Otis Blue / Otis Redding Sings The Blues - Otis Redding Album Review

Otis Redding

Album Review

Bumper expanded 2 CD set collector's edition featuring original mono and stereo versions, bonus tracks including B-sides, live tracks and previously unreleased alternate mixes.

If this is the only soul record you invest in, you seriously won't be disappointed.

Of the original album, NME ranked it as 35 on their Greatest Albums of All Time and Rolling Stone magazine placed it at 74 on their 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time. The latter described it as 'Redding's true dictionary of soul, a stunning journey through the past and future vocabulary of R&B...documenting a masterful artist rising to...the immense challenge of his times.."

Back in the 60s there was only one man who could challenge the crown of Marvin Gaye as the greatest soul singer - Otis Ray Redding Jr.

Unlike Gaye's smooth stylings, Redding often exploded with passion and guts. It caught a performer at the peak of his raw and unpolished best, reaching a new level of expressive development and southern soul sound.

It was Redding's third album and critics considered it to be it his first great album, recorded over a 24 hour period from 9 July 1965 with backing from Booker T and the MG's including Isaac Hayes, released later that year in September. This rare beast was seen as a genuine 'album' well thought out and unlike some soul releases of slapdash assortment of singles and fillers it has 11 classic Redding tracks containing originals such as Respect and covers like the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction and his idol Sam Cooke's Wonderful World. It opens with considered, reflective and heart-rendering gem Ole Man Trouble where he unleashes his deep rasp with the MG's on sparkling and steady form. It's noticeable that unlike Gaye and Cooke, Redding is almost pleading, a technique adopted throughout the album, highlighted on Change Gonna Come. Punchy Respect, made famous later by Aretha Franklin is a full -on blast with that chucky dance beat held tight all through. The same locomotive pulse explodes of dance oriented Shake, whereas he keeps the measured and soulful template covering the Temptations' classic My Girl. A similar approach is done on a deeply respectful cover of BB King's hangdog Blues ballad Rock Me Baby.

Satisfaction by the Stones, sung as 'Satisfashion' was a peculiar inclusion, and doesn't really work for me. William Bell's quintessential southern soul lament You Don't Miss Your Water is possibly the album's highlight, with his pleading reaching new heights as he roars, " I miss my water, I want my water, I need my water."

The alternates and singles (tracks 12 - 17) are great to hear, especially for aficionados. The real bonuses here are the live recordings. At West Hollywood's Whisky A Go- Go, April 1966, (not to be confused with In Person at Whisky A Go-Go or Whisky A Go-Go Vol.2) Redding is absolutely mesmerising throughout his six song setlist, giving a masterclass in delivery and interpretation particularly the spellbinding and tortured I've Been Loving You Too Long, proving to be as exhilarating and engaging as anything he did in the studio. Live in Europe was his first live album and the last released before his death, but sadly we only get 5 tracks, half of the original recordings, though what's here is equally as impressive as the Whisky sessions.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website declares Redding's name is 'synonymous with the term soul music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm and blues into a form of funky, secular testifying.'

Respect.

File under: Mindblowing.

Elly Roberts