Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul

Certainly some solid hits, but the album plays out as one long thought without much variation. It's pretty mono-thematic and is very much "music I put on when I want to fuck", and there's nothing wrong with that. I also can't divorce the album from its association with sentimental white people dancing at weddings.

This was a fun one. At times, it's light-hearted, at times it's full of pain and sorrow... it runs the gamut in a way that most records from this era refuse to and it comes out the other end stronger for it. While Respect is weird (and a little dark) when sung by a man, it's balanced with wonderful covers of the perennial classics, My Girl, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction and Wonderful World. So much great music and misicianship on display. Easy five.

The pace, the horns, the voice: They're all so close to perfect! It's a slow but steady and energetic blues walk through songs both familiar and not. I suppose the ones I didn't know had better become known: This deserves its classic status with every cut.

One of the all-time best soul albums of all time - Otis Redding has an amazing voice and is backed up by an incredible instrumentation

Nice! This bops!

Again me saying more things about a Soul artifact like this seems silly. Some of these iconic songs honestly seem like they descended from a higher realm.

Listening to this album feels like participating in music history. Great covers. Great originals that would go on to be covered (Respect). Funky, soulful, uplifting. What else can be said? Best track: Down in the Valley

Enjoyable compilation of very good songs covered very well by Otis Redding, what more could one want on a rainy day?

I should love this. But I don't. I still feel the same as I did when I heard it as a teenager - it's somehow not what I want it to be.

One of the G. O. A. T albums, in my top 5. 10/10

Practically the definitive 60s soul album. Loaded with a few covers but every song is distinct and made his own. Long live Otis

classic rnb album. worth the listen

One of the most expressive performers of all time. Most of the songs are covers, but I'd argue - with few exceptions - these are the best versions of these songs.

I'm usually a bit underwhelmed by these kinds of albums, featuring a few classics embedded amongst a series of inessential cover versions. However, this one is a clear exception, many outstanding tracks of which a few are actually the originals (e.g., Respect!). "..Too Long" is the highlight with its all-time-great vocal, but it's all good. I will, of course, recommend the Greatest Hits but only because *all* of those hits are fabulous. Imagine if he'd lived?!

Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965) Themes: My interpretation is that Otis opens the album with a plea to be spared from pain. The inflections in his voice seem to come from a place that knows his actions are at least partially to blame for the trouble he constantly finds himself in. It’s followed by a demand for respect from his loved one as he feels under appreciated for his sacrifices in the working world. It seems that as a result, he seems to unknowingly distance his loved one as a result of his outburst. The album continues as the distance grows yet his heart grows fonder as well. He reaches a point where he feels the love become a balance between a sunk cost fallacy and him truly loving this girl and feeling that way earnestly. It seems the love is rekindled and it’s followed by a few tracks of celebration of enjoying love and life. Otis finally comes to terms that he is his own worst enemy and can’t be satisfied despite the love finally returning to him. Again, as a flawed man plagued by his actions, he is left, this time for good. He sings this very painfully and is very remorseful, but also with a tone of acceptance that has finally come to terms with his shortcomings as the other half to someone else. Notes: I knew about Respect being his original work and becoming iconic through Aretha Franklin, but I had no idea about Otis covering The Rolling Stones on this record, he does an amazing job and gives it his own spin. Score and Review: This album is an undeniable classic. Otis is a king at displaying emotion with his raw vocals and soulful crooning, the instrumentals blow you away with the trumpets being a highlight throughout the record. I’m giving it a 9/10, it’s damn near perfect, deducting a little bit as there are a few covers on here, although they work great. He also has quite a few fadeouts on here which I am not a fan of as a trend in music, few times do they work as a purposeful ending to a song in my opinion, and this record is so amazing that I think a truly definitive ending to these tracks could make them even more impactful.

Good Album Standout songs: Change Gonna Come Shake Rock me Baby

Great voice but rules are rules and you can't just do covers.

Otis's entry, which I read as my usual preliminary, summoned a "not another" on the death-in-place-crash text, and a medium wander through the "Musicians killed in aviation accidents or incidents" page, a bitty memorial to the unhealthy relationship between tour-ravaged artists and often-blitzed WW2-era pilots and their budget air bangers, with some outliers - did you know John Denver was killed by his inability to switch fuel tanks in his weird canard, which was a kit plane designed by the guy who made SpaceShipOne, which started Richard Branson's dalliance with commercial space flight? As well as blunt force trauma. This is a fine album haunted by different, sometimes better versions of its songs: Respect, Wonderful World, and Satisfaction, probably some others. I read that it was recorded at a rattle, and it has the efficient air of a record blasted out to juice some cash, mostly covers with a trio of originals, including Respect. Listened to it maybe four times, appreciated his voice and the incredible band, but it didn't cohere for me.

