Definitive Otis Redding

Having died at age 26, Otis Redding gave only a glimpse--albeit a well-documented one--of what he was capable of doing. These four CDs capture Redding's best moments and give a depth that is essential to Redding and Stax-era R&B fans. Redding shaped Stax's signature soul sound, in part by further livening up already high-powered horn charts and heavy rhythms, and in part by simply singing his heart out to a ringing degree. His early, heavily showy stuff is featured here in the form of "Shout Bamalama," but very quickly this set begins to boast just how categorically awe-inspiring Redding's vocal powers were. He made the heart hurt on scorching love-lost tunes ("That's What My Heart Needs") and then could jar the floor with bursting tempi, complex horn charts and unflagging passion on a tune like "Mr. Pitiful." By the time he was churning out tracks with the estimable instrumental outfit Booker T. & the MG's, Redding's dramatic delivery and awesome power were evenly keeled, ensuring at least an unforgettable performance--many of which are on these four CDs. The first three collect catalog material, from the early tunes (a great vantage on Redding's forming talent) to "Tramp," his erstwhile hit with Carla Thomas, to the jump-out-of-your-seat energy of Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang." The last CD collects live performances, each of which is distinctly unforgettable. Then there's the sure sign of Redding's ascendance, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," recorded within days of this Macon, Georgia, native's tragic early death. For those looking for something more compact than this set, try the anthology Dreams to Remember. Be prepared, however, to feel teased by just two CDs when you could have four. --Andrew Bartlett