Otis Blue

Otis Redding- Otis Blue

in 1964 Sam Cooke was shot and killed at the Hacienda Hotel in L.A., by the hotels manager. Otis Redding looked up to Sam Cooke, being that Cooke is considered the pioneer of soul music. So for what most critics say is the start of Otis Reddings real career Otis decided to sing "A Change is Gonna Come", "Wonderful World" and "Shake" for his late friend. Now sure these two men sound nothing a like, Sam being polished and Otis being raw, and pleading. But Otis really makes these songs his own. But thats not the end of the cover songs. There's B.B. Kings "Rock Me Baby, The Temptations "My Girl" , the Rolling stones "(I can't get no) Satisfaction" and Stax label mate Will Bells "Don't you miss your water".
The highlights are the entire album, Otis shows of his self reflecting side with the opener "Ole Man Trouble" and his original version of "Respect". Then theres a little song he wrote with The Impressions singer Jerry Butler, "I've Been Loving You To Long".The man is pleading from his knees.
Angst ridden lyrics, with a smooth horn showered velvet back drop. I well up everytime I hear "You don't miss your water". Trust me folks, Otis hit it right on the head here. If you never listened to this album, please go play in traffic.