Coming Soon: Otis Redding, The Soul Manifesto 1964-1970
Otis Redding was one of the defining voices in '60s R&B, and we're not just saying that because he released an album entitled The Dictionary of Soul, although that is actually kind of funny, now that we think about it. Really, though, all you have to do is look at a list of his top-40 hits to realize just how important he was in his day and how much he still means to music fans even now. If you really want the definition of soul, just play those hits back to back - “I've Been Loving You Too Long,” “Respect,” “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction,” “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song),” “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Tramp,” “Knock on Wood,” “(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay,” “The Happy Song (Dum-Dum),” “Amen,” and “Papa's Got a Brand New Bag” - and then see if you don't agree with us about that whole “defining voices” thing.
If you're already on board with this premise, then dig this: we're about to release the Otis Redding set to end all Otis Redding sets. It's a 12-disc monstrosity - and we mean that in the absolute best possible way - called The Soul Manifesto 1964-1970, a collection which includes the eight studio and live albums that Redding recorded between 1964 and 1967, along with several posthumously-released sets.
Before you start doing your impression of Brad Pitt at the end of Se7en, here's what's in the box:
Pain In My Heart (1964) The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (1965) Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965) The Soul Album (1966) Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul (1966) King & Queen - with Carla Thomas (1967) Live In Europe (1967) The Dock Of The Bay (1968) The Immortal Otis Redding (1968) In Person At The Whisky A Go Go (1968) Love Man (1969) Tell The Truth (1970)
If you're a Redding fan, then we'd be surprised if you can even concentrate right now, given the volume at which it's currently calling your name, and if you're not a Redding fan but you know one, then we'd expect that you suddenly have their holiday gift all picked out.
