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OTIS REDDING Otis Forever : The Albums & Singles 1968-1970 ( Rhino )
This 5xLP box set collects four posthumous albums released after the King of Soul ’ s death and adds a 2xLP collection of singles . Unlike most other posthumous grab bags , these records are essential material for any fan , not least due to inclusion of the # 1 hit “( Sittin On ) The Dock of the Bay .” The song was recorded just three days prior to the December 10 , 1967 plane crash that claimed the lives of Redding and several members of tour mates the Bar-Kays . The music collected by Otis Forever caps Redding ’ s influential but toobrief career . The primary four albums are produced by guitarist Steve Cropper , whose bandmates in Booker T & the M . G .’ s are heard throughout the set .
The Dock of the Bay was originally released by the Volt label . The M . G .’ s simmer on the slow burning “ I Love You More Than Words Can Say ” and “ Let Me Come on Home ” ( adding a bristling horn section ). Songs including the pleading “ Open the Door ” would become blueprints for contemporary soul acts including Daptone artists Lee Fields and Charles Bradley . The album ’ s second side includes a track apiece from 1965 ’ s Otis Blue (“ Ole Man Trouble ”), 1966 ’ s The Soul Album ( a stirring version of blues standard “ Nobody Knows You ( When You ’ re Down and Out )”), and 1967 ’ s King & Queen ( the comical argument song “ Tramp ” with a disapproving Carla Thomas ). Redding improvises a rousing tour testimonial during a soul session covering “ The Huckle-Buck ” with the Mar-Keys ’ horn section .
The ensuing albums released by Atco didn ’ t top the charts but maintained the quality of Redding ’ s catalog and helped cement his legacy . The Immortal Otis Redding featured four charting singles including the buoyant and carefree " The Happy Song " ( one of several potent cowrites with Cropper ), sorrowful ballad " I ' ve Got Dreams to Remember ," and a retooled version of traditional spiritual " Amen ." Cropper ’ s guitar stings while Redding expresses soulful anguish during
Ray Charles ’ “ A Fool for You .” Booker T . Jones ’ piano sparkles on " Hard to Handle ," written by Redding with Al Bell and Allen Jones . The song became a top 40 hit in 1990 for the Black Crowes .
On Love Man , bassist Donald “ Duck ” Dunn propels a souped-up version of Jackie Wilson ’ s “( Your Love Has Lifted Me ) Higher & Higher .” Redding sings “ I ’ ll Let Nothing Separate Us ” with palpable conviction and devotion . “ Direct Me ” is effervescent with pop and gospel influences . Hot-blooded title track “ Love Man ” and “ Got to Get Myself Together ” are the album ’ s most energetic and irrepressible tracks , driven by Al Jackson Jr .’ s sharp snare . Soul ballad “ Free Me ” pleads for escape from the chains of not-sufficientlyrequited love .
Tell the Truth features a dozen songs recorded in 1967 . The percolating “ Demonstration ” was a collaboration between Redding and “ Chain of Fools ” ( among other hits ) songwriter Don Covay . Key covers include James Brown ’ s funky “ Out of Sight ” and Little Richard ’ s “ Slippin ’ and Slidin ’.” Redding ’ s own “ I Got the Will ” is a bracing horn-spiked stomper expressing ample determination but not direction . “ I got the will , but I can ’ t find my way ,” sings Redding , begging for his mama ’ s wisdom . Redding ’ s lover has him in a whirl in “ Swingin ’ on a String .”
Double album The Singles 1968-1970 is exclusive to Otis Forever , featuring mono mixes of 24 single sides . The collection contains a number of tracks not included on the four albums , including Redding ’ s take on James Brown ’ s “ Papa ’ s Got a Brand New Bag ,” “ Sweet Lorene ,” and a pair of Christmas songs . “ Can ’ t Turn You Loose ” was originally the B-side to 1965 ’ s “ Just One More Day ,” but became more popular than the A-side . After 1978 ’ s Briefcase Full of Blues , a new generation was introduced to the song by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi ’ s genre project the Blues Brothers .
A limited edition of Otis Forever arrives on colored vinyl , in addition to the standard black vinyl edition .
– Jeff Elbel
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