Love the vamping and jamming at the end of the songs. Is this the best covers album ever? Would it be better if he wasn’t doing covers and just camping and jamming. Backing band deserves credit for the jams. I found this album to be punctuated by the fade outs, songs always ended just when he was beginning to have fun—probably a radio play thing, but it’s cutting off the best part of the band and his performance each time. I think these songs would each be 7 minutes in a modern album. Love track 1, intro is on point, love that guitar sound, saved for later. Less of a fan of track 2, generic swing R&B. Voice really shines in track 3, better than the Sam Cooke original. Track 4 really swings, head bopper, would be fun to dance to, loved the skat at the end. Track 5 is another song showcasing the voice, nice waltz, hood breakdown at the end. Track 6 is swinging but kind of cookie cutter, though it includes the line, “shake it like a bowl of soup” haha. Track 7, hard to beat the vocal harmonies of the temptations on the chorus, the vibrato on “girl” is beautiful. Track 8, another cover, meh, does include the line, “I don’t know what a slide rule is for” lol, anti-intellectualism. Track 9, Nice driving blues, guitar solo in the middle was just okay, he does ask the girl to fuck him until “my back ain’t got no bones.” Track 10, don’t like this version of satisfaction, worst song on album, original is more nuanced. Track 11, nice ballad, chill, FADE OUTS!!

This is pretty cool, just that oldies-style blues stuff. But like heaps of music with this writing/production etc, it's also that bit too dated for me to honestly rate it in 2021. 3/5?

This album was exactly what I was hoping to find in this project: Excellent music I would never have considered thoroughly listening to otherwise. I spend the last day discovering the Soul genre and countless fantastic artists I had heard of, but never actually listened to. Is this particular album one of the greatest of all time? I have no idea, but it certainly is pretty great, and I'll give it five stars just for getting me interested in this huge part of music history that I had'nt been too invested in before.

This album inspired so much future music, amazing listen and Otis Redding just absolutely brings all the heart, all the soul….10/10 will listen again.

One of my all time favourite voices, phenomenal singer. Such an enjoyable record of classic soul hits. Easy 5 star

I love Otis Redding but 99% of the time I am listening to his live recordings, which tend to be higher energy and more emotionally urgent than this is. Still, this album has a fine array of tunes and as always his backing band is stellar, notwithstanding that the intonation on Steve Cropper's guitar sounds a little off in a couple of spots. But who cares about pitch when you got soul and this album gives you lotsa soul. I love hearing Otis cover Sam Cooke, too. Still, if you like this? Do yourself a favor and check out his Live in Europe and Monterey Pop Festival recordings - that's where the real heavy sh*t goes down!

Beautiful Soul album

I have risen from the sea of schoolwork. And blues was really what was needed. A Change is Gonna Come is good ofc. I thought this would have been boring and same all around, but i think there was enough variety to keep me interested. And yall know im a sucker for trumpets...

Хорошо

Great stuff.

This is just pure brilliance

Creo que nunca antes había escuchado a Otis Redding, y debo admitir que quedé encantado. Sus apasionantes interpretaciones de composiciones soul y R&B clásicas me dejaron boquiabierto. La producción se escucha fresca, a la vez, con un especial énfasis en la guitarra y los bronces, los cuales crean divertidos juegos sonoros que dejan a quien lo escucha más que hipnotizado. Puedo escuchar las cosas que inspiraron a que Lennon hiciera su discografía solista, aunque no sé si lo sacó de este artista en específico. De todas formas, escúchelo, es sumamente recomendable.

Top soul album. They may be covers, but sound perfect when Otis sings. 5/5

Bei Cover Versionen bin ich skeptisch. Bei Otis blue noch mehr. "Satisfaction" von den Rolling Stones ist so übermächtig, wer singt das nach? Aber alleine schon an diesem Song erkennt man, wieviele Farben ein Künstler in seiner Stimme haben kann. Otis Redding brilliert mit seinem Gesang auch zwischen den Zeilen und die Arrangements sind die Kräuter, die jedes Essen noch etwas verfeinern oder Drive geben.

From the heart! Of course, you get Isaac H, Booker T, and all those other guys together on something, it’s about guaranteed to be badass. One of those that finishes and you might as well just start it over.

