Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding CD

OTIS! THE DEFINITIVE OTIS REDDING box set contains 96 tracks on 4 CDs recorded from 1960-1967. It includes tracks from his 11 studio albums, 22 live tracks, a rare public service announcement and a previously unreleased radio spot for Coca-Cola. A deluxe 100-page booklet accompanies the box set, with rare photos and essays from producer Jerry Wexler, Steve Cropper, Carla Thomas, Zelma Redding, and others.

Digitally remastered by Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch (DigiPrep).

OTIS! THE DEFINITIVE OTIS REDDING was nominated for Best Album Notes in the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.

Of the male voices that came to define soul music in the '60s--among them Sam Cooke, James Brown, Jackie Wilson--one of the greatest was Otis Redding. He epitomized the style: southern rhythm & blues rooted in gospel, the co-mingling of the secular and the sacred, the volatile mix of stories of the flesh and the heart with fervent praise shouted to the heavens. Redding's style came out of Sam Cooke and the Drifters' Clyde McPhatter, but where they were smooth, winsome and/or seductive, Redding added a gutsy, roguish brashness and roughness to the mix.

This 4-CD set compiles much of his recorded output, including catfight-like duets with Carla Thomas and concert recordings, most of which feature the tight-as-can-be rhythm machine known as Booker T. & The M.G.'s. The accompanying booklet features, aside from many photographs and beautifully detailed liner notes, testimonials from artists who have been impacted upon by Redding, including British rocker Peter Gabriel, Senegalese/world music singer Youssou N'Dour and reggae singer Toots Hibbert. This set is obviously not for the casual fan, but for Otis Redding fans and scholars of '60s music, this is an absolute must.

Includes liner notes by Carol Cooper.

Compilation producers: Bill Inglot, Steve Greenberg, Gary Stewart.Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.52) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's."
Rolling Stone (11/11/93, p.76) - 5 Stars - Classic - "...OTIS! proves Redding's preeminence among Southern soul singers....Subtlety and dignity are keynotes of the singer who penned `Respect,' and tremendous pleasure lies in hearing Redding progress from primary colors to overtones, while never conceding an inch of fervor..."
Entertainment Weekly (12/3/93, p.74) - "...this four-disc monster eclipses an earlier box...Besides the hits...there's a full disc of various live performances, which--with their rough, almost crushing sincerity--show what an unaffected country boy this most passionate of soul singers really was...." - Rating: A-
Vibe (12/99, p.160) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century
Musician (2/94, p.77) - "...[Redding] has come to be regarded as the best male soul singer of all time. [OTIS!] gives ample reason why....Redding represented the second wave of soul. Unlike the eager graduates of the Motown Finishing School, Redding refused to round off his rough edges to gain pop acceptance...."
Village Voice (3/1/94, p.5) - Ranked #2 in the Village Voice's list of the 10 Best Reissues Of 1993.
Audio Magazine (3/94, p.86) - "...Redding was a perfect performer whose every take spoke of greatness...you won't be dissapointed by this one...."