I submit that if you can listen to this CD from beginning-to-end and not get a chill down your spine, or misty eyed, you’re an extremely cold fish, or you should consider a career with the U.S. Navy SEALs.

Outside of maybe O.V. Wright or Solomon Burke, no other soul singer could “worry” a lyric like the Big O. [iframe class=”spotify-right” src=”https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:album:7HO92oWRarR68hV49WDJti” width=”300″ height=”380″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”]Buy on AmazonBuy on iTunes
This collection recycles many of Redding’s deepest soul performances. This approach was broached a couple times during his all too short life on vinyl—Sings Soul Ballads and Otis Blue—but this collection might just go a step further than those did. The opener, the torturous Eddie Floyd/Booker T. Jones lament—”I Love You More Than Words Can Say”—sets the theme, as Otis (as always) gets the short end of the stick in the love affair department. Hits like “These Arms of Mine,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)” and “My Lover’s Prayer” are included and they still stand as soul classics. Not to be overshadowed, several B-sides and album tracks collected here deserve mention. “Open the Door” might well top that list as Otis begs his woman to let him ease on in while the MG’s lay down a sultry Memphis groove in support. See also “Everybody Makes A Mistake” where Redding gets a hearty boast from the Memphis horns. On “Little Ol’ Me,” guitarist Steve Cropper shines in support.

When it comes to begging and pleading, no one outdoes Redding on “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember” (a track released posthumously, and I have a feeling it wasn’t finished). The man just wears his heart on his sleeve for all the world to see. Every track reissued here is in the pocket. I would have included Redding’s initial hit “Pain In My Heart” in place of “Send Me Some Lovin’” but that’s a pretty petty bitch. Interesting retro/distressed packaging makes this an even more attractive buy for soul buffs.