Off to a great start

Amazing voice and some great versions of classic songs. 5/5

One of the easiest five star reviews I've had.

I never heard of the last song: You Don't Miss Your Water but I really liked it.

What a voice. Not a thing wrong with this Fav Songs: Change Gonna Come, My Girl, Rock Me Baby

His voice really was something. Loved the idea of an album of very popular songs at the time. Satisfaction was quite a pleasant surprise

A phenomenon talent at the top of his game. Great from start to finish.

4.8

Soul personified.

Felt every word

real good

godinesh

OTIS!

This sparked joy.

Amazing

Possibly the quintessential soul album. Even with being roughly 50% covers this albums simple yet effective delivery makes you want more.

Stone cold, drop dead classic. One of the greatest singers and one of the best albums. I mean, this guy wrote 'Respect' but also covered Smokey, Roling Stones and Sam Cooke with panache all to himself.

**Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul** is Otis Redding's third studio album, released in 1965. It’s considered one of the most iconic albums in the soul genre and is a landmark in Redding's career. The album showcases his dynamic voice and ability to translate deep emotions into music. In this review, we'll dive into the lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, and weigh its pros and cons. ### 1. Lyrics The lyrical content of **Otis Blue** reflects the raw, heartfelt nature of 1960s soul music. Many songs focus on love, longing, heartbreak, and resilience, presented with an honesty and directness that are key to soul music's appeal. Redding's approach to the lyrics combines personal vulnerability with a commanding delivery. For example, in "I've Been Loving You Too Long," he captures the agony of a relationship at risk of falling apart. The lyrics, "My love is growing stronger as you become a habit to me," convey a desperate clinging to love, and Redding’s vocal delivery brings an urgency to the emotional weight of the words. Another standout is "Respect," which was later famously covered by Aretha Franklin. Redding's original version, though not as overtly empowering as Franklin's rendition, carries a certain grittiness. The lyrics' demand for respect is as much about the complexities of romantic relationships as it is about self-worth. Redding uses repetition to emphasize the message, reinforcing the emotional power of the word "respect" each time it’s delivered. Some lyrics are straightforward and raw, like in "Shake," where Redding emphasizes the joyous side of life. The words here are minimalistic, using simple calls for dance and movement, which aligns with the carefree rhythm and serves as an effective counterpoint to the more melancholy tracks. However, in certain moments, the album’s lyrical content does lean on clichés of the genre, occasionally sacrificing depth for emotional immediacy. This can make some tracks feel less nuanced in their exploration of themes compared to others. ### 2. Music The musical arrangements on **Otis Blue** are a perfect blend of R&B, soul, and a touch of gospel. Backed by the legendary Stax house band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, the instrumentation is tight and expressive, providing a solid foundation for Redding's powerful voice. The album's music is characterized by its rhythmically dynamic grooves, punchy brass sections, and soulful guitar lines, which create a classic Southern soul sound. Songs like "Ole Man Trouble" feature a slower, bluesy progression with a prominent bass line that complements Redding’s expressive vocals. The arrangement allows space for his voice to carry the emotional depth of the lyrics, with the horns providing a somber yet stirring backdrop. In contrast, "Satisfaction" (Redding’s cover of the Rolling Stones classic) transforms the rock original into a full-blown soul anthem. He strips down the song to its essentials and builds it back up with brass-heavy orchestration, a driving rhythm section, and gritty vocal delivery. This ability to take a well-known song and reinvent it with his unique style demonstrates Redding’s musicality. "Change Gonna Come," a cover of Sam Cooke's classic, is another highlight, where the blend of orchestral strings and horns adds a poignant beauty to Redding's soulful interpretation. The production layers his voice over a lush instrumental background, making it a transcendent listening experience. However, at times the album’s musical style doesn’t vary significantly from track to track, making some songs blend into each other, especially for listeners who aren’t deeply familiar with the nuances of 1960s soul music. While this consistency can be seen as a strength in delivering a cohesive sound, it could also be viewed as a limitation in terms of musical diversity. ### 3. Production The album was recorded in a 24-hour session at Stax Studios in Memphis, which contributes to its raw, live feel. Produced by Jim Stewart, **Otis Blue** maintains a balance between polished sound and rawness that allows the emotion to remain front and center. The production leans heavily on capturing Redding's live energy, resulting in a sound that feels immediate and authentic. The decision to record the album quickly adds to the spontaneity and passion found throughout the tracks. There is minimal studio trickery, which was a typical production style for Stax Records, favoring a more organic approach. The simplicity in production shines through in the clarity of the instruments and the upfront placement of Redding's vocals in the mix. The band’s rhythm section remains tight and in sync, and