One of the greatest and most influential artists to rise from the Southern Soul movement of the '60s, Georgia-born Otis Redding was a powerful vocalist, capable of swaggering braggadocio and soul-bearing heartache in equal measure. Redding was also a gifted songwriter who penned many of his most memorable songs, and an unstoppable force as a stage performer, often regarded as James Brown's only real rival as the most exciting soul performer of the '60s. Redding's recording career lasted only seven years before he lost his life in a plane wreck in 1967 at the age of 26, but his catalog remains one of the strongest of any artist from soul's golden age.
Pure Southern Soul is epic-scale digital collection of Redding's recordings for the Stax/Volt label, featuring 60 songs that encompass his biggest hits and superb deep cuts. This is a treasure trove of classic soul, and a superb, thorough introduction to a landmark talent. Selections include "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "I've Been Loving You Too Long," "Respect," "Try a Little Tenderness," "Love Man," "These Arms of Mine," "Mr. Pitiful," "Shake," and many, many more. ~ Mark Deming