Otis Blue

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Otis Blue has always been that rarest of beasts: a '60s soul album that could actually have been made as an album, rather than as a slapdash assortment of singles and fillers. The point being that there is no filler among these eleven classic Redding tracks that range from the crisp stomp of "Respect" and the Stones' "Satisfaction" to the touching pop of the Temps "My Girl" and Sam Cookes "Wonderful World"--not forgetting, of course, the heart-rending anguish of "Ole Man Trouble" and "I've Been Loving You Too Long." Otis Blue captures Redding at the very peak of his raw, unpolished powers, with the peerlessly punchy backing of Booker T. and the MGs. --Barney Hoskyns

Otis Blue,Otis Redding,Sundazed Music Inc.,Pop,R&B

Otis Blue

Otis Blue
Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A curiously overrated album (in my opinion, anyway) from a great musician
  • Otis!
  • ****3/4. One of the all-time classic soul records
  • Oddly overrated classic soul LP
  • Best soul album ever.
 Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
Southern SoulSouthern Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
Memphis SoulMemphis Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Soul General | Soul | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Soul General | Soul | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
4-for-3 Pop4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
4-for-3 R&B4-for-3 R&B | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
4-for-3 All Music4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
IconsIcons | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul : Complete & Unbelievable
  2. The Dock of the Bay
  3. I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You/Including Respect
  4. Lady Soul
  5. In Person at the Whisky a Go Go

ASIN: B000002IHD
Release Date: 1991-06-11

Tracks:

  1. Ole Man Trouble
  2. Respect
  3. A Change Is Gonna Come
  4. Down In The Valley
  5. I've Been Loving You Too Long
  6. Shake
  7. My Girl
  8. Wonderful World
  9. Rock Me Baby
  10. Satisfaction
  11. You Don't Miss Your Water

Amazon.com essential recording

Otis Blue has always been that rarest of beasts: a '60s soul album that could actually have been made as an album, rather than as a slapdash assortment of singles and fillers. The point being that there is no filler among these eleven classic Redding tracks that range from the crisp stomp of "Respect" and the Stones' "Satisfaction" to the touching pop of the Temps "My Girl" and Sam Cookes "Wonderful World"--not forgetting, of course, the heart-rending anguish of "Ole Man Trouble" and "I've Been Loving You Too Long." Otis Blue captures Redding at the very peak of his raw, unpolished powers, with the peerlessly punchy backing of Booker T. and the MGs. --Barney Hoskyns

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars A curiously overrated album (in my opinion, anyway) from a great musician.......2007-07-26

There's no question about it: your soul colletion isn't complete without some Otis Redding in it. The man created more than his share of masterpieces, cranking out brilliant slabs of R&B by the pound. His voice was a (nearly) can't-fail mixture of grit and emotional resonance. He was also a charismatic performer and an excellent songwriter; his final single, "(Stittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" is simply one of the most heart-breakingly beautiful songs of all time, a work of devestating genius that has, on multiple occasions, reduced me to tears.

Having said that, I simply can't reccomend this album as the soul masterpiece that other people seem to think it is. Granted, it has some fantastic moments- "Ole Man Trouble" is a superb midtempo ballad with some pleading vocals, slashing guitars, and a hypnotic rhythm. His version of "Rock Me Baby" drips with raw, salivating sexuality, and "Respect" (which would, of course, soon be covered by Aretha Frankin") is a rousing anthem with some pounding drums and a great horn line. Plus, Otis' voice is full of infectious passion. There's also a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" that transforms the song into a relentless, gritty R&B basher. Again, Redding delivers an incredibly exuberant vocal- just listen to those verses!

The problem with this album, however, is that there are far too many tracks here that are little more than filler. My biggest gripe is with Otis' version of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." Now, the original was an absolute masterpiece, a soul-crushing heart-shredder that's every bit as powerful as "Dock Of The Bay." Otis' rendition isn't terrible, per se, but it robs the song of virtually all of its supernatural power. He remains faithful to its haunting, mournful melody, but sings without any of Cooke's emotional directness. He darts around the lyrics, adding little asides that ruin the focus of the song. He also tinkers with the lyrics, undermining Cooke's brilliant wording. The result is a castrated rendition of a masterpiece, one that strips the original of its cathartic power while contributing nothing new to it. Aside form that, there's an unexciting "Down In The Valley," and the overly sugary "I've Been Loving You Too Long" (sorry, I know it's supposed to be one of his best, but it just doesn't do anything for me). Also, his by-numbers take on "My Girl" isn't going to replace the Temptations' version.