the punchy horn arrangements provide an energetic boost, particularly in tracks like "Shake" and "Satisfaction." However, the fast recording process and relatively simple production techniques mean that some tracks lack the sonic depth found in other soul records from the same era. There are moments where the sound feels somewhat constrained, and the overall tonal palette doesn’t quite push the boundaries of what the genre was capable of at the time. While this straightforwardness works in favor of capturing a live feel, it might limit the album’s appeal for those seeking more intricate production qualities. ### 4. Themes The themes explored in **Otis Blue** primarily revolve around love, loss, and the pursuit of happiness, which are core to soul music. Each track presents a different facet of these universal experiences, whether it's longing in "I've Been Loving You Too Long," jubilance in "Shake," or a yearning for respect and understanding in "Respect." The album also delves into social commentary, albeit subtly. For instance, "A Change Is Gonna Come" reflects the hope and struggle of the civil rights movement of the time. While Redding’s version doesn’t carry the same explicit social weight as Sam Cooke’s original, his soulful interpretation still resonates with a sense of shared struggle and hope for progress. The themes of perseverance in the face of adversity emerge as a subtle yet powerful undercurrent throughout the album. Moreover, the inclusion of covers on **Otis Blue** reveals a theme of paying homage to Redding’s influences, from Sam Cooke to the Rolling Stones. This demonstrates his range as a vocalist, able to reinterpret rock, blues, and soul in his unique style. The diversity of these selections gives insight into the interwoven nature of genres during that period, particularly how soul music was a melting pot of different styles. ### 5. Influence **Otis Blue** is often cited as one of the greatest soul albums of all time and played a significant role in solidifying Otis Redding's legacy. Its impact extends beyond the genre, influencing musicians across rock, pop, and R&B. The album’s success helped bring Southern soul music to a broader audience, bridging cultural and racial divides through its raw emotion and universal themes. The album inspired countless artists, from contemporaries like Aretha Franklin, who famously covered "Respect," to later musicians such as Bruce Springsteen and Janis Joplin, who admired Redding's ability to convey deep emotion. Redding's impassioned style became a benchmark for soul and blues singers, setting a high standard for emotional expressiveness in popular music. The covers on the album, especially "Satisfaction," showed how soul could reinterpret and even rival rock music in intensity. This helped pave the way for a greater crossover between genres, with soul artists becoming recognized not only within their own field but also influencing the rock and pop scenes. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** - **Emotional Depth:** The album is characterized by its raw emotional power. Redding's voice carries the weight of each song's theme with authenticity, which has made it timeless. - **Strong Musical Arrangements:** The backing band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, provides solid support, with tight rhythm sections and brass arrangements that elevate the songs. - **Variety of Covers and Originals:** The mixture of original tracks and covers allows Redding to showcase his range while paying tribute to his influences. - **Influential Impact:** The album’s influence on soul music and beyond is undeniable, setting a standard for emotive singing and powerful vocal performances. - **Live Energy:** The production captures the feel of a live performance, making the album dynamic and immersive. **Cons:** - **Lack of Musical Diversity:** While the album is cohesive, some tracks sound similar, with little variation in tempo and style. This may lead to a less engaging experience for some listeners. - **Production Limitations:** The fast recording process and straightforward production style mean that some songs lack sonic depth, which could have enhanced the album’s emotional impact. - **Reliance on Covers:** Nearly half the album consists of cover songs, which, while well-executed, means there is less original material to showcase Redding’s songwriting abilities. ### Conclusion **Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul** stands as a seminal album in soul music history, representing the peak of Otis Redding's artistry. Its blend of emotional depth, powerful vocal performances, and tight musical arrangements contribute to its status as a classic. While the album has a few limitations in terms of musical variety and production depth, these do not significantly detract from its overall impact. The album’s influence extends far beyond its time, continuing to inspire musicians across genres. It serves not only as a testament to Redding's immense talent but also as a cornerstone of the soul genre, embodying the spirit and emotional resonance that defines the best of 1960s music.

This is elite. It is such a tragedy that Otis Redding died so young. He was so incredibly talented. This album is practically flawless. “Ole Man Trouble” and “You Don’t Miss Your Water” were done so beautifully that it almost brought me to tears. Not only is his voice at its best here, he has some of the best musicians playing on these tracks. I don’t always love covers, but he elevates and innovates so many of them that I can’t help but like them. Just an absolutely incredible album top to bottom.

