First off, I can't believe that I haven't really written about the recent deluxe reissue of Otis Redding's Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul. I will talk about it on an upcoming OutQ show for sure.The original album is a total classic, one of the best albums you could ever buy, one of the best things you could ever spend money on. The comination of gospel singing with popular music and rock and roll is totally taken for granted these days, but here's the guy who arguably perfected it.
Otis Blue is just an amazing album, everyone should have it. The reissue is a bit audiophiley, containing all the songs in mono and stereo, but the live tracks make it worth the price.
Here's some exciting news: Otis Redding Live In London and Paris is coming out on September 23 according to Antimusic. It will feature two performances recorded in March of 1967, backed by Booker T & The MGs and the Mar-Keys horn section. Classic Stax, classic soul.
It's good that Otis' legacy hasn't been belittled by crass commercialization of his image but at the same time, it's too bad that he isn't remembered as the true legend that he was.
And, as I often mention, historical context is often helpful in appreciating an artist like Otis Redding. But the real deal is that you could put on his records today at a back yard party, in your car, at the beach or wherever, and it rocks. That's the bottom line.
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