The songs that I haven't already disussed are pretty good, but not exactly revelations: "Shake" has some inticing rhythms, but can't sustain its excitement all the way through, and "Wonderful World" similarly overstays its welcome. "You Don't Miss Your Water" fits the R&B archetype to a tee- which means that even though it's performed expertly, it feels like you've already heard the blasted thing a billion times before.

So, it's a pretty good album. I feel somewhat odd, seeing as how I appear to be the only person who doesn't absolutely adore it, but... eh, what're you gonna do?

5 out of 5 stars Otis!.......2007-02-23

Tired of what passes for soul these days? Had enough of Destiny's Child, John Legend, etc.? Then let me tell you about Otis Redding. This is the man who penned Respect - yeah, so Aretha's version is definitive, but his ain't too shabby either. This also contains Otis' first big hit, the oft-covered I've Been Loving You Too Long, which has survived being butchered by the Rolling Stones - out of its many covers, it's best heard here. And speaking of the Stones, Otis' version of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction is a surprisingly good reading of the just rock classic, especially considering it's a fine example of record company prostitution - the Rolling Stones had hit big with it a few months prior to this album's release. Otis' is funky, soulful, etc. And how about the bluesy Ole Man Trouble? Man, that song's a killer. "Don't want you, Ole Man Trouble, don't need you, Ole Man Trouble..." damn! Is that soul, or what? Two cool Sam Cooke covers (Shake and Wonderful World) round this classic album out. I enjoy every song (with the possible exception of a rather limp My Girl), and this is one of my favorite Soul LP's.

5 out of 5 stars ****3/4. One of the all-time classic soul records.......2006-07-28

I don't know if "Otis Blue" is the greatest 60s soul record ever released, as some have suggested, but I'm convinced it must be in the top-10.
"Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul" is a bit brief by today's standarts, and I do prefer the Stones' own version of "Satisfaction" to this one, but virtually every thing else is terrific. The arrangements are lean and uncluttered but suitably muscular, and Otis Redding was not the least of the many fine vocalists of soul's "golden age".

Redding is equally convincing on slow, gospel-like tunes like "A Change Is Gonna Come" and up-tempo soul stompers like "Respect", and he receives excellent backing by guitarist Steve Cropper and a tight four-man horn ensemble (two trumpets, two saxes).
Highlights include almost every song. A gritty, grinding "Down In The Valley", a rarely-compiled cover of Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World", the aching ballad "I've Been Loving You Too Long", and "Shake", a driving dance-friendly party tune. Whether or not the blues classic "Rock Me Baby" benefits from this arrangement depends on how you feel about blues to begin with, I guess, but Steve Cropper's playing is certainly very good.

Some of Otis Redding's best self-penned songs are here, like "Ole Man Trouble" and the aforementioned "Respect" and "I've Been Loving You Too Long", and while a good case can be made for the "Dock Of The Bay" being Redding's best original album, I think this one deserves a tie at least.
"Otis Blue" should not be missing from any self-respecting soul collection. Music collection, really.
It's got a beat and you can dance to it. Ot just sit there alternately swaying and bopping your head like a deranged pigeon.

4 out of 5 stars Oddly overrated classic soul LP.......2006-05-23

This is probably Redding's most famous and acclaimed single LP; it's one of only two that Rhino keeps in print domestically at mid-price. (The other is the ubiquitous semi-compilation, DOCK OF THE BAY). Redding's incredible force of personality carries all of his LPs, and they're all quality entertainment, but most of them are erratic. OTIS BLUE is as uneven as any of them but contains a handful of seminal performances.

Side A is much stronger than side B, and contains all of the original material Redding brought to this session. As expected, the three originals are all outstanding. "I've Been Loving You Too Long" is a justly famous, dynamic torch ballad; "Ole Man Trouble" (repeated, perhaps to more poignant effect, on DOCK OF THE BAY) receives a cavernous arrangement, anchored to a dissonant Steve Cropper riff, with lyrics of overwhelming despair. And the version here of "Respect" is sleeker and punchier than Aretha's, although necessarily it lacks much feminist interest. I prefer it anyway.