Incredible.

Great album. A few really good versions of other classics from the era.

Love, soulful

Glorious! Love the classics, but the deep cuts are the reason to listen

I can't thank my mother enough for introducing me to Otis Redding and other Soul/Blues/Motown artists at such a young age. My mother even named our cockatiel Otis; great bird. Otis Redding has been such a staple in my life and he continues to be. This record carries so much weight in the gravity of the songs he sings and how he puts his own touch on each of these classics. His voice presents such pain, but also such hope. He can bring me to tears with his rendition of Sam Cooke's "Change Gonna Come" and bring me to my feet with "Shake." His voice is unmistakable, his passion is impenetrable, his legend is forever. Another one taken from this world too soon, but he will never be forgotten.

The high trumpets at the end of a change is gonna come made me change If you're doing mostly covers, at least make them your own like this. Looking at you beatles.

One way that God likes to tell musicians that he really likes their music is to have them die in a plane crash. No skips at all, the vocal performance here is insane. I got goosebumps when My Girl came on, how can I give this anything except a 5?

What an amazing listen! I apologise for submit my review late, I did it yesterday and totally forgot to hit submit this morning. Every song was so rich and tuneful. Otis really does have one of the most iconic voices. I found that he recorded Dock of the bay just 3 days before tragically passing in a plane crash. So sad but meaningful that he got to record his magnum opus just before going. Although that track didn’t make this album, A Change is Gonna Come, Down In The Valley, My Girl, and his far superior version of Can’t Get No Satisfaction all more than made up for its absence. This one brought light to my Thursday morning, and for that it deserves the highest praise :)

Duh.

Amazing album and music. Great voice

Legend

Otis Redding fucks bro

Damn, Otis! What an absolutely smooth voice, but he wielded forcefulness, too. He wasn't afraid to abuse his voice, which allowed him to dabble in funk and R&B. The way he held his notes when singing a soulful song? I tell ya, that voice was made to sing the blues and soul music. Redding did exactly what I love with covers: he made them his own. His version of these songs may not be the most well known, yet he makes them different and--dare I say it--funky. I've never heard "Satisfaction" with horns! I didn't think any other version of "A Change Is Gonna Come" could compete with Sam Cooke's, but somehow there's more emotions, more sorrow, more vulnerability. Redding covers several Cooke songs, which must have been purposeful with Cooke's death months prior the album's release. "Shake" is SO fun--and with those trumpets? And Redding covers Cooke's "Wonderful World" and, with a slower tempo, somehow out-souls the King of Soul! I'm not sure I knew that "Respect" was originally Redding's! I enjoyed hearing the original, but this song is more impactful coming from a Black woman. He can't compete with Aretha, not that he'd try.

Amazing voice

What a glee-inducing trip this album was. Glad to have been introduced to it!

Soul stirring

What a voice. Such feeling he puts into every song. Really brings each song to life. Superb

Now we’re talkin’. Top to bottom this is killer, didn’t skip a single track. Five stars ⭐️

The woman on the cover of this album is not Otis Redding.

I'm vibing to this a lot more than I thought I would. I'm not really a big endorser of cover albums, especially on a list like this, but this does feel special and stands out significantly. Shiiiiiiiiiit, and the album gets better as it goes on. The middle songs are crazy good. I don't love that this is a cover album, but this may be one of the best blues cover albums ever? I'm not actually qualified enough to comment on that, but I really enjoyed this from beginning to end. Favorite Song(s): Down in the Valley, Shake, Wonderful World

Idk why but I never allowed myself to think that covers were a thing before I started listening to music. I know, stupid but here we are. This album is 5 stars to me not only because it’s Otis Redding & his phenomenal voice but also because how cool it is to think what someone who was in his 20s in 1965 was inspired by. You get a sense of the person and what music at the time resonated with them. Really cool stuff when you think about it.

Just when you think this list is complete BS and you want to Chuck the whole thing it gives you Loretta Lynn and Otis Redding in back to back days!! Being from the Macon GA area I am very familiar with Redding and smooth Soul sounds. An absolute delight to listen to, especially original versions of songs made famous by other acts.

So many of the classics, but no one does it better than Otis with his beautiful soulful voice. Loved this album.

The vibe: You just set foot into a dark and smoky Georgia dive bar on a busy Saturday night

Nostalgic

Incredible biased review on this one. Love it!

