I could safely say that I do not have any good memories of my mother except one. She listened to a lot of music. She would listen to songs over and over. If the lyrics were not included on the album, then she would try to write them out. I am not sure why she did it, but it gave me a love for music and maybe a love for the lyrics of songs. Unfortunately, she never paid as much attention to me as she did the songs and my love never extended to my mother either.
Most of the artist were rock or soul artist, such as Led Zeppelin, the Supremes and even Sonny and Cher. One of the greatest artist I remember her listening to was Otis Redding. The sweet sound of soul pumping through the speakers moved me even as a young child. Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul was not the album she played, but I wish it has been the one she had played.
“R-E-S-P-E-C-T”. I only knew this song from Aretha Franklin and I hated it. She is another artist who I judged her career on one song. I will listen to her when her albums appear on the list of “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”. Otis Redding wrote “Respect“. His original version is asking his woman for respect when he comes home with the money. He is begging her.
This biggest misstep is his cover of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction“. It loses its punch under Reddings soulful vocals. The music almost feels like high school band performed it. In most of his cover songs, Redding does a great job, but he excels in his own lyrics. I think he should have written more songs or had more written for him. He is competing with other giants such as The Temptations and Sam Cooke who was murdered a few years earlier.
Otis Redding inspired so many singers who came after him. Sadly, he died in a plane crash in 1967 so his discography is too short. Fortunately, he left us with Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, one of the greatest soul albums of the 60s. 9/10.
hey it's osh 
All the covers are worse than the originals! Why would Otis think he could out dual the Temptations, Sam Cooke, and The Rolling Stones with his own versions?
I am not sure. We can never know much about the man since he died at a long age. I feel like he was just starting to reach his true potential as a singer before he died. I am only going on what I have listened to on his albums so far. In general, I think a cover is a bad idea, yet once in a while someone gets it right. Thank you for reading. 🙂
My favorite of your posts so far Ocean. I endlessly applaud your ability to be honest in recognizing the painful journey with your Mother. Amidst the trauma…you still found something amazing she has passed on to you. I dare say you are healing through this 1,001 albums without meaning to? I am proud of you. Also, Otis is Gold ❤
I am not sure if I am healing. Thank you for your sweet comment and reading.