Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding [Box set] [Live]

Amazon.com essential recording
Having died at age 26, Otis Redding gave only a glimpse--albeit a well-documented one--of what he was capable of doing. These four CDs capture Redding's best moments and give a depth that is essential to Redding and Stax-era R&B fans. Redding shaped Stax's signature soul sound, in part by further livening up already high-powered horn charts and heavy rhythms, and in part by simply singing his heart out to a ringing degree. His early, heavily showy stuff is featured here in the form of "Shout Bamalama," but very quickly this set begins to boast just how categorically awe-inspiring Redding's vocal powers were. He made the heart hurt on scorching love-lost tunes ("That's What My Heart Needs") and then could jar the floor with bursting tempi, complex horn charts and unflagging passion on a tune like "Mr. Pitiful." By the time he was churning out tracks with the estimable instrumental outfit Booker T. & the MG's, Redding's dramatic delivery and awesome power were evenly keeled, ensuring at least an unforgettable performance--many of which are on these four CDs. The first three collect catalog material, from the early tunes (a great vantage on Redding's forming talent) to "Tramp," his erstwhile hit with Carla Thomas, to the jump-out-of-your-seat energy of Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang." The last CD collects live performances, each of which is distinctly unforgettable. Then there's the sure sign of Redding's ascendance, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," recorded within days of this Macon, Georgia, native's tragic early death. For those looking for something more compact than this set, try the anthology Dreams to Remember. Be prepared, however, to feel teased by just two CDs when you could have four. --Andrew Bartlett

Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding,Otis Redding,Elektra / Wea,Box Sets (Audio Only),Deep Soul,Oldies,Pop,R&B,Soul,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Southern Soul,United States of America

Average customer rating:

Parts are priceless, other parts are missing
Everyone NEEDS some OTIS!!
awesome
Timeless
I Can Never Get Enough

Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Southern Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Soul | Live Albums | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

R&B & Soul | Box Sets | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000003335
Release Date: 1993-11-09

Tracks:

She's Alright
Gettin' Hip
Shout Bamalama
Hey Hey Baby
These Arms Of Mine
That's What My Heart Needs
Mary's Little Lamb
Pain In My Heart
Security
Come To Me
Don't Leave Me This Way
Little Ol' Me
Don't Be Afraid Of Love
You're One and Only Man
Chained and Bound
That's How Strong My Love Is
Mr. Pitiful
For Your Precious Love
I've Been Loving You Too Long
I'm Depending On You
Ole Man Trouble
Change Gonna Come
Down In the Valley
Shake

Tracks:

Respect
You Don't Miss Your Water
I Can't Turn You Loose
Cupid
Just One More Day
Good To Me
Cigarettes and Coffee
Chain Gain
My Lover's
It's Growing
I'm Coming Home
Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)
I'm Sick Ya'll
Sweet Lorene
Try a Little Tenderness
Day Tripper
Tramp
Knock On Wood
Lovey Dovey
New Year's Resolution
You Left the Water Running
Trick Or Treat
Merry Christmas, Baby
White Christmas
Things Go Better With a Coke (Radio Promo)

Tracks:

Announcement
Glory Of Love
I Love You More Than Words Can Say
Let Me Come On Home
Open the Door
The Hucklebuck
The Happy Song (Dum-Dum)
Hard To Handle
Amen
Gone Again
I've Got Dreams To Remember
I'm a Changed Man
Direct Me
Love Man
Free Me
Look At That Girl
Pounds and Hundreds
Tell the Truth
Johnny's Heartbreak
The Match Game
A Little Time
Slippin' and Slidin'
(Sittin' On) The Dock Of the Bay

Tracks:

Introduction
Shake
Pain In My Heart
These Arms Of Mine
I Can't Turn You Loose
I've Been Loving You Too Long
My Girl
You're One and Only Man
Good To Me
Day Tripper
Just One More Day
Mr. Pitiful
Satisfaction
I'm Depending On You
Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)
Chained and Bound
Ol' Man Trouble
Any Ole Way
Papa's Got a Brand New Bag
Security
A Hard Day's Night
Respect
Try a Little Tenderness

Amazon.com essential recording

Having died at age 26, Otis Redding gave only a glimpse--albeit a well-documented one--of what he was capable of doing. These four CDs capture Redding's best moments and give a depth that is essential to Redding and Stax-era R&B fans. Redding shaped Stax's signature soul sound, in part by further livening up already high-powered horn charts and heavy rhythms, and in part by simply singing his heart out to a ringing degree. His early, heavily showy stuff is featured here in the form of "Shout Bamalama," but very quickly this set begins to boast just how categorically awe-inspiring Redding's vocal powers were. He made the heart hurt on scorching love-lost tunes ("That's What My Heart Needs") and then could jar the floor with bursting tempi, complex horn charts and unflagging passion on a tune like "Mr. Pitiful." By the time he was churning out tracks with the estimable instrumental outfit Booker T. & the MG's, Redding's dramatic delivery and awesome power were evenly keeled, ensuring at least an unforgettable performance--many of which are on these four CDs. The first three collect catalog material, from the early tunes (a great vantage on Redding's forming talent) to "Tramp," his erstwhile hit with Carla Thomas, to the jump-out-of-your-seat energy of Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang." The last CD collects live performances, each of which is distinctly unforgettable. Then there's the sure sign of Redding's ascendance, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," recorded within days of this Macon, Georgia, native's tragic early death. For those looking for something more compact than this set, try the anthology Dreams to Remember. Be prepared, however, to feel teased by just two CDs when you could have four. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Parts are priceless, other parts are missing.......2007-01-28

I wanted to give this a 4.5 star rating. What makes this set one-of-kind is indeed the 4th CD of live recordings and snippets of Otis's speaking voice (as mentioned several times in other reviews.) Also the accompanying booklet (100 pages, 5 x 12 inches) is outstanding. From the various essays by those close to him (his wife, Zelma, Jim Stewart the founder of Stax records and many music execs and many, many fellow musicians, etc.) to the plentiful archival photos of him performing and at home on his ranch, I truly enjoyed getting to know Otis the person, as well as his style of live performance and composing both in bandmate's written depictions as well as his own pattering with the crowds on the live CD. There's a detailed analysis putting Otis into the context of the early civil rights movement, the rise of Motown, Sun, and Stax records, and the values and integrity he maintained through out his rise to fame.

There is my praise.

This set exposed me to many songs I had not heard by Otis and I already had 7 albums! My critique is that there are (as always) a few lesser-known favorites left out - notably half of the 1966 album "Complete and Unbelievable. Otis Redding. My-My-My." The guitar line in "You're Still My Baby" from that album is as iconic as in "I've been lovin' you too long to stop now." "Hawg for You" just gets down and rolls deep. I could go on...but the joy of it is, you'll keep discovering a new gem or two more as you hunt down the rest of his albums. He accomplished so much in such a short time. This set covers his early beginnings to his untimely death in beautiful melody, words and photos.

Everyone NEEDS some OTIS!! .......2006-12-28

I'm 30 yrs old and I've been a fan since high school. My best friend's mom had his records and we fell in love! While everyone was listening to new pop, hip hop..we were jammin to Otis and the Eagles! Otis is a musical genius. I would give my left leg to have Otis here today and see him perform! How awesome would that be!!!???
So, if your looking for soulful, feel good music, you will absolutely love this box set of Otis!!! It's great to crank up and clean house or just play while relaxing in a hot bath! I can't pick a favorite because i love them all. The only song that I wish was on here is Champagne and Wine. But overall, I just can't live without it. Hope this helps. :)

awesome.......2006-11-10

magnificent music that anyone who love and or even just likes music should have in their collection

Timeless.......2005-09-20

Even the best soul music sounds (or any music) sounds rooted in its time - the stylistic cues of the instrumentation say "this is the 60's" or whatever.

Otis is different. Nobody is recording this kind of music anymore, but it still sounds like it could have been recorded yesterday. No cheesey instumentation or vocal cues.

Otis never had to call attention to himself like the warbling moaning R&B superstars of today. He made every song his own just singing it straight. He didn't even make it to the obligatory tragically dead rock star age of 27, but he left a musical legacy that puts other artists to shame.

I Can Never Get Enough.......2005-09-14

This is one of the greatest collections of music I have had the pleasure to own. I love the fact that it includes many songs I have never heard on the radio. The 4th disc is the best to me. The live faster than fast tempos and wonderful chatter in between songs adds something special. It makes you feel as if you are right there in the audience looking up at him.