Love his voice. The ballads are my favorite

I like all the souls records lately. Otis is such a legend and so many classics in here. 10/5

He’s incredible. favorite is I’ve been loving you too long

When Otis Redding was asked to record a duets album with Carla Thomas, he said “Well, hey, you from Memphis, you from Tennessee, you can hang". The man knew what was up. If you haven’t watched the documentary “Stax: Soulsville USA”, I would highly recommend it. The talent gathered in that particular place at that particular time is mind-boggling. From Wikipedia: Except for one track, Otis Blue was recorded in the span of 24 hours from July 9 to 10, 1965, at the Stax recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee. As with Redding's previous records, he was backed by the Stax house band Booker T. & the M.G.'s, a horn section featuring members of the Mar-Keys and the Memphis Horns, and pianist Isaac Hayes Insane. Not only the personnel, but also to have knocked almost all of these songs out in 24 hours. I think the covers of “My Girl” and “Wonderful World” suffer by comparison to the originals, but if that is the worst thing you can say about an album then you are clearly discussing one of the greatest collections of songs in the history of pop/soul/R&B. This album is a masterpiece.

One of the defining albums of ’60s soul! Otis, with the backing band from Stax again. Booker T, Donald Dunn, Isaac Hayes, Steve Cropper; a literal who’s who of the genre. This is musical perfection.

Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul is Redding's third album, and regarded as his best work. This collection of songs have all become soul/R&B classics. Redding's incredible voice makes this collection of songs - eight of eleven of which are covers - memorable renditions. Otis Blue includes some of Redding's best known songs, like "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and "Respect," (a Redding song made more famous by Aretha Franklin's cover).

5 stars

That voice! There's nothing more soulful than when Otis sings. The backing band was also legendary including Cropper, Booker T., Isaac Hayes and Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass. This album will be on heavy rotation on my player. Liked Songs Added: - Respect - Wonderful World - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Otis Redding has been tied with Björk as my all-time favorite singer for a long time. No matter how many times I’ve listened to their songs, they still give me chills. While I’m grateful to have seen Björk live a few times, going back in time to see Otis perform would be the ultimate fantasy. He wasn’t just a phenomenal performer; he was also an incredible songwriter. From Otis Blue, tracks like "Ole Man Trouble," "Respect," and "I’ve Been Loving You Too Long" showcase his songwriting prowess, and they’re all standout hits. Otis’s vocal delivery is masterful—always controlled yet seemingly on the verge of losing that control, with a dynamic range that allows him to be both powerful and tender. My favorite song of his is "I’ve Got Dreams to Remember," but from this album, "I’ve Been Loving You Too Long" stands out. The way Otis conveys heartache feels like he can reach into your core and pull those emotions out. Redding’s band is exceptional, providing a solid foundation that allows Otis to explore the songs fully. As a fellow guitar player, I’ve been deeply influenced by Steve Cropper’s guitar work. Overall, Otis Redding’s work deserves nothing less than a 5, and that’s exactly what I’m giving him.

Today I learned that Otis Redding wrote and originally sang "Respect." For an album with so many covers, nothing feels out of place. I couldn't imagine anyone could sing "Change Gonna Come" as well as Sam Cooke, but Otis really made it his own. Each of these slow songs have that "Dock of the Bay" laid back with a paper fan in the heat of summer sippin' lemonade feel. With a soulful voice both gritty and longing, Otis Redding knows how to use his voice to fulfill every emotion he wants.

Soul

Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul (often referred to simply as Otis Blue) is the third studio album by Otis Redding, originally released in 1965. Soul legend Sam Cooke died several months before this album was made. The world was in need of some new energy in soul music, and they were about to get one. Although this album is mostly covers, Redding just does them so well. It certainly helped that the Stax records house band at the time was Booker T and the MGs! The songs can range from party tracks to songs that make you think about your ex. This ended up being a huge crossover hit for Redding, and the song "Respect" would later become even more famous from Aretha Franklin's cover. This record marked a great start to a way-too-short career.

10/10

He sure does

I loved this album, cool to hear how it influenced some of the modern soul artists I listen to like Leon Bridges and Bruno Major. 9/10, or since it's 5 stars that's 4.5/5 so ill round up to 5 stars

Amazing album

Never heard this before, and want to re-listen!

Otis Redding can do in wrong. Loved every minute of this soulful ride.

Woah this album is awesome. I love his voice and the horns. Definitely adding this to my regular rotation.

This man is the real sole man

Just perfect

This album made my ears smile.