Customer Reviews
Favourite CD - By: J. M. Tuck, 15 Jun 2010 
Truly amazing talent sadly lost so early. This man had so much more to give as this compilation shows. No record or CD collection is anywhere near complete without this one!.I never get tired of hearing Otis Redding.No need to say anymore, just buy it
A Great Work Left Behind an Untimely Passing - By: Stephanie DePue, 21 Apr 2010 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, & a producer of the best music Memphis-based Stax/Volt could offer, with its wailing horns, & strong, pounding house band, Steve Cropper's Booker T & the MGs, (Green Onions). Redding's instrument, his voice, was an exemplar of soul: hoarse, passionate & gritty, yet he could produce aching ballads, & party tunes that still carried emotional content.
Now, Memphis has produced many great musicians. Sam Phillips' Sun Studio, launchedin February 1952, boasted Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins & Roy Orbison. Beale Street started BB King's career. And then there was Stax/Volt, home to Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Johnnie Taylor & Rufus Thomas.
Otis, of course, wrote the album's title tune, & it was his biggest hit, although it was posthumously released. He also wrote "Respect," a big hit for Aretha Franklin; his intense version of the song is on this album. However, Redding's biggest, mainstream hit while alive was "Tramp," a duet with Carla Thomas that you will also find here. Otis, of course, was a man of many talents (he wrote several songs with Steve Cropper), & broad range. But he didn't have much of a sense of humor: Carla Thomas (daughter of Rufus) brings hers to this exuberant, exultant, corn pone flavored call & response number. On this record, you get,in addition to the previously-named all time greats, several more wonderful songs. A driving "Mr. Pitiful" & a yearning "These Arms of Mine," his earliest R & B hits. His famous, pounding, mispronounced take on the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction," & some more great rockers: "Shake," "I Can't Turn You Loose," "Love Man," (Sam & Dave's biggest hit) , & "My Girl," the Temptations' greatest hit. You also get prayerful takes of "Painin My Heart," & Sam Cooke's great "A Change is Gonna Come." He can do tender too: just listen to "I've Been Loving You Too Long," & "Try a Little Tenderness."
Funny, many years ago now, when I livedin England, a pompous young manin the music business, who lived next door, came wandering into the cottage & 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, & I was dating myself listening to Otis Redding: the musical smart set was now listening to Al Green. Now I respect & honor Al Green's music, but I will always listen to this record by Otis, & 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 & his music, just take a listen, & you, too, will be a fan.
So Much More to Otis Than 'Dock of The Bay' - By: David R. Bishop, 28 Sep 2008 Everybody knows 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay'. It still gets lots of airplay. There is so much more to Otis than that, & this cheapie is the perfect introduction to a great talent.
The style is southern soul, with intentionally slow strong rhythms & plaintive Memphis horns topped off with Otis' dramatic impassioned soulful vocals.
My fave is his first R&B hit 'These Arms Of Mine', but I love them all. Then of course there is 'Try A Little Tenderness' which could make you a better person, the feeling is so strong.
Chance a few quid & enjoy. I bet you won't regret it.
Not the definitive Dock of the Bay mix... - By: AlanMusicMan, 17 Aug 2008 
I don't have a lot to add to the other reviews of this excellent CD. However; Buyers & listeners should be aware that the mix of "Dock of the Bay" which appears on this collection is - as on so many other compilations - the rather gutless stereo mix that was createdin the 1970s & which unfortunately gets most airplay. I have a 1968 mono single & although the "Dock..." track on this CD is undoubtedly the same performance, it's definitely not the same mix - it's an inferior one!
The original mix, which is far more powerful musically is available still on CD, & if you buy (from Amazon of course!) an album called "The Definitive Sound of Atlantic Soul" you will get the original mix, which has a heavier beat & makes much more of Steve Croppers great guitar backing. You'll also get a great many other excellent Atlantic cuts.
I just wish that the copyright owner would stop peddling the gutless mix & get back to the original.
The rest of this album is definitely classic & original stuff though - so do buy this one too.
Very good - By: Ms. Harriet L. Fisher, 12 Jul 2008 I bought this album recently, having only heard "sitting on the dock of a bay", & i must say he has many better songs. This is a great collection. I especially love "ciggaretes & coffee" "thats how strong my love is" & "a change has got to come".