There are also three Sam Cooke songs, which suggests that Redding might have had a fuller tribute in mind to the then-recently deceased legend. Otis improves on both "Shake" and "A Change is Gonna Come" - the latter is skeletal and gut-wrenching, the former gloriously raunchy. (Despite the album's title, Redding's concerns throughout the album are pretty earthy - a lusty blues showcases Cropper on both sides of the LP, although the performances aren't among Redding's most memorable.)

Side B features a take on "Wonderful World" that is more radical, but not nearly apt or successful as the late-Cooke pieces on Side A. There's also a perfunctory version of "My Girl" that, like the two blues, slows the album's momentum and leads me to wonder why this is usually classed as Redding's masterpiece when discs like THE IMMORTAL OTIS REDDING are just sitting there unnoticed. After an odd (but basically reverent) version of "Satisfaction", complete with fuzz guitar, Redding takes William Bell by the collar and shakes "You Don't Miss Your Water" free, cutting to the quick just as he did with "A Change Is Gonna Come". His rendering of the immortal soul ballad is as eccentric and indispensible as The Byrds'.

Either three-and-a-half or four stars. DOCK OF THE BAY, which is just as cheap and is, to a certain extent, cobbled together (side B extracts tunes from three previous Redding LPs and one Stax compilation) is probably a better starter.

5 out of 5 stars Best soul album ever........2005-09-05

This is for me the best soul album ever.
All songs are beautiful, contains true soul arrangements without
frequent and disruptive background vocals.
Redding is in top form. His songs like Respect or I've Been Loving You Too Long are great and his covers like Satisfaction or Down in the walley too.
This is essential music for every soul fans.
Note: I have this album on mono.
Blues Jam in Chicago, Vol. 1
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Blues Jam in Chicago, Vol. 1
    Fleetwood Mac & Otis Spann
    Manufacturer: Blue Horizon
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Blues RockBlues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
    Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Fleetwood Mac in Chicago
    2. Alone with the Blues
    3. The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions
    4. Boston Blues
    5. A Hard Road

    ASIN: B00030607Y
    Release Date: 2004-10-12

    Tracks:

    1. World's in a Tangle
    2. Talk With You
    3. Like It This Way
    4. Someday Soon Baby
    5. Hungry Country Girl
    6. Black Jack Blues - (Bonus Track)
    7. Everyday I Have The Blues
    8. Rockin' Boogie
    9. My Baby's Gone
    10. Sugar Mama (Take 1) - (Bonus Track)
    11. Sugar Mama
    12. Homework - (Bonus Track)
    13. Honey Boy Blues
    14. I Need Your Love (Take 1) - (Bonus Track)
    15. Horton's Boogie Woogie (Take 2)
    Complete Blue Horizon Sessions
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Complete Blue Horizon Sessions
      Otis Spann
      Manufacturer: Sony / Bmg Import
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Chicago BluesChicago Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
      Electric Blues GuitarElectric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
      BluesBlues | Imports | Stores | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. Complete Blue Horizon Sessions
      2. Complete Blue Horizon Sessions
      3. Otis Spann Is the Blues
      4. The Blues Is Where It's At
      5. Complete Blue Horizon Sessions

      ASIN: B000F2C7PO
      Release Date: 2006-05-15

      Tracks:

      1. Can't Do Me No Good
      2. Bloody Murder
      3. Someday Soon Baby
      4. Hungry Country Girl
      5. My Love Depends On You (Previously Unreleased)
      6. Walkin' (Previously Unreleased)
      7. It Was A Big Thing (Previously Unreleased)
      8. Temperature Is Rising
      9. Dig You
      10. No More Doggin'
      11. Ain't Nobody's Business (Previously Unreleased)
      12. She Needs Some Loving
      13. I Need Some Air
      14. Someday Soon Baby (Previously Unreleased)
      15. No More Doggin' (Alt. Take 1) (Previously Unreleased)
      16. No More Doggin' (Alt. Take 2) (Previously Unreleased)
      17. I Need Some Air (Alt. Take) (Previously Unreleased)
      18. Walkin' (Alt. Take 1) (Previously Unreleased)
      19. Walkin' (Alt. Take 2) (Previously Unreleased)
      20. Blues For Hippies
      21. Temperature Is Rising (98.8f)
      22. Someday Soon Baby (Alt. Take 1) (Previously Unreleased)
      23. Someday Soon Baby (Alt. Take 2) (Previously Unreleased)
      24. Someday Soon Baby (Alt. Take 3) (Previously Unreleased)
      25. She Needs Some Loving (Alt. Take) (Previously Unreleased)
      26. Dig You (Alt. Take 1) (Previously Unreleased)
      27. Dig You (Alt. Take 2) (Previously Unreleased)
      28. She's Out Of Sight

