OK, first the bad news-this is NOT an undiscovered “lost” session by Otis Redding and Booker T and the MGs. Yet, the good news is that this collection has a great and consistent bluesy mood to it, something most of Redding’s releases missed, as they combined “hits” with “misses.” Here, the reissue does include an alternate version of “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember” with a darker story line and mood. Obscurities like “My Lover’s Prayer” and “Send Me Some Lovin’” (compare with the Little Richard version) have a bona fide Memphis feel; earthy and understated. Two classics are included, “These Arms of Mine” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”, which sound amazingly simple yet penetrating. The thing that is startling about these sessions is that there is no flash or attitude here. Guitarist Steve Cropper’s got the feel, and Otis mixes the soul of the gospel church preacher as well as the in=service testimony by the lay folks. It’s just a collection of talents playing what they believed in. Can that be said of today’s R&B? Where did they make a wrong turn? THIS IS SINGING!
Stax/Volt Records