Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (1965)

The aptly named Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (1965) builds upon
the strength and relative success of the vocalist's solo debut
long-player, Pain in My Heart (1964). The format -- blending a few
originals with well-chosen covers -- remained consistent. However,
increasingly evident is the strength of Redding's interaction with
Booker T. Jones (organ), Steve Cropper (guitar/piano), Donald "Duck"
Dunn (bass), and Al Jackson, Jr. (drums), aka Booker T. & the MG's.
That relationship is sonically solidified with the singer's seemingly
innate ability to sculpt his leads around the powerful Memphis Horn
section of Wayne
Jackson (trumpet), Charles "Packy" Axton (tenor sax), and Floyd Newman
(baritone sax). The results clearly speak for themselves with each of
the album's dozen selections as all the proof one needs. Redding's
testifyin' on the opener, "That's How Strong My Love Is," was powerful
enough to garner the attention of several British Invasion bands. While
it was the Rolling Stones' punkish cover that grabbed the most
attention, to equal effect the Hollies and the Creation are among the
others to have been similarly inspired. Adding to that cyclical
experience are the obviously sincere updates of the Chuck Willis'
R&B heartbreaker "It's Too Late," "For Your Precious Love" -- which
had been a huge hit for the Jerry Butler-led incarnation of the
Impressions -- and Sam Cooke's "Nothing Can Change This Love." Of the
latter, Redding's take is arguably more powerful as the intimacy of his
interpretation perfectly demonstrates the artist's uncanny aptitude for
emotional evocation. The Redding-penned titles likewise reflect his
mentors, as "Chained and Bound" easily adopts the pleading conviction
apparent in one facet of Cooke's music. The samba groove of "I Want to
Thank You" and the midtempo bounce of "A Woman, a Lover, a Friend"
reflect the lighter, fun-loving side à la Cooke's "Another Saturday
Night" and "Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha." Saving the best for last,
the Redding/Cropper collaboration on the upbeat and bluesy "Mr. Pitiful"
-- a nickname given to Redding by a local Memphis DJ -- became the
platter's signature side, not to mention a significant crossover hit,
landing in the Top Ten of the R&B survey and just missing the Top 40
Pop Singles chart by a solitary position.



Genre - Rhythm & Blues

Styles - Soul, Southern Soul, Deep Soul

Time - 33:31

Format - mp3@320 Kbps

Size - 76 mb



Tracks

01. That's How Strong My Love Is

02. Chained and Bound

03. A Woman, a Lover, a Friend

04. Your One and Only Man

05. Nothing Can Change This Love

06. It's Too Late

07. For Your Precious Love

08. I Want to Thank You

09. Come to Me

10. Home in Your Heart

11. Keep Your Arms Around Me

12. Mr. Pitiful



Credits

Otis Redding (vocals)

Charles Packy Axton (tenor sax)

Sammie Coleman, Wayne Jackson (trumpet)

Steve Cropper (guitar, piano)

Johnny Jenkins (guitar)

Booker T. Jones (keyboards, organ)

Floyd Newman (baritone sax)

Donald Duck Dunn (bass)

Al Jackson, Jr. (drums)



Label

Atco, 1965

Code:

http://linksave.in/8239158414ebfcfdc314cb