Search - Otis Redding :: Sittin on the Dock of the Bay & Other Hits

Great Work by an Influential Soul Singer

Stephanie DePue | Carolina Beach, NC USA | 04/21/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The single "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay" was recorded by the late, great Otis Redding three days before his death. (The version released includes his famous whistled last verse; he hadn't written the words yet, but intended to soon). The Georgia-born Redding, who left us, tragically, way too young at 26, in a crash of his private plane, was an influential singer/songwriter. He was a practitioner of gospel-derived, deepest fried southern soul, and a producer of the best music Memphis-based Stax/Volt could offer, with its wailing horns, and strong, pounding house band, Steve Cropper's Booker T and the MGs, ("Green Onions"). Redding's instrument, his voice, was an exemplar of soul: hoarse, passionate and gritty, yet he could produce aching ballads, and party tunes that still carried emotional content.



Now, Memphis has produced many great musicians. Sam Phillips' Sun Studio, launched in February 1952, boasted Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison. Beale Street started BB King's career. And then there was Stax/Volt, home to Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Johnnie Taylor and Rufus Thomas.



Otis, of course, wrote the album's title tune, and it was his biggest hit, although it was posthumously released. He also wrote "Respect," a big hit for Aretha Franklin. However, Redding's biggest, mainstream hit while alive was "Tramp," a duet with Carla Thomas. Otis, of course, was a man of many talents, and broad range (he co-wrote many songs with Steve Cropper), but he didn't have much of a sense of humor: Carla Thomas (daughter of Rufus) brings hers to that exuberant, exultant, corn pone flavored call and response number. "Respect" and "Tramp" are not on this album. Be that as it may, on this record, you get several more wonderful songs including the yearning "I Love You More than Words can Say," and "Just One More Day," and some great rockers: "I Can't Turn You Loose," "Love Man," (Sam and Dave's biggest hit), and "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," the James Brown hit.



Funny, many years ago now, when I lived in England, a pompous young man in the music business, who lived next door, came wandering into the cottage and found me lying on the floor, listening to this record. He announced that the floor was for walking upon or standing upon, not for lying on, and I was dating myself listening to Otis Redding: the musical smart set was now listening to Al Green. Now I respect and honor Al Green's music, but I will always listen to this record by Otis, and I don't care if it does date me. If you feel the same about Otis's music, you need it. And if you're not familiar with the man and his music, just take a listen, and you, too, will be a fan.





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Sittin on the Dock of the Bay

Brenda D. Hill | usa | 02/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great music to listen to. Great to listen cookout with friends and family. Love Otis Redding songs."