Customer Reviews

Love Man

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

 

 

After the success of the previous two posthumous releases, "Dock of the Bay" and "The Immortal Otis Redding," Steve Cropper put out another collection of unreleased studio material. This enjoyable disc features a dozen tracks culled from the vast amount of recordings Otis made prior to his untimely death in December of 1967. These songs were all from sessions done in his last year, with the usual accompaniment of Booker T. & the MG's and the Mar-Keys. For a compilation of leftovers, there are a number of gems to be found. "I'm A Changed Man," "That's A Good Idea," "Groovin' Time" and the title track are classic Redding, and the fantastic "Direct Me" features some great guitar work by Cropper. Only three covers are included: a spirited version of "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher," Brook Benton's "A Lover's Question," and the rollicking "Look At That Girl" with some nice female backing vocals. It may not be essential, but this album did produce a couple of Top 20 R&B hits ("Love Man" and "A Lover's Question") and it captures Otis during his most productive period. Once you have his key records, pick this one up. It's definitely worth a listen.

This album is simply amazing, a raw, dirty, soulful explosion of incredible gritty old school soul. Do yourself a favor and pick this up, you simply can't go wrong for the price. Long live Otis, the king of real soul and his unrealized gorgeous album LOVE MAN!!!

This is undoubtedly, hands down, the best Otis Redding Album ever released. Eventhough it is one of the posthumous releases it contains Otis' greatest accomplishments as a performer and a songwriter(a facet of his genius which is, unfortunately, not as recognized as it should be). Alot of people say that "Otis Blue" is his best album and it is undeniably amazing. All of his recordings, live and studio, are mindblowing. But contrary to what the reviewer below asserts this is not an album to get after you've heard the "key" ones. Get this now and here Otis at his best.

After looking out for the track, "Direct Me" for over 25 years I finally have a full compilation of the rarest talent in soul. "Direct Me" is a national anthem, second to none. For thirty-something years the music of Otis Redding, has tought me how to respect and honour, especially our momen. For the third generation in my household, we all give that "...little tenderness".

If we all could have the "Love Man" in our hearts, the world could be homely to all mankind. It takes a loving man to direct the destiny of weapons of human destruction away from the innocent women and children.

This isn't quite the consistent powerhouse that is "The Immortal Otis Redding", but I still love this record. His "Higher and Higher" is modest in comparison to Jackie Wilson's hit, but his rendition of Clyde McPhatter's "A Lover's Question" was just made for him. In addition are some standout originals that could have served proudly on "Immortal". His autobiographical title track characterizes precisely just who he was and what he represented to his audience. The majestic "Direct Me" (lyrically and melodically) highlights Steve Cropper's catchy guitar phrasings. And Otis and his band just cook on the gritty "I'm A Changed Man". Baby he was born to skat too! The reserve of his final recording sessions has not dried up for this non-pareil soul singer.

"Love Man", 1969, is more unreleased recordings the gritty singer from Georgia recorded in 1967 before his tragic death. This album may be Otis Redding's best overall compilation, not forgetting "Otis Blue" his best performance as a whole. "The Dictionary Of Soul", "Dock Of The Bay", and "The Immortal" also hold up well in the limited Redding catalog. Otis and the MG's are energized and extremely relaxed on these "Love Man" recordings, at the same time you have to wonder why these twelve songs were hiding in the vaults - "I'M A CHANGED MAN", "LOVE MAN", "DIRECT ME", "GROOVIN' TIME", "I'LL LET NOTHING SEPARATE US", and Jackie Wilson's, "YOUR LOVE KEEPS LIFTING ME HIGHER", Brook Benton's, "LOVER'S QUESTION", and others added to make this a soul classic. Essential Redding.

Like a lot of people, I like Otis on the stage better than Otis in the studio. But this album succeeds in capturing the incredible energy that some of his other studio recordings sadly lack.