Singling out an Otis album is difficult. His whole catalogue is outstanding and fits together seamlessly. Our preferred method of listening is to stick his albums on back to back to back etc and enjoy it all. From the funky dance numbers to the aching blues pieces. Soul is an odd genre - it encompasses a range of styles from rhythm and blues to funk to gospel. Who cares what we call it. Otis spans the full spectrum on this album and listening to it is a pure, joyful, celebration.
The riff to Ole Man Trouble is a offbeat welcome to the album. Otis' raspy holler pleads for some respite from the troubles in his life and even though we have none, we too plead for ole man trouble to get off our backs.
Otis' Respect and A Change is Gonna Come are not the definitive versions of these songs but they're probably our favourites. The lyrics to Respect are the same, but the music is completely different to Aretha's version. It's almost a big band number, with some sweet brass riffs. Respect is Otis asking his girl, to whom he's about to give all his money, to show him just a little respect. Ain't too much to ask is it?
A Change is Gonna Come is not as plaintive or polished as Sam Cooke's. Otis injects jazz arrangements to the song, giving it a rhythm and energy that the original lacked.
While Otis' voice is unequalled, the rhythm section on the album is extraordinary, producing some of the tightest, subtlest rhythm and blues you'll ever have the privilege to hear. We didn't realise till tonight that it was Booker T and the MGs, so now it makes a lot more sense. They pull back and let Otis wail, and then they take over and ignite the song. While we're not experts on production, the quality of the sound and the mixing on this album is excellent, beyond what you would expect to hear on a 1965 recording. The talent behind the album is exceptional - Isaac Hayes and Steve Cropper produced.
My favourite moment is Satisfaction. The Stones broke in the UK on the strength of covering rhythm and blues and soul numbers written by artists like Otis. Here Otis reciprocates, covering one of the first original songs the Stones finally got around to writing. Again, it's a completely different arrangement, with less of the dirty aggression of the original and more seduction.
No matter that it's a cliche, My Girl is a great and beautiful song. And then you hear Wonderful World and it's funkier and more beautiful - pure ecstasy.
When god invented music, he had Otis in mind.
Also a beautiful album cover
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