Live in Europe [Live]

Otis Redding | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002JKY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,406 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Otis Redding's studio recordings remain some of soul's greatest moments, yet it was primarily his live performances that made Redding's reputation so stunning in the years prior to his death. In fact, at the time of his death, Redding had recently stolen the show at 1967's legendary Monterey Pop Festival. This live document was released only a month after that California performance in July of '67--and it's an even better set than the one that made him famous here in the States. In fact, it's a tossup between this and In Person at the Whisky a Go Go (released posthumously), in regards to capturing the soul great onstage in all his glory. But as much as the California hippies seemed to love Redding at the Whisky and at Monterey Pop, the Europeans simply adored him. That may be what gives this performance the slight edge as Redding runs through a standard set, spotlighting both some of his biggest hits as well as covers of tunes made famous by the Beatles, the Stones, the Temptations, the Isley Brothers, and Sam Cooke. Critic Sid Griffin suggested that this "is simply one of the few albums to give James Brown's breathtaking Live at the Apollo a run for its money"--and, really, you can't do any better than that. --Bill Holdship

Product Description

The last album released during his lifetime, and a taste of the titanic live force that was Otis Redding in concert!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Otis' European Soul Souvenir, April 20, 2000

By 

Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live in Europe (Audio CD)

The LP's original liner notes read, "You should've been there, but since you weren't, you'll have the opportunity to hear, literally see and definitely feel this one man band of soul." Indeed, Otis Redding's legend lies deeply in intense live performances like these recorded on the "Hit the Road Stax" European tour.

With a crowd before him whose adoration he could feel and return, (and an Austin Powers soundalike who spells Otis' name to start the show), with Booker T. & the MGs with the Mar-Key horns at their rockin' soul best behind him, Otis tears through hits and cover songs with ferocity unusual even for him. "Respect" and "Can't Turn You Loose" become full throated rave ups, and the smoother soul of "Shake" and "My Girl" translate into hard Stax soul (with memorable horn lines Otis loved singing against). But he saves the most incredible performances for the disc's second half, stoking "Satisfaction" and "Day Tripper" with intensity (again, especially in the horn lines) Keith Richards' and George Harrison's guitars could only estimate.

Hear Otis leading the crowd on "Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa (Sad Song)" then leading them up the soul ladder of his hit "Try A Little Tenderness." You sense great joy, then the sobering realization that no one -- Otis (who passed away the year this was released), the crowd, Memphis soul itself - would ever play or hear soul this right again. That fact alone makes this concert recording one to savor (and append with more tracks, and remaster) and essential for all classic R&B fans.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You gotta hear it to believe it!, July 15, 2000

By 

grundle2600 "grundle2600" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live in Europe (Audio CD)

"Live in Europe" by Otis Redding is one of the 4 or 5 greatest live albums that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I bought the CD last year, and have enjoyed it immensely ever since. Interesting that Redding covers both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. All of the songs here are superb. The audience participation here contributes greatly to the mood and atmosphere, and Redding knows exactly how to interact with the audience. This is exactly what a live album should be. This disc comes highly recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Grreat Live Performance by Otis Redding, March 15, 2001

By 

M. Scagnelli (Brandon, Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live in Europe (Audio CD)

I would actually give this four and a half stars. One reason is the sound quality. There is alot of audience noise and sometimes the vocals seem distant. Other then that, Otis Redding Live in Europe is a great album. It is not quite as good as In Person At The Whisky A Go Go, but it is still really good. The setlist is great. Respect kicks the album off great with one of the best versions of the song ever. This recording of Can't Turn You Loose is not as good as the one on Whisky, but it is good. This is followed by a very inspired version of I've been Loving You Too Long. The cover here of My Girl is probably even better then the version on Otis Blue, which is saying alot. Shake is done great and a very good version of satisfaction, but nowhere near as good as the one on Whisky. Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa is one of the highlights of the album, with alot of audience participation, which could be considered good or bad. I think that it still sounds really good. These Arms of Mine is another highlight. It's followed by a good version of Day Tripper that is drastically different then the Beatles version. The album closes with Try A Little Tenderness, which is the best song on the album. Overall this is a great album, but I would reccomend buying In Person At The Whisky A Go Go over this album.