Before 24 bit remastering, before the Otis Redding Anthology collection, there was this 3 cd set on Otis Redding. The remastering job gave the listeners the STEREO remixes that Stax records did on a Teac 4 track recorder. Most if these tracks appeared originally in stereo on the single albums but here lately in mono only. If you are a stereo enthusiast, this is the most complete one you will ever find on the studio recordings of Otis Redding.

THE OTIS REDDING STORY features all of the classic Otis Redding songs from "These Arms of Mine" to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay." It also features some lesser known gems like "New Year's Resolution," his fine duet with Carla Thomas.

The liner notes by Rob Bowman are quite extensive and include several photos. The notes include a story about the recording "Pain in My Heart," which was found to be similar to another song recorded by a popular female singer of the era. Check it it out to discover which one.

Otis Redding fan or not, if you love soul music, this one is definitely worth a look.

When Otis Redding died in a plane crash in 12/1967, he was on the approach of a new flight direction of a criss/crossed generation of young white and black pattern that would fly above Motown, Atlantic, and destined to set down into a new world.

This 3 CD set is an overview of his adventure. From a Sam Cooke deep South gospel singer, to a determined early 60's soul shouter, to a Stax songwriter, Otis traveled the gravel voice road.

These CDs have the early '60's Top 40 Soul hits, rarely played on White Top 40. "These Arms of Mine", "Mr. Pitiful", "Shake","Can't Turn You Loose", "Respect". All these songs and more are familiar to listeners more today than yesterday. What is mostly overlooked, is Otis reversed the usual Black to White cover songs. He recorded "Satisfaction", "We Can Work It Out", and of course the definatative "Try A Little Tenderness".

The classic moment in RnB/Soul History is Otis' performance in 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival, when he, dressed in a green suit, and backed by the southern boys MGS, overwhelmed the hippies with his passion. As he so perfectly put it, "The Love Crowd".

Otis had a generation in his hand, and was ready to take over. After that Summer of Love Monterey Pop Festival, he spend the rest of the summer in San Francisco and wrote what was to become his legacy, "Dock of the Bay". Released after his death, "Dock of the Bay" became a #1 hit. It melded Soul, Folk, and Rock into something new and had his whistling too!.

These CDs chronicle his recordings up to that point. The CD transfer is mostly fine, however those with the original Atlantic/Stax/ LPs will quibble with the quality. I got 'em, goin' hang on to 'em, because it's OTIS!!

I'm reviewing this before I receive it. I know it's going to be great because I had it on record. And, it's one of the few places you can find the song I Can't Turn You Loose.