Customer Reviews

Dock of the Bay

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Released shortly after his death, this album was the first of several posthumous Otis Redding releases. The fabulous title track reached number one on both the pop and R&B charts, introducing Otis' talent and emotive energy to a much wider (and whiter) audience. Inspired by the Beatles' adventurous songwriting, and his positive experience at the Monterey Pop Festival, he wrote "The Dock of the Bay" while relaxing in Sausalito. He recorded it on December 7, 1967, three days before the airplane crash that would take his life and four members of his touring band, The Bar-Kays. The song was unlike anything he had released thus far, and showed the promising artistic direction he was headed in. Guitarist, co-writer, and friend Steve Cropper compiled this tribute album around it, gathering together some of his past singles, along with the unreleased ballad "Open The Door." There are plenty of great songs, such as the magnificent "Let Me Come On Home," "Don't Mess With Cupid," and his classic duet with Carla Thomas, "Tramp." The funky "Huckle-Buck" is from the Stax "Stay In School" record, and two fine cuts from earlier albums close out the set. As always, the backing musicians on all of the tracks are the fantastic Stax players of Booker T. & The MG's and the Mar-Keys. This disc is a testament to Otis Redding's mastery of his craft, and makes for a decent primer on his sound. It was soon followed by "The Immortal Otis Redding," an excellent collection of unreleased studio recordings.

I listen to this album every day and think what a tradgedy it is that Otis Redding died before his time. The music that this man was starting to create is the epitomy of soul and I am moved nearly to tears listenting to Otis belt out such tunes as 'Ole Man Trouble', 'Let Me Come Home', and 'The Glory of Love' and in the next moment smiling and laughing along with Otis on the tunes 'Tramp' and 'The Huckle-Buck'. I am a fan of all generes of music and this is the one album I would reccomend to anyone, no matter what kind of music they prefer. Listen to 'Dock of the Bay' I gurantee you will fall in love with Otis Redding.

I stayed away from this CD for years simply because 'Dock of the Bay' was so overexposed. Recently, I gave this one a chance and it exceeded my expectations. I still think 'Immortal Otis' is the essential Otis Redding album. However, this one will blow you away too. He just has a way of owning a song and making it completely his. Otis has covered a few songs and they all take on new meaning, like 'Respect.'- just totally Otis. People have tried to take on Otis, as cover material, but his style is simply too unique, too much soul for any mere mortal.

I think whoever likes, "dock of the bay" will absolutely love this cd!!! The music on this cd is wonderful! It is very cool!

"The Dock of the Bay" sadly became Otis Redding's last album, and it's a bit of a haphazard collection as well, gathering various singles and B-sides and including tracks recorded as far back as 1965.

Perhaps surprisingly, it's also one of his best albums. The famous title track from 1968 sticks out stylistically; there is really nothing here quite like it.
The rest of the album is more traditional soul, spanning emotional ballads like "I Love You More Than Words Can Say" and the gospel-like "The Glory Of Love", swaggering soul stompers like "I'm Coming Home To See About You" and "Let Me Come On Home", and dance-friendly R&B like "The Huckle-Buck" and "Tramp", the classic duet with Carla Thomas.

Even the lesser-known songs are good, or even great. The arrangements are excellent, relatively sparse but fittingly muscular, utilizing the small horn section to great effect. This is one classic soul record, and one of the ver ybest places to experience the great Otis Redding. It's sad that it came out under such circumstances.

The bulk of the Tracks here included Previously Released Singles, B-Sides, And a handful of of Unreleased Gems from the vaults. This well put together collection finds Otis in various settings. Album includes the #1 Billboard Gold R&B/Pop Hit Single "The Dock Of The Bay", Plus Hit Singles: "Tramp" (With Carla Thomas) which was a Billboard #2 Hit in 1967, "The Glory Of Love" a Billboard Top 20 Hit also in '67!, and "I Love You More Than Words Can Say" a Billboard Top 40 Hit Single also from '67 . Included is the Album Favorite "Open The Door" that could have/should have been released as a Single to boost album, but the good folks at Atlantic was going through the vaults for future Otis Redding releases and was moving fast!, so there was no further Singles released from this album. There are a couple of "Best Of" Collections, a Box Set, but if you're seeking out getting ALL of Otis Redding's Albums (Compact Discs)...This IS a Must Have.

Talk about a sho nuff soulful voice. Otis Redding most definitely left his mark on the music industry before departing away from this earth. This cd is a must have for anyone who loves music.

Everyone needs some good oldies in there music library.I am a huge fan of Otis Redding and this is the 3nd album I have purchased by the artist. Buy this album if you want some SOLID OLDIES that you can play without having to worry about what annoying track is coming up nextto skip. Buy this is you want to dance your kitchen belting "sitting on the dock of the bay... wasting time" Buy this if you want to feel good. I promise I don't work for the album, but if I did, I would seriously try and score some more albums!

This album had a mongrel begining. It has a thoroughbred history. A soul landmark. Don't live without it.