In Person At The Whiskey A Go Go – OTIS REDDING****

I Can’t Turn You Loose/Pain In My Heart/Just One More Day/Mr Pitiful/(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction/I’m Depending On You/Any Ole Way/These Arms Of Mine/Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag/Respect

Released posthumously, the live In Person At The Whiskey A Go-Go recorded in April 1966 captures soul star Otis Redding at the peak of his soulful popularity. (US:82)

“This is one of the best and most energetic live albums ever made, a tour de force performance you can feel the energy coming off of it. This proves just how great a voice Otis Redding had and just how soulful he was. This is an essential album in Otis Redding's catalogue and in the history of soul and R & B.”

“Although the man himself is in top form at this juncture, the band isn't up to snuff. The track selection is fine, and the band handles capably enough, but they're not on equal footing, both with regards to performance and recording.”

“This recording is one of the main items in Otis Redding's too-brief legacy. A bit ragged, sure, but all the more intense and powerful for it, and even though it's only 35 minutes long, it doesn't feel particularly short. There is just so much energy and you're almost out of breath when it's over.”

“Grittier and sweatier than Sam Cooke, or shall we say grittier than what Sam was allowed to record. Redding's output was of an immensely high quality, and here he is in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The rough-voiced Otis Redding is backed here by his usual touring band, and he tears trough fiery, pulsating renditions of several of his best and best-known songs.”

“I've always preferred the Otis Redding live recordings to his studio work. He was undoubtedly one of the greatest live performers ever, and his live albums capture some of that, if not all of it.”

“Otis' full-throttle singing, and straight-up yelling, complement the raw production - on the fast ones he rocks the house unlike anything you've heard, and on the soulful tunes, he'll make your cold heart melt. While this may not be the most polished live recording ever, it's raw energy will make you want to stand up and just boogie. It's pretty much everything I was hoping for. The only annoying thing is how short it is. Otherwise, this is the kind of soul I like. No polish.”