Otis Redding and His Friends Otis Redding/Video Anthology 1966-1967

Stax is a record label based in Memphis, southern California, that contributed greatly to the music style known as Southern Soul. There was one person who was at the center of the label in both name and reality: Otis Redding. When Johnny Jenkins, the guitarist in his band, went to the Stax studio for work, Otis was taken as a driver and sang a little in his free time, and all the staff fell in love with his talent. He debuted in 1962, and Johnny later left the band, but he recorded with Booker T and the MG’s, the main band of Stax, which included guitarist Steve Cropper, who co-wrote many famous songs with Otis. Finally, in 1965, Otis won the number one spot in R&B with “Otis Blue”. This is a DVD-R compilation video of Otis Redding, also known as the Big O, from his heyday in 1966 to 1967. This is not only a compilation of Otis, but also features his fellow tourmates Sam & Dib (whose performance of “Hold On! I’m Comin’,” a song used in the movie “The Blues Brothers” that sings “Wait a minute, I’m coming to help you,” is amazing), Arthur Conley (who wrote a soul classic with Otis), Eddie Floyd (he and Steve Cropper wrote a song for Otis, but Eddie’s version was chosen and it became the number one R&B song, and Prince also covered it), Booker T and the MG’s…It is a collection of footage that can be said to be a comprehensive summary of Stax’s, or rather, of R&B at that time. DVD1 starts with a music video for the Rolling Stones’ cover of “Satisfaction,” followed by the rare color Hy-Lit Show, and the famous Ready Steady Go, where you can see Otis performing “Respect,” which was later covered by Aretha Franklin, and “I Can’t Turn You Loose,” which was played by Sly in his early days. The Beat, which includes a funky intro that conveys the atmosphere of the time, is also recorded in color, so DVD1 has almost no black and white footage even though it is an early release. There are many great songs, including a delightful performance of “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” which was also covered by the Rolling Stones. DVD2 starts with a long version of the 1967 Stax Vault Review, but with poor image quality, and an edited version that was broadcast (the performance of Arthur Conley’s “Sweet Soul Music,” a soul representative song co-written with Otis, is the best!). It’s great to see the performance of “Shake,” which features a spectacular gatta-gatta (we have to do it!) from the great album “Otis Blue,” and “My Girl,” which has a backing that is faithful to the Motown Funk Brothers but is intoxicated by Otis’s rich and flavorful throat, in a beautiful image quality. The members of the MG’s are also clearly visible (their performance of “Green Onion” is the best at this time). And on Otis’ last TV show, Upbeat, we have two videos: a complete version as it was aired at the time, although it is blurry, and a cover of “Try A Little Tenderness” that was included on his last album “Soul Dictionary” before his death, with a powerful rebroadcast of the “gatta-gatta” that Otis covered and became known to everyone. In “Knock On Wood,” Otis, who was supposed to be performing with blue-eyed soul Mitch Ryder, also performs a spectacular duet that is amazing, weaving in the “gatta-gatta”. After appearing on Upbeat, on December 10, 1967, 26-year-old Otis boarded a Cessna to travel to Wisconsin with his backing band The Bar-Kays for his next show, despite the weather warning… On December 7, he completed the ballad “(Sittin’ On) The Dog Of The Bay,” which he co-wrote with Steve and was going to break new ground. The single was released in January 1968 and reached number one in the US, and the tribute album, The Dog Of The Bay, released in February 1968, reached number four on the US pop album chart, the highest chart for an Otis album. DVD1 92min. Satisfaction (MV 1966) Satisfaction Try A Little Tenderness Shake / Land of 1000 Dances Hy-Lit Show 1966 Introduction Satisfaction My Girl Respect Hold On! I’m Comin’ (Eric Burdon) It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World (Chris Farlowe) Pain In My Heart I Can’t Turn You Loose Shake (w/ Eric & Chris) Land Of 1000 Dances (w/ Eric & Chris) Ready Steady Go, London, UK Sep 16, 1966 Introduction – Mr. Pitiful Induction – I Take What I Want (Sam & Dave) – Outroduction The!!!! Beat October 14, 1966 Hey Gyp (Eric Burdon & The Animals) I’m Gonna Forget About You (Intro) (Arthur Conley) Phiily Dog (The Mar-Keys) – Sweet Soul Music (Arthur Conley) Knock On Wood (Eddie Floyd) Soothe Me (Sam & Dave) Hold On I’m Coming (Sam & Dave) I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (Ike & Tina Turner) Respect My Girl Shake I’ve Been Loving You Too Long Satisfaction Try A Little Tenderness I’m Gonna Forget About You (Arthur Conley) Sweet Soul Music…Live From The Round House + Hammersmith Odeon & More 1967 DVD2 95min. Green Onions (Booker T & The Mg’s) Philly Dog (The Mar-Keys) Grab This Thing (The Mar-Keys) Last Night (The Mar-Keys) Sweet Soul Music (Arthur Conley) Raise Your Hand (Eddie Floyd) Soothe Me (Sam & Dave) When Something Is Wrong With My Baby (Sam & Dave) Hold On! I’m Comin’ (Sam & Dave) My Girl Shake Satisfaction Try A Little Tenderness Stax/Volt Review 1967 Unedit Long Version Shake My Girl Green Onions (Booker T & The Mg’s) When Something Is Wrong With My Baby (Sam & Dave) Hold On! I’m Comin’ (Sam & Dave) Satisfaction Try A Little Tenderness Stax/Volt Review 1967 -80’s Edit Ver.- Respect – Interview Try A Little Tenderness Knock On Wood (W/ Mitch Ryder) Upbeat 1967 Original Onair Version Try A Little Tenderness Upbeat (Upgraded Version) Pro-Shot