Otis Redding - The Soul Album

Although Redding was a great songwriter (he gave us Aretha's "Respect" and Arthur Conley's "Sweet Soul Music"--'nuff said), he partially made a reputation for himself as a great interpreter of other people's material, ranging from Beatles and Stones covers to "Louie Louie" to standards like "Try a Little Tenderness," which had originally been a hit for Bing Crosby. And unlike other soul artists of the time, including the great Jackie Wilson, Redding--with the help, of course, of guitarist Steve Cropper, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, and drummer Al Jackson--could take even schlock, at least in R&B terms (i.e., "The Tennessee Waltz"), and transcend it, making it his own. Otis makes all 11 tracks here his own--not that any of them were ever considered schlock. But many, including Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang," Roy Head's "Treat Her Right," and Wilson Pickett's "634-5789," were closely associated with their originators. Redding's cover of Smokey Robinson's "Scratch My Back" is so awesome that it makes you forget the Miracles' original. The Soul Album is sometimes underrated because it's a covers album--but it's a classic covers album, nevertheless. --Bill Holdship Amazon.com essential recording

MY FAVE

This and 'Otis Blue' were my favorites. Used to play them back to back, over and over. Glad to have it on cd. March 21, 2008

Wonderful Find

I was unable to find this CD either online at other sites or in the local music stores. What a surprise to find it here and it was everything I thought it would be. Great!! January 10, 2007

Good but not the best.

This album may be disappointment for fans who loves albums like Otis Blue or Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul Buy Now!
Redding has credit in 3 songs, but no his best.
His covers doesn't as great as on Otis Blue album.
But in comparison with contemporary stars (Mariah Carey, Destiny's child) this is great album. September 5, 2005

Scratch My Back

Otis Could do no wrong!no other voice like him ! I saw him live Twice!in U.K. I still talk about his performances today! . A reviewer mentioned Scratch My Back was by the Miracles ... But i'm only familiar with the version credited to James Moore A.K.A Slim Harpo, who recorded for J.D. Miller in Crowley Louisiana and had his stuff initially released on The Excello label out of Nashville. Scratch' was a considerable hit for Slim, Who I believe passed in 1970 just as HIS career was taking off too! Sad stuff. But thankfully they left us with the MUSIC!. June 25, 2004

Untoppable soul

This is a small-frills reissue that includes no bonus tracks or alternate takes. What it does include is nice *mono* remastering by ace Bill Inglot, taken from the original master tapes. It also includes a nice reproduction of the original album front and back (the latter in almost life size). The interior of the CD booklet gives release info (label, date, chart info) as well as a list of the musical support.

Musically, Redding proves himself over and over to be perhaps the greatest soul singer of all time (though Ray Charles during his Atlantic period might give him a run for the money). The eleven tracks on this disc (about 32 minutes) find Redding reaching to the depths of his emotions for vocals that no one else could ever rival. Everything his vocal chords touch becomes *his*. Covers of hits that are unforgettable in their original version (e.g., Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang", Wilson Pickett's "634-5789") become something entirely different when Redding turns his attentions to them.

The band (including Booker T., Isaac Hayes, Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Al Jackson Jr., Sammy Coleman, Wayne Jackson, Bowlegs Miller, Andrew Love, Charles "Packy" Axton and Floyd Newman) provides some really incredible backing. Booker T's organ and Steve Cropper's guitar, in particular, create an incredible atmosphere, punctuated beautifully by the horn section. There is a cohesiveness between Redding's vocals and the musical background that is not evident in lesser soul recordings. There is a sort of empathy between the players and the vocalist that is jazz-like and rare.

From the slower, soulful ballads such as "Just One More Day", the wrenching "Cigarettes and Coffee", and "Good To Me" through the medium paced blues of "Scratch My Back" through upbeat pieces like "It's Growing", Redding never misses a beat. His vocals are a revelation every time you listen to the disc. August 17, 2000

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