Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)/I’m Sick Y’all/Tennessee Waltz/Sweet Lorene/Try a Little Tenderness/Day Tripper/ My Lover’s Prayer/She Put The Hurt On Me/Ton Of Joy/You’re Still My Baby/Hawg For You/Love Have Mercy
The Dictionary Of Soul was Otis Redding's last album release before his death in an air accident. Given his subsequent legendary status it is surprising how relatively poorly his albums sold in his native country during his lifetime. (US:73 UK:23)
"The King of Soul's last studio album, recorded before his untimely death in December 1967. Redding was on top of the game, and this LP demonstrates that the world indeed lost a musical genius when Otis' plane crashed down that winter. The inimitable Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song) opens procedures in grand style: a loping, shufflin' romp that immediately focuses on Redding's rough, Southern greased, gospel-drenched vocals. The wailing horns contribute to the desolate mood of this sweet, melancholic little tune."
"It's one of his loosest, most playful studio albums, and it's got the most famous versions of a few songs that defined him for a lot of people, Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) and Try A Little Tenderness prime among them."
"The album certain does live up to the billing as complete. Redding's mammoth soul paintbrush is on full display as he roars through his trademark gritty ballads and groovy stompers, most of which he had a hand in writing this time around. He sounds larger than life on such tracks as the bluesy Hawg For You, which sees him erupt into mimicking horns towards the end, and Try A Little Tenderness, which sustains the longest build up before igniting into that famous roof-lifting climax that is often imitated, but never matched."
"It's Otis Redding's delivery that makes these songs full of oomph. So sweet and smooth with just a tiny bit of a rasp underneath, Redding's voice has what few of the elite soul singers have. It all adds up to a classic."
"This was his fifth album, containing a mixture of classic hits and fine lesser known songs. But what really showcases Otis's unique talent are the cover songs. Dictionary Of Soul is as good a soul album as anybody will ever find. With Stax/Atlantic providing their best singer with their best band, we have an album full of passion and emotion."
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