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.

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.

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.

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

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

Nice! This bops!

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.

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.

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

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'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.

classic rnb album. worth the listen

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.

Meio repetitivo mas músicas muito boas, já conhecia My Girl mas acho que todo mundo conhece essa, não tem como dar menos que 5 estrelas pra esse álbum que mesmo que eu não escutaria todos os dias mas é extremamente bom!

nothing but good things to say. there's something really peaceful and healing about listening to heartfelt, powerful music like this in the quiet of night or on an early morning.

All hits, no whammies. Such a soulful voice.

This album came out 60 years ago this week! Shocking. It's extremely good though.

24/09/2025 I didn't realise Otis had done so much music that I actually know. What a guy, what a hero, what an album. Spotify listeners: 8.6 million

Unbelievable transcendent performance by one of the truly great greats. The Stax band is pure smoke, Otis is on top of them all, and the songs are killer: the trifecta of Cooke tribute numbers and his three originals crush. You can make a case this is the greatest soul album ever made. The universe was utterly robbed when he died in that plane crash. No number of stars is enough.

Otis Redding's voice goes in and out like a radio broadcast, but somehow never loses its power, its consequence, its relatability. For a little more than thirty minutes, the great soul innovator has the right-of-way, taking you to every locale the genre can go. But what makes this particular record so intensely vital is that four of the eleven covers have come to be associated w/ other artists, and yet not for one second are you doubtful of Redding's ability to transcend the canonization of those tracks. 'Respect' is Aretha's, 'A Change Is Gonna Come' is Sam Cooke's, 'My Girl' is The Temptations's, and 'Satisfaction' is The Stones's, but Otis's versions aren't just up to par, they're standards of their own, epitomizing that tragically truncated career.

I believe that Otis Redding was one of those rare talents that arrives only once in a lifetime, which makes his death at age 26 even more tragic. His voice was incomparable and he was a performer of tremendous energy and passion. There was, and never will be, anyone else like him. That makes anything that he recorded worthy of a listen but this album hits all the right notes. When you combine his voice with an outstanding collection of songs, both originals and covers, and have Booker T. & the M.G.'s as the band behind him, you can't go wrong. This album is such a joy to listen to. I couldn't love it more than I do.

Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul I have very strong memories of listening to this on my headphones in the library at Durham, maybe in the 2nd year. It was a bit of a favourite back then but I haven’t listened in a good while, so it’s nice to revisit now. He’s possibly my favourite singer of all time, and he’s matched brilliantly to Stax, Booker T and the Mgs and The Memphis Horns/Mar-keys, their country inflected southern soul grit complements his rasp and tenderness perfectly. As amazing as the Funk Brothers and Motown were, I don't think he would have sounded nearly as good with them as he does with the MGs. Steve Cropper is excellent here, as is Booker T and Donald Dunn, but Al Jackson in particular is superb, I just really love his drumming and how well he hits the snare on something like Respect. I love Ole Man Trouble, it's got such a sweet bluesyness and countryness to go with the yearning soul vocal and contemplative lyrics. Aretha may have made Respect hers, but I do love the energy of this version. Sam Cooke’s original is great of course, but I love Otis’s version of A Change is Gonna Come, the doggedness, frustration and perseverance in his voice is incredible. Again he makes Down in the Valley his own, the band are brilliant, giving it a gravelly, hypnotic groove. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long is the standout for me, Booker T’s piano is superbly emotive and it’s another fantastic, pleading, powerful vocal. Shake is a great soul stomper (with an abrupt fade out) and although My Girl is so ubiquitous now, it had been out for less than a year when he recorded it. Al Jackson is great on this and it’s a very nice version with another superb vocal. Similarly Wonderful World is another nice version of the original with excellent vocals. The interplay of Steve Cropper and Otis on Rock Me Baby is mesmerizingly fantastic, its a superb version. Love Satisfaction, bringing it back to its original Otis inspiration and giving it a frenzied and chaotic soul workout. Banger. And You Don’t Miss Your Water ends things brilliantly, another superb vocal and excellent horns. I don't think there are many 60s soul albums to match this, the ebb and flow between the ballads and foot stompers, the grit, rasp, tenderness and feeling in his voice and the superb playing. An easy 5. 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 Playlist submission: I’ve Been Loving You Too Long

I love this. My favorite type of music to come from the 60s and Redding is so good.

An absolute classic. So many good songs. Listened to this multiple times today.

Amazing horns. Amazing voice. Masterful album.

Otis is an automatic 5 star, no matter what

Soul! Great!

Sex stjörnu plata hjá mér. Sturlaður hljóðfæraleikur og fullkomin soul rödd hjá Otis. Ekkert slappt lag og þótt lánslögin séu nokkur finnst mér hann gera þau sín og original lögin eru bara það góð líka. Shake betra en hjá Cooke.

powerful

One of the few Cassettes in my first car (Renault 5!) brings back memories of the summer of 88, fun album and very happy to have heard it again

Part of the sound track to our lazy Saturdays . Great album I listened to it twice today.

Excellent day for it.

a throwback for me, felt possessed by joy as I sang the lyrics and rediscovered this record

Pretty damn good tunes all around, with a wonderful voice to accompany it.

Now it's a shame that this is all the Otis Redding we're gonna get. Some of these covers are not strictly necessary listening but the originals are interesting in the context of their covers getting even more fame. And still everything is performed in his own fresh style. One to sit back and relax to.

This was a fun one! I enjoyed this :) I saved "My Girl" and "A Change Is Gonna Come"

Proper 60s soul done proper.

Een bak covers, maar wel op een lekkere manier gebracht. Een tikkeltje makkelijk eigenlijk, maar wel kwalitatief goed. Goede stem. Als ik een zoon had gekregen had ik hem denk ik Otis genoemd. Of Fender. Puur voor de knikjes die je dan krijgt op het schoolplein, van andere enigszins onderlegde ouders die denken: Zo, die man ademt muziek. Maargoed, misschien krijg ik die knikjes ook wel als ik ons Arethatje ga afleveren. In z'n genre vind ik dit wel een goed album. Drie sterren is te weinig, vijf is overdreven. Snelle rekenaars weten dan waar ik op uit kom.

Classic Soul vibes from one of the best! Killer song selection (mostly covers) and the backing band smokes( Booker T & the M.G.s)! I never heard this album but I will be playing it again!! 4 stars

Succulent.

8.5/10 Favorite Track: “A Change Is Gonna Come” Otis Blue is raw feeling dressed in sharp arrangements. Redding’s voice carries every track like it is the last thing he will ever sing. Whether he is pleading, shouting, or barely holding it together, there is no distance between the emotion and the mic. His cover of “A Change Is Gonna Come” does not just honor Sam Cooke’s original, it tears it open and bleeds through every note. The album jumps between pain and joy without ever losing momentum.

Pleasant sound, the originals stand up to the covers, and there are three Sam Cooke songs on here so it's made with taste

Fantastic voice and some brilliant songs. Shame Sam Cooke had already done the definitive versions, which renders these versions inferior, though still great. Respect and I've been lovin' you too long are classics, as is My girl..

Booker T. & The M.G.'s definitely sound better with a frontman and horns. Otis Redding possessed one of the most emotive, multifaceted singing voices recorded music has ever seen. on Otis Blue, he digs in hard on just about every cut, squeezing every ounce of meaning from each lyric with a kind of controlled chaos. most of the material is cover songs, with a particular focus on the music of the then-recently-deceased Sam Cooke; Redding's versions of "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "Wonderful World" are particularly strong, every bit as worthwhile as Cooke's. there's also "Respect," a Redding composition which Aretha Franklin would later modify and record herself, with her version becoming her signature song, and a major feminist anthem to boot. I enjoy the novelty of hearing such a different arrangement in Redding's master version, but there's no question that Franklin's version, with the addition of the "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" break and a whole lot more, is much more definitive. that being said, I might like Redding's version of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" more than The Rolling Stones's original. a bit hard to say this soon. the overall highlight of the album is another Redding original, the magnificent slow burner "I've Been Loving You Too Long." strong 8/10.

