Otis Redding, Dock of The Bay: The Definitive Collection (1987)
I had the tape – and then the CD. And since buying records I have always meant to pick up one or two Otis Redding records – the original albums – and I will. But recently I was given this. And it filled me with a nostalgic rush, remembering discovering his music via this compilation. And it’s filled with almost everything you need, certainly as a one-stop it does (most of) the trick. I’m filled too with a sadness now, whenever I listen to more than one Otis Redding song. One song on its own is fine, just great. But when you get in any deeper than that I’m just caught thinking about how he died so young. And in an accident. He had some fame but was still on the verge of being a superstar. He had the music in him  to go further, bigger, even better. But you listen to what he managed to do in such a short time  and that in itself is overwhelming. Sad songs – so many of these. Even the ones that feel so uplifting. Oscar came in the other day when I was sitting alone listening to this. “I like your music Daddy!” he beamed. And  we had a little dance. I told him “Otis Redding was the best Oscar!” And he replied, “We he is!” I love that. Is. Not was. He had another dance.  

Sample Track: Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)

The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown