Otis Redding - Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul

WV Score: 9.7/10

Otis Redding. Most people today think of "Dock of the Bay" when he is mentioned. In 1965 he released "Otis Blue", his third album, which many consider to be his best and most essential album.

This is amazing since he laid down 10 of the 11 tracks in two days time. Earlier in the year, his idol, Sam Cooke had died, so there was a since of urgency for someone to step up and take the crown of best damn soul singer in the universe. This is exactly what Redding did on Otis Blue. He even covered two of Cooke's songs on the album.

He starts out smooth on "Ole Man Trouble", staying with the intensity of the horns in the background, yet never overshadowing them with his voice.

Next is his probably his most famous original song, "Respect". The only problem is he didn't make it famous although his version is just as good as the cover done by Aretha Franklin.

His cover of "My Girl" doesn't sound much different than the Temptations. It is a little more soul-sy and included more horns. Not to mention it came out only a year after the original.

One thing that I read in the linear notes that made the album even more impressive is that Redding not only wrote most of his songs but also played in upwards of five different instruments. Of course the most potent is his raspy voice that shows emotions like no soul singer after him.

It was one of the greatest tradegies in all of music when, at the young and promising age of 26, Otis Redding died in a plane crash, forever cementing his place in music history.

All I have to say is this album is one of the greatest albums ever and it would be a shame for you not to own a copy to listen to in your car, on your back porch, or even throw on at a party. Otis is right for all occasions. It has the upbeat songs as well as the ballads, yet it all seems to make you feel warm on the inside.

I think the first paragraph in the linear notes says it best: "Soul is a word that has many meanings. In the pop-R&B world of today (1965) it usually means and intensely dramatic performance by a singer, projected with such feeling that it reaches out and visibly moves the listener. It means that the singer is saying something, sometimes ever more than the lyrics themselves might normally convey. Soul is not something that can be feigned-you either have it or you don't. Otis Redding has it, to a degree almost unrivaled by any other young singer in sight.