The Dock of the Bay

Otis Redding

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 1991)
• Original Release Date: February 1968
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002IH5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,026 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Shortly after his breakthrough appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival, Otis Redding began talking of making a record that would be to soul music what Sgt. Pepper's was to rock. Sadly, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" was the only song he recorded for this project before his untimely death, and so The Dock of the Bay wound up being a mixed bag of non-LP singles and previously unreleased material. Of course, Redding was such an amazing singer that even a ragtag collection of his stuff is worth checking out, and this album certainly has its fair share of high points, including "Tramp," a sassy duet with Carla Thomas; the funky "Don't Mess with Cupid"; and the unbelievably poignant "Ole Man Trouble." --Dan Epstein

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little respect, May 11, 2000

By	Michael Sean (Seattle, WA - US) - See all my reviews

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Otis, January 29, 2000

By	Phil (The Pineywoods of Deep East Texas) - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than words can say, July 24, 2005

By	osapientia (Carson, CA) - See all my reviews

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.