reechie
09-22-2007, 05:55 PM
I can't recommend this enough. Rather than your standard documentary, you get a few comments from folks like Zelma Redding, Steve Cropper and Wayne Jackson, and then they just let the man sing. 90 minutes of complete songs, including TV lip synchs, live footage, a couple of vintage promo clips, and one newly produced video for "(Sittin' On The) Dock Of The Bay".
A couple of highlights: a promo clip for "Tramp" featuring Otis fooling around at a farm in overalls, riding a mule, looking ridiculous. I can imagine why Carla Thomas didn't want to be anywhere near that. Then cut to a more sophisticated Otis in a