that kinda sneaks up on you. You think it’s just another jazz-funk thing, but then—bam—it hits different. With its mix of Rhythm & Blues, Soul, and Soul-Jazz vibes, this record feels like a groovy time capsule straight outta the late '60s. Produced by Tom Dowd (yeah, the legend) and arranged by Arif Mardin and King Curtis himself, the whole thing has this raw yet polished energy to it. Now, I gotta talk about two tracks in particular: “Makin’ Hey” and the title track, “Harper Valley PTA.” First off, “Makin’ Hey”—man, there’s something so smooth about how they lay down the groove here. The instrumental version especially stands out because it lets the band really stretch out. It’s not trying too hard; it’s just cool as hell. You can almost picture people vibin’ to this at some smoky club or blasting it in their car with the windows down. That sax solo? Pure fire. Like, you don’t even need words to feel what they’re saying. It’s soulful without being over-the-top, which makes it stick in your head for days. Then there’s “Harper Valley PTA,” the track everyone knows—or at least thinks they do. If you’ve ever seen the movie or heard Jeannie C. Riley’s version, you know the story. But King Curtis flips it completely. Instead of going all country twangy, he gives it this funky, jazzy twist that honestly feels way fresher than the original. The horns hit hard, and the rhythm section keeps things tight. It’s playful but still packs a punch, ya know? Every time I hear it, I’m reminded why soul-jazz was such a big deal back then—it wasn’t afraid to have fun while staying sharp. What’s wild is how this album came out in multiple countries—US, Sweden, Canada, France—and still holds up no matter where you’re hearing it from. Atco Records did right by putting this out worldwide. It’s like proof that good music doesn’t care about borders or genres. Reflecting on it now, I guess what gets me most is how effortlessly these songs blend styles. Funk, jazz, soul—it’s all mashed together without feeling forced. And honestly, isn’t that what great art’s supposed to do? Make you forget the rules for a bit? Anyway, listening to this album feels like finding an old vinyl in your grandma’s attic and realizing it’s gold. Who woulda thought a soundtrack to a silly movie could sound this timeless?

Download King Curtis & The Kingpins - Harper Valley PTA

Artist: King Curtis & The Kingpins
Album: Harper Valley PTA

1968

Rating: 4.0

Review
About Album
Download
Tracks
Video
Images
Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
Companies
Credits
Notes
Barcodes
About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: king-curtis-the-kingpins-harper-valley-pta.zip

MP3 size: 27.5 mb
FLAC size: 304.5 mb

Download

Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
8th Wonder	2:46
Makin' Hey (Instrumental)	2:56
Harper Valley P.T.A.	2:34
Harper Valley PTA	2:34
Makin' Hey	2:56

Video

King Curtis & the Kingpins - Harper Valley PTA

Images

last ned album King Curtis & The Kingpins - Harper Valley PTA

ladda ner album King Curtis & The Kingpins - Harper Valley PTA

descargar álbum King Curtis & The Kingpins - Harper Valley PTA

lataa albumi King Curtis & The Kingpins - Harper Valley PTA

télécharger l'album King Curtis & The Kingpins - Harper Valley PTA

Catalog Numbers

45-6613
ATCO-74
6613
6613X
ATL 70.325

Labels

Atco Records
ATCO Records
Atlantic

Listen online

ascolta in linea
lyssna på nätet
kuunnella verkossa
online luisteren
ouvir online
lytte på nettet
online anhören
écouter en ligne
escuchar en línea

Formats

Vinyl
7"
45 RPM
Single
Promo
Styrene

Companies

Role	Company
Mastered At	Atlantic Studios
Pressed By	Specialty Records Corporation
Manufactured By	Atlantic Recording Corporation
Published By	Newkeys Music

Credits

Role	Credit
Arranged By	Arif Mardin, King Curtis
Producer	Tom Dowd

Notes

white label promo copy;
pressed by Specialty Records Corporation (SRC), Pennsylvania

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (side A label): 68-C-15053 SP
Matrix / Runout (side B label): 68-C-14184 SP
Matrix / Runout (dead-wax side A): 68-C-15053-1 (SRC-logo)
Matrix / Runout (dead-wax side B): 68-C-14184-1 (SRC-logo)
Rights Society: BMI
Matrix / Runout (Side A Label): ATL-15053
Matrix / Runout (Side B Label): ATL-14184
Matrix / Runout (Side A Label): 68-C-15053-PL
Matrix / Runout (Side B Label): 68-C-14184-PL
Matrix / Runout (Runout Side A, etched): 68-C-15053-11LW AT W
Matrix / Runout: 68-C-14184-11 LW AT W
Matrix / Runout (Side A Label): 68-C-15053-M0
Matrix / Runout (Side B Label): 68-C-14184-M0

About King Curtis & The Kingpins

Name Vars

Cornell Dupree & The Kingpins
King Curtis & His Kingpins
King Curtis & The King Pins
King Curtis And The King Pins
King Curtis And The Kingpins
The Kingpins

Members

Cornell Dupree
Curtis Ousley

en.wikipedia.org

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a fun fact: The album *Harper Valley PTA* by King Curtis & The Kingpins is a hidden gem that blends jazz, funk, soul, and R&B. Released in 1968, it got attention in multiple countries like the US, Sweden, and Canada. What makes it special? It was arranged by two legends—Arif Mardin and King Curtis—and produced by Tom Dowd, who helped shape its smooth, groovy sound. The track "Makin' Hey" even appears twice, once as an instrumental version. It's a perfect mix of styles that feels both nostalgic and timeless.

Comments

primkokarkediri

2025-03-16

I knew K. C. by this song and I felt in love with his sax!

sportspics1

2025-03-16

Tom T. Hall wrote it

hervebaltar

2025-03-16

A 1969 issue of The Saturday Evening Post brought me here and I am forever grateful.

kaheyug

2025-03-16

Peaked at just No. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. Interesting instrumental version of the huge No. 1 hit from that same year. I like it quite a lot!