      Album Description

      U.K. two CD collection featuring Spann's recordings for the Blue Horizon label. 28 tracks total, including previously unreleased recordings, alternate takes and false starts. Also features the original versions of 'Can't Do Me No Good', 'Bloddy Murder', 'Someday Soon Baby' and 'Hungry Country Girl'. Sony/BMG. 2006.

      Album Details

      Digitally Remastered Double Disc CD that Compiles all of the Last Sessions from 1969 Recorded at Chess Studios by the Late, Great Keyboardist who Played in Muddy Waters' Blues Band. He Had Finally Been Able to Secure his Own Deal with Mike Vernon's Blue Horizon Label in the UK and Left Muddy Waters to Pursue his Solo Fame. These Tracks Feature Fleetwood Mac Members John Mcvie, Peter Green and Danny Kirwan Backing Him Up. The Resulting Album, "The Biggest Thing Since Colossus" Yielded the Hit Single "Hungry Country Girl" and the Great Jam of "Someday Soon Baby". Alas, Spann's Solo Dreams were Short Lived and Dashed as He Developed Cancer and Passed Away in 1970. However, These Recordings Serve as Testament to his Legacy, Along with Mentor Waters Having Namechecked Him in Many of his Own Songs after his Death.
      Blue on Blues
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • Blue on Blues
      		 Blue on Blues
      Buddy Guy & Otis Rush
      Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Chicago BluesChicago Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
      Electric Blues GuitarElectric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
      Modern BluesModern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. Alone & Acoustic
      2. Buddy Guy & Junior Wells Play the Blues
      3. Essential Collection: The Classic Cobra Recordings 1956-1958
      4. All the Roadrunning

      ASIN: B000065V9M
      Release Date: 2002-05-07

      Tracks:

      1. You Sure Can't Do
      2. This Is The End
      3. Try To Quit You Baby
      4. Sit And Cry (The Blues)
      5. You Sure Can't Do (alt)
      6. This Is The End (alt/take 3)
      7. I Can't Quit You Baby
      8. Keep On Loving Me Baby
      9. My Love Will Never Die
      10. It Takes Time
      11. Double Torouble
      12. All Your Love (I Miss Loving)

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Blue on Blues.......2002-08-06

      "Blue on Blues" is an excellent collection of true soulful Chicago blues. Buddy Guy and Otis Rush go great together. I always have this CD playing when people come over to the house and it gives off a night club vibe, its great. The sound streams are crystal clear and the liner notes are very extensive and give good background information.
      Ella Fitzgerald (Holiday in Harlem / Blue Skies / How High the Moon / When I Get Low I Get High) [3 CD Set ~ 54 Songs]
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Ella Fitzgerald (Holiday in Harlem / Blue Skies / How High the Moon / When I Get Low I Get High) [3 CD Set ~ 54 Songs]

        Manufacturer: TIME MUSIC
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Classic VocalistsClassic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B0009JI3ZQ

        Product Description

        54 CLASSIC SONGS ON 3 CD'S ALL PERFORMED BY ELLA FITZGERALD.
        Blue Flames
        Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
        • Comfortable As An Old Shoe
        • What a Team!
        • Stanley Turrentine at his best
        		 Blue Flames
        Shirley Scott , Stanley Turrentine , Bob Cranshaw , and Otis Finch
        Manufacturer: Ojc
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        Bebop GeneralBebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Hard BopHard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Soul-Jazz & BoogalooSoul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. Soul Shoutin'
        2. Queen of the Organ: Memorial Album
        3. Legends of Acid Jazz
        4. Smokin'
        5. Everybody Come on Out

        ASIN: B000000YIC
        Release Date: 1995-04-17

        Tracks:

        1. The Funky Fox
        2. Hips Knees An' Legs
        3. Five Spot After Dark
        4. Grand Street
        5. Flamingo

        Customer Reviews:

        4 out of 5 stars Comfortable As An Old Shoe.......2004-09-26

        They make it sound so effortless: two masters of their instruments (who also happened to be husband & wife) grooving smoothly through another organ/tenor sax recording of funk and blues plus a fine moody rendition of "Flamingo." Though their marriage didn't last their musical marriage certainly does.

