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(More customer reviews)This is a DVD documetnary on a truly great artist done ABSOLUTELY RIGHT and as Otis would say in "Hard to Handle"-yessiram!
Unlike most docuemtaries of musicians, these guys undertsand that this is the DVD age where they are not limited by time for commercials so they put the films of Otis' sngs IN THEIR ENTIRETY balancing this with enough interview footage from those who really know him (no second-guessing talking head academics here). These combine to make this DVD a TEN-star winner.
Surprisingly, no footage from Otis' classic 1966 appearance on the British TV show Ready Steady Go (which occasionally appeared on American Cable TV in the late 80s and was available on VHS for a brief spell) is included, but as magnificent as that was, it's hardly missed here since what we have is so excellent and The Big-O's likeable charisma shines through on even the lip-synchs. The songs from "The!!!Beat" (1966) in color, especially a rarely heard tune called "Don't Mess With Cupid" is loads of fun with our man dancing with some really sumptious soul sisters (hard to believe these women are probably now in their sixties!).
The promotional clip of "Tramp" (minus Carla Thomas on film) is quite a hoot! Otis makes fun of his country image by bumbling around his farm in Macon with overalls and riding bareback on a donkey (that actually moves in time to the song). Then we see our hero transformed with a green suit to match the dollar bills that fall from his pockets (eerily, he also poses with the very plane that he lost his life in)! I recall one book saying that there is a lost TV clip of Otis and Carla doing a "Black honeymooners" routine to this song. That would be interesting to see.
The last two clips of our humble hero performing "Try a Little tenderness" and "Respect" in Cleveland n the day before his death with the original Bar Kays (who also died on that plane crash). These guys really did perform as if it's their last day on earth and Otis' interjection of Areath Franklin's version of his famous tune will knock you out of your seat!
The Redding Family, musicians Steve Cropper and Wayne Jackson, as well as Stax head honcho Jim Stewart make clear their affection for our man and what made him so special. After you see this wonderful DVD, you too will undertstand. Support DVD's like this to get more domestic bootleg-free classic R&B on DVD.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Dreams To Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding (2007)
Dreams To Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding features16 complete performances filmed throughout America and Europe showcasingwhy Otis is considered one of the greatest soul singers of all time.Interspersed between the songs are 40 minutes of interviews filmedexclusively for this DVD with Steve Cropper (Booker T. and The MGs), JimStewart (founder of Stax Records), Wayne Jackson (Memphis Horns), and OtisRedding's wife Zelma.Includes staggering versions of "I Can't Turn YouLoose", "Respect", "I've Been Loving You Too Long", "Try a LittleTenderness" (filmed the day before Otis's tragic death) and more, all inre-mastered sound and video.Produced by Reelin' In The Years Productions,the acclaimed team that produced the Motown "Definitive Performances"series including the TheTemptations- Get Ready: The Definitive Performances 1965- 1972, Marvin Gaye- The Real Thing In Performance: 1964- 1981 and Smokey Robinson and TheMiracles: DefinitivePerformances 1963 - 1967 as well as the Grammy nominated American FolkBlues Festival DVD series (four volumes); this 90 minute DVD is the firstfull-length program to commemorate the legacy of Otis Redding and paints astirring portrait of an artist whose music remains as powerful andinfluential as it was 40 years ago. Complete Performances: Pain In My Heart (1965) Mr. Pitiful (1965) Just One More Day (1965) I Can't Turn You Loose (1966) I've Been Loving You Too Long (1967) Satisfaction (1967) My Girl (1967) Don't Mess With Cupid (1966) Any Ole Way (1966) My Lover's Prayer (1966) Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) (1967) Tramp (1967) Shake (1967) Glory Of Of Love (1967) Try A Little Tenderness (1967) Respect (1967)
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