Otis Redding
'Dreams To Remember'
The Legacy of Otis Redding DVD
Reelin' In The Years Years Productions/Universal Music
UK Release date: 23rd November 2007
Catalogue # 0602517370616

There mere fact that this is another Reelin' In The Years DVD is testament in itself that this latest release is going to be something special and indeed it is. Whilst this may not be the first DVD to be released on the late great Otis Redding it is indeed something totally different to the 'Remembering Otis DVD currently on the market which whilst also making excellent viewing, that title is a straight concert and this new title has so much more.

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Otis' untimely death in 1967 where he and other members of the Bar Kays perished when their plane went down on their way to Wisconsin leaving the recording world without one of the most soulful and charismatic singers to emerge out of America. He had already made his mark on the recording world via the Memphis based Stax label and had also had numerous singles released on Atlantic throughout the 1960's but in a strange twist of fate his biggest selling '45' 'Dock Of The Bay' would not be released until 1968 where it became Otis' biggest hit and sadly he would never know just how well that record had sold for him.

A regular visitor to the UK where he appeared on the ATV's Ready Steady Go TV show (they actually dedicated a whole  show as an Otis special together with Animals front man Eric Burdon, and Immediate recording artist Chris Farlowe. No clips whatsoever from that show are included on this DVD which features 16 vintage US and European full length TV performances  from the peak of his career.

As with other Reelin' productions the clips are interspersed with interview material from key figures who worked alongside Otis including MG's guitarist Steve Cropper who also co-wrote a number of songs with Reddding for other artists too. You'll hear from Otis' wife, Stax founder Jim Stewart, William Bell, Carla Thomas (with whom he recorded numerous singles and the now collectable 'King & Queen' LP)  There's also some footage at the Stax/Volt tour of Norway in 1967, but the real gems lie in the colour footage at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival where his eager and enthusiastic audience speak volumes for the his esteem in which he was held.

The video clips in question are just magic and quickly remind the viewer of just how special he was as a singer - no gloss, just soulful grooves sung from the heart. The DVD opens with a lip synched 1965 performance of his 1963 recording 'Pain In My Heart' and from the same show we have his uptempo single 'Mr Pitiful' with Steve Cropper explaining how the song was created and named. I've never personally warmed to his 'I Can't Turn You Loose' but there's no denying the sheer energy he exerts in performing this song live on 'Upbeat' in 1966 - you can certainly understand where the phrase 'on fire' came from.

There's some spectacular colour footage from the UK Stax/Volt tour of 1967 of him delivering a blistering version of 'Satisfaction' . For those who like me prefer the lip synched clips you'll love 'Don't Mess With Cupid' from 'Upbeat' in 1966 which really does set this DVD into a class of its own. From the same show more colour clips with Otis performing 'Any Ole Way' and 'My Lover's Prayer' before dropping back into black and white for his Atlantic hit 'Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song).

Other video clips to be found include 'Try A Little Tenderness' ' Respect' and Sam Cooke's 'Shake' together with 'The Glory Of Love'

There really is only one way to appreciate the work, time and effort that has gone into this project and that is buy a copy without delay and cherish the memories and nostalgia of the late, great, Otis Redding.

You may also wish to check out another DVD featuring Otis entitled The Stax Story.

Rating 10/10