        5 out of 5 stars What a Team!.......2003-08-18

        A great production. I bought this LP over 30 years (at least) ago in Waxy Maxy's record store in Washington, DC. Shirley just died, God bless her, and was preceded in death by her former husband Stanley Turrentine, the dynamite sax player. Buy this stuff now -- it can only grow in value.

        5 out of 5 stars Stanley Turrentine at his best.......2001-11-06

        One of my all time favorite Stanley Turrentine albums. This is straight ahead jazz, swinging hard. One ballad (Flamingo), a mid tempo blues (Hip knees and legs)and three great tunes composed by Shirley Scott, Sonny Rollins and Benny Golson. When he plays like this, Turrentine is untouchable.
        From Burnt Orange to Midnight Blue
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		From Burnt Orange to Midnight Blue
          Sean Croghan
          Manufacturer: In Music We Trust
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          Lo-FiLo-Fi | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
          Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B00005B2XW
          Release Date: 2001-03-27

          Tracks:

          1. Gweneveire
          2. Cupids Credit Card
          3. Fridays Face in Sundays Suit
          4. Tom R.
          5. Little Miss Whiplash
          6. John McConnells Ghost
          7. Space Room
          8. Its Gonna Be Alright
          9. Otis Tolstoy
          Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
            Otis Redding
            Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
            Southern SoulSouthern Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
            Memphis SoulMemphis Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
            Similar Items:
            1. Mad Dogs & Englishmen
            2. War
            3. Damn the Torpedoes
            4. Quadrophenia
            5. Every Picture Tells a Story

            ASIN: B000000ISH
            Release Date: 1993-03-23

            Tracks:

            1. Ole Man Trouble
            2. Respect
            3. Change Is Gonna Come
            4. Down in the Valley
            5. I've Been Loving You Too Long
            6. Shake
            7. My Girl
            8. Wonderful World
            9. Rock Me Baby
            10. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
            11. You Don't Miss Your Water
            Otis Blue
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		Otis Blue

              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

              GeneralGeneral | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
              ASIN: B000JLSVLA
              Release Date: 2006-12-26
              Mellow Madness
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                		Mellow Madness

                Manufacturer: Sony Music UK
                ProductGroup: Music
                Binding: Audio CD
                ASIN: B000UQ2FUM

                Product Description

                1.G.Michael/Praying for Time , 2.Beverley Craven/Woman to Woman , 3.Celine Dion/Where Does My Heart Beat Now , 4.Michael Bolton/Soul Provider , 5.Julia Fordham/Where Does Time Go? , 6.Ottis Redding/These Arms of Mine , 7.Ben E King/Stand By Me , 8.Paul Young/Oh Girl , 9.Deacon Blue/When Will You Make My Telephone Ring? , 10.Gloria Estefan/Cuts Both Ways , 11.Brenda Russell/Piano in the Dark , 12. Luther Vandross/A House is not a Home , 13.EWF/Fantasy , 14.Bomb the Bass/Winter in July , 15.Emotions/Best of my Love

                R&B Music:

                1. Part III
                2. Private Dancer
                3. Remix Kingdim [Import]
                4. Respect Yourself [Import]
                5. Rose Is Still a Rose [Import]
                6. Serious
                7. Shirelles Meet the Tams [Import]
                8. Sit and Watch it Spin
                9. Slide Guitar Classics [Import]
                10. Smooth Love

                R&B Music

                r&b music

                Recommended Music:

                Music for Martians & Other Et's [Import]

                Telemann - Chamber Cantatas / Brandes · Lane · Musica Pacifica

                Souvenirs with Bonus Disc

                Music CD: Historia Musical

                Ultimate Performers [Import]

                Terre Des Hommes [Import]

                The Hostile Takeover

                That Darn Punk [Soundtrack]

                The Singing Brakeman [Box set] [Import]

                Super Fiesta: De Vallenato Clasico, Vol. 1

                The Best of Philadelphia Jazz

                The Best of Max Roach and Clifford Brown in Concert [Live]

                So What?!

                Pawns in the Game

                James Newton Howard and Friends