Analogman Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Otis Redding's third album, and his first fully realized album, presents his talent unfettered, his direction clear, and his confidence emboldened, with fully half the songs representing a reach that extended his musical grasp. More than a quarter of this album is given over to Redding's versions of songs by Sam Cooke, his idol, who had died the previous December, and all three are worth owning and hearing. Two of them, "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "Shake," are every bit as essential as any soul recordings ever made, and while they (and much of this album) have reappeared on several anthologies, it's useful to hear the songs from those sessions juxtaposed with each other, and with "Wonderful World," which is seldom compiled elsewhere. Also featured are Redding's spellbinding renditions of "Satisfaction" (a song epitomizing the fully formed Stax/Volt sound and which Mick Jagger and Keith Richards originally wrote in tribute to and imitation of Redding's style), "My Girl," and "You Don't Miss Your Water." "Respect" and "I've Been Loving You Too Long," two originals that were to loom large in his career, are here as well; the former became vastly popular in the hands of Aretha Franklin and the latter was an instant soul classic. Among the seldom-cited jewels here is a rendition of B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby" that has the singer sharing the spotlight with Steve Cropper, his playing alternately elegant and fiery, with Wayne Jackson and Gene "Bowlegs" Miller's trumpets and Andrew Love's and Floyd Newman's saxes providing the backing. Redding's powerful, remarkable singing throughout makes Otis Blue gritty, rich, and achingly alive, and an essential listening experience. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide Rhino has announced an expanded, remastered edition of Otis Redding's 1966 album Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. Due out on April 22, the double disc set includes a mono version of the record on the first CD and a stereo version on the second, both of which are backed by B-sides, live tracks and previously unreleased alternate mixes. As for Otis Blue's importance in the scheme of Redding's catalogue, it was recorded in 24 hours by the Stax house band (featuring Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the MG's, and more) and includes a pre-Aretha version of "Respect" as well as a hefty stack of covers. Among them are renditions of songs from the Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, the Temptations, and Solomon Burke. Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (Collector's Edition) Disc 1 1. Ole Man Trouble2. Respect3. Change Gonna Come4. Down in the Valley5. I've Been Loving You Too Long6. Shake7. My Girl8. Wonderful World9. Rock Me Baby10. Satisfaction11. You Don't Miss Your Water12. I've Been Loving You Too Long (Mono Mix of Stereo Album Version) [previously unreleased bonus track]13. I'm Depending on You [bonus track]14. Respect (Mono Mix of Stereo Album Version) [previously unreleased bonus track]15. Ole Man Trouble (Mono Mix of Stereo Album Version) [previously unreleased bonus track]16. Any Ole Way [bonus track]17. Shake (Live 1967, Stereo Mix of Single Version) [bonus track]18. Ole Man Trouble (Live at the Whisky a Go Go) [bonus track]19. Respect (Live at the Whisky a Go Go) [bonus track]20. I've Been Loving You Too Long (Live at the Whisky a Go Go) [bonus track]21. Satisfaction (Live at the Whisky a Go Go) [bonus track]22. I'm Depending on You (Live at the Whisky a Go Go) [bonus track]23. Any Ole Way (Live at the Whisky a Go Go) [bonus track] Disc 2: 1. Ole Man Trouble2. Respect3. Change Gonna Come4. Down in the Valley5. I've Been Loving You Too Long6. Shake7. My Girl8. Wonderful World9. Rock Me Baby10. Satisfaction11. You Don't Miss Your Water12. Respect (1967 Version) [bonus track]13. I've Been Loving You Too Long (Live in Europe) [bonus track]14. My Girl (Live in Europe) [bonus track]15. Shake (Live in Europe) [bonus track]16. Satisfaction (Live in Europe) [bonus track]17. Respect (Live in Europe) [bonus track] Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twisted Acres Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 SO SO SO ready for this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JerseyMike Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 One of my top 5 greatest records ever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rrgunn Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Just saw this - Great news. Its sad (to me) that many people know nothing of the Big O besides "Dock of the Bay". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
northern lights Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 yep, awesome news! the stax/volt revue live in norway and dreams to remember dvds that came out last year were nice as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Just saw this - Great news. Its sad (to me) that many people know nothing of the Big O besides "Dock of the Bay". I agree, for instance... Some doofus on You Tube commented on an Otis Redding video saying how it's a shame that nobody realizes Otis died in the same plane crash as Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, etc. The best male singer in pop music history deserves better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twisted Acres Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 The best male singer in pop music history deserves better. He certainly does. It also irks me that the main artifact pertaining to Otis Redding at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the shard of his wrecked airplane where you can see his name in hand-painted script. He was so much more than that. Just listen to "I've Got Dreams to Remember", or "I've Been Loving You Too Long (to stop now)"... even his version of the Temptations' "It's Growing". You get chills every time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 He certainly does. It also irks me that the main artifact pertaining to Otis Redding at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the shard of his wrecked airplane where you can see his name in hand-painted script. He was so much more than that. Just listen to "I've Got Dreams to Remember", or "I've Been Loving You Too Long (to stop now)"... even his version of the Temptations' "It's Growing". You get chills every time. "These Arms Of Mine" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twisted Acres Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Absolutely... didn't want to just name everything he did, but everything he did will give you that same incredible feeling. Jeez, "Cigarettes and Coffee"!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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