Otis Redding – Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings The Blues

Elly Roberts reviews

Otis Redding – Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings The BluesDistributed by
Rhino

• Released: April 2008
• Rating: 10/10+++
• Vote and comment on this album:

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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 Timeand 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 journeythrough the past and future vocabulary of R&B – “documenting a masterful artist risingto…the immense challenge of his times..”

Back in the 60s there was only one man who could challenge the crown ofMarvin 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 hisa new level of expressive development and southern soul sound.

It was Redding’s third album and critics considered it to be it his first greatalbum, recorded over a 24 hour period from 9 July 1965 with backing from BookerT 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 somesoul releases of slapdash assortment of singles and fillers it has 11 classicRedding tracks containing originals such as Respect and covers like theRolling Stones’ Satisfaction and his idol Sam Cooke’s Wonderful World.

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It opens with considered, reflective and heart-rendering gem Ole Man Troublewhere he unleashes his deep rasp with the MG’s on sparkling and steady form. It’snoticeable that unlike Gaye and Cooke, Redding is almost pleading, a technique adoptedthroughout the album, highlighted on Change Gonna Come.

Punchy Respect,made famous later by Aretha Franklin is a full-on blast with that chucky dancebeat held tight all through. The same locomotive pulse explodes ofdance-oriented Shake, whereas he keeps the measured and soulful template covering the Temptations’ classic My Girl. A similar approach isdone 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, anddoesn’t really work for me. William Bell’s quintessential southern soul lamentYou Don’t Miss Your Water is possibly the album’s highlight, with hispleading reaching new heights as he roars, “I miss my water, I want my water, I need my water.”

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The alternates and singles (tracks 12 – 17) are great to hear, especially foraficionados. The real bonuses here are the live recordings. At West Hollywood’sWhisky A Go-Go, April 1966, (not to be confused with In Person at WhiskyA Go-Go or Whisky A Go-Go Vol.2) Redding is absolutely mesmerising throughout his sixsong setlist, giving a masterclass in delivery and interpretation particularlythe spellbinding and tortured I’ve Been Loving You Too Long, proving tobe as exhilarating and engaging as anything he did in the studio.

Live in Europe was his first live album and the last released before hisdeath, but sadly we only get 5 tracks, half of the original recordings, thoughwhat’s here is equally as impressive as the Whisky sessions.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website declares Redding’s name is ‘synonymouswith the term soul music that arose out of the black experience in Americathrough the transmutation of gospel and rhythm and blues into a form of funky,secular testifying.’

Respect.

The 40-track listing includes Respect, Change Gonna Come, My Girl, Satisfaction, I’ve Been Loving You Too Long, Shake, I’m Depending On Youand the full list can be found on the Amazon link above.

File under: Mindblowing.

Weblink:rhino.comWebsite – www.

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The full list of tracks included are :

1. Hypo Full Of Love (The 12 Step Plan)
2. Woke Up This Morning (Sopranos Mix)
3. Hello..I’m Johnny Cash
4. Mao Tse Tung Said
5. Mansion On The Hill (Arthur Baker remix) *
6. U Don’t Danse To Tekno Anymore
7. How Can I Protect You feat.Aslan (Dope Mix)
8. Woody Guthrie
9. Ain’t Goin’ To Goa
10. Monday Don’t Mean Anything
11. Sad Eyed Lady Of The Low Life
12. Amos Moses
13. Too Sick To Pray
14. Up Above My Head
15. R.E.H.A.B.
16. Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness
17. Ska’d For Life (Orbital Mix) *
18. Peace In The Valley

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