Description

Had his short life not been snuffed out by a plane crash (the curse of many a budding legends from Buddy Holly to Skynyrd), Otis Redding would have emerged as the Memphis based STAX label’s biggest superstar. His reflective anthem “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” topped the charts posthumously after Booker T &amp The MGs guitarist Steve Cropper completed it. Otis Redding’s work was stuffed with sanctified classics, from sweat-soaked showstoppers “Mr. Pitiful” and “Can’t Turn You Loose”, to the heart-strangling pleas “These Arms Of Mine” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”.Dozens of admirers tackled his smokin’ soul catalogue, most notably, Aretha Franklin’s “sock it to me” take on “Respect”, but also The Blues Brothers, The Black Crowns, Robert Cray, Taj Mahal, and Three Dog Night. Otis’ heat-sinking interpretations of The Rolling Stones “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, and Sam Cooke’s booty-bumper “Shake” proved he could belt ’em as effortlessly as he wrote ’em. This much needed vinyl release of this timeless sixteen track sampler The Best of Otis Redding stands tall as a tantalizing tribute to one of the sixties’ towering talents.Heavyweight audiophile vinyl produced by Rhino Records in 2023. Remastered in mono from the original analog tapes by Dan Hersch &amp Bill Inglot at d2 Mastering. Lacquer cut by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Cover painting by Nikkolas Smith (based on photo courtesy of The Estate of Otis Redding). Extensive liner notes by Memphis journalist Andria Lisle.TRACKLISTING:These Arms Of MinePain In My HeartStand By MeMr. PitifulThat’s How Strong My Love IsI’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)RespectMy GirlI Can’t Turn You LooseSatisfactionFa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)Try A Little TendernessShake(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The BayHard To HandleI’ve Got Dreams To Remember