Track Listing

1. Ole Man Trouble
2. Respect
3. Change Gonna Come
4. Down In The Valley
5. 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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15087 in Music
• Released on: 1992-12-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
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 11 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

CD Description
Many people's choice as their favourite Otis Redding album,much of OTIS BLUE finds the quintessential soul singer in atypically sensitive mode. Up until its release he'd been regarded as something of an R&B shouter in the Wilson Pickett mould, and he doesn't disappoint fans of this earlier incarnation with typically energetic versions of "Respect", "Shake"and "Satisfaction".
But it's the album opener, "Ole ManTrouble" that's a sign of Redding's emerging more mature, reflective side that was to culminate in the posthumous "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay", while the heartbreaking "I've Been Loving You Too Long" remains one of his, and perhaps soul music's, greatest performances. He is, of course, accompanied throughout by the classic MG's lineup which, as always, is the perfect foil for his distinctive style. OTIS BLUE finds Otis Redding and '60s soul at their respective artistic peaks.

Customer Reviews

True Blue
Outside of an anthology or greatest hits package, this is the Otis Redding disc to own. Eight of the eleven selections are cover tunes, but Otis and crew attack the material with such passion and precision that it escapes the usual haphazard feel of a full length record slapped together around a few strong singles. There's three Sam Cooke numbers, ("Wonderful World," "Shake," and the incredible "A Change Is Gonna Come"), a fabulous rendition of Solomon Burke's "Down in the Valley," B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby," William Bell's "You Don't Miss Your Water," and the Motown hit, "My Girl," done Stax-Volt style. When Otis released his blistering take on "Satisfaction" in early 1966, many thought that the Rolling Stones had gotten the song from him instead of the other way around. The three originals show Otis in top songwriting form with "Respect" (later turned out by Aretha Franklin), "Ole Man Trouble," and the exceptional ballad "I've Been Loving You Too Long." The Big O is of course backed up by the always impressive Stax house band Booker T. & The MG's, augmented by horn players from the Mar-Keys and Isaac Hayes on keyboards (who often played with the group whenever Booker T. was away at school). Without question, this is an essential Otis Redding CD, a classic Stax release, and a milestone of the soul genre in the 1960's. Follow this one with the aptly named "Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul: Complete & Unbelievable."

simply the best soul album ever
I have just stumbled upon OTIS BLUE on Amazon.I suddenly remembered that it was the first L.P. I bought.Hearing "MY GIRL"as a single I just had to hear more of this incredible singing voice.I was not disappointed,and this album remains one of my favourites.I am looking forward to hearing it again on C.D.

OTIS BLUE: REAL SOUL
If you really want to know the meaning of Soul then listen to this album by Otis. This album shows how his rapidly developing talent had matured into excellent writing on his own songs such as "Ole Man Trouble", "Respect" and his biggest hit "I've Been Loving You Too Long".

Even the usual covers you get on most albums are delivered by Otis with that feeling of Soul which enhances how they were done by the original artists. Just see what I mean by his versions of " Change Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, "My Girl" by Smokey Robinson, which was a hit for the Temptations, and so on.

One of the reasons the music on this album is so good, is that Otis was a multi talented artist who could sing, play several instruments and at around this time he was becomming a producer. So he could easily demonstrate to the musicians exactly what he wanted.

Here he is in control, because he makes the musicians do what he wants in order to put across the feelings he expresses with his excellent voice. Now off course for this to be successful he needs outstanding musicians and here he has them in the form of Stax's house band Booker T and The MG's and the horns of The Mar-Keys, which together makes a formidable combination.

This is a special album because most times I have to play it twice, as it brings back memories of life when I first heard it back in 1965 and memories which are still here today. I just can't get enough of it. Every track is special. So if you're a Otis fan like me then this is a must for your collection. If you're new to Soul music then this is an enjoyable road to begin and especially good to stimulate your curiosity of Otis's other works of art. So sit back and enjoy the Otis experience of real Soul.