Already love otis, so a nice listen

This was fantastic

I was about to rate this 3 stars, just felt it was nothing special, but at the live versions, this album finally came alive. The recorded versions just don't have the passion that makes Otis Redding what he is. At first, I would've said Sam Cooke sang it better, but Sam Cooke is similar for me in that his singing is much better live than recorded. Comparing Redding's live versions of Cooke's music, I think they are equally good, with each having their signature styles. I've always appreciated Redding's passion that he brings into his music. He has a distinctive style, and it's fun to hear his unique spin on these covers.

8, the lyrics are superb although idk what he's singing about lmao,

What a voice on this guy. Although Aretha does Respect better.

This album cooked from start to finish. Reading about Otis Redding after was.....brutal. Did not realize his best song was posthumous. But this album had a BUNCH of hits, and now I have to figure out whether he wrote them or he didn't. Either way, stellar

Mjög góð plata.

Classic covers here

solid

A great soul album from one of the legends of the genre. Aretha Franklin's version of "Respect" blows the original out of the water though.

Hell, I don't think most of us need to listen to this to know it's a classic. He's a master and a unique gem.

Great blues. Classic.

A lot of really good, classic songs by Otis, like Respect, My Girl, Wonderful World and (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction. Overall a very good album.

Delightful music, love his voice.

Loved it … great songs performed by one of the greatest soul singers of all time. What more do you want?

Classic songs. Classic voice.

Another bright star lost too early. This was good and he was clearly talented.

Good stuff.

The Watch the Throne Otis sample is not on this album but a few parts did sound like it. Pretty good, not bad for doing work. 30 minutes, 11 songs, can't complain.

Verg good. There is a reason rappers still make songs about Otis. 4/5

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

So soulful! Didn’t love Respect but just because I’m used to Aretha.

Loved the beginning, but then fell of and didn't really seem like a cohesive record. I dont know when the album finished and suggested song sbegan to play. Really liked "A Change is Gonna Come" and "Down in the Valley."

Enjoyed. Interesting takes on a couple of songs I knew - and I was surprised to find that "Respect" is one I knew.

Wonderful! Otis' voice has such emotion in it, weaving from buttery to gritty within the same track. I did not know browsing Wikipedia while listening to this album that Otis died two years after making this album, in a plane crash at age 26. What a tragedy; he was truly a master of the craft.

not really a fan, music is chill but not my type

A Change Is Gonna Come is a soul classic. Some solid covers but its so foundational that it comes off as sort of bland?

Didn't know them good.

Ooh I'm enjoying chilling out to a bit of Otis this morning will probably add this to my library and give it another listen

Classiconi soul

Some nice songs, are they covers or his songs? Also the respect song is a bit weird tbh

wow, that many classics. he seems to be where the threads come together

3.5

This was OK, but most of the best songs weren't by Otis - except "Respect" which I enjoyed - almost as much as the Aretha Franklin version.

Not really my thing but I aknowledge it's good.

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

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?

A change is coming

That voice!! Absolutely loved this album. These versions of Change Gonna Come and I’ve Been Loving You Too Long are stunning… but so is the rest

Love it. Own It.

I like it, it's fun.

These songs and performances are great. They are the best versions of these songs as well, including Satisfaction. This is a record that I can put on anytime and it’s always a good choice.

You know someone's good when even their album full of cover songs is better than what some people crank out over their whole careers.

First listened to this in mid 70s when I fell out of love with the music being pushed out at the time, started listening to Blues, Rock and Roll and 60s Soul and this along with live at Monterey was an absolute stand out for me

Beautiful

Loved it!! Love this type of artist and music

Otis Redding (mainly) covering classics. How can you go wrong?

a classic soul album from otis redding, a man who poured blood sweat and tears when he sung. his unfortunately short career is full of gems like this one here. this album, while it lacks a bit of polish compared to other pop music at the time, is full of... well... soul! some performers sing, some belt, but otis is on another level, singing some original tracks as well as popular songs from the era. this man clearly respects the craft and performs at such a degree nobody else can. despite only being in his 20s when the album was recorded, you'd assume he'd been singing this music for at least a few decades. what a voice.

Wonderful. Such a voice. A classic album.

No. 16 The pace, the horns, the voice: They're all so close to perfect!!!

Love Otis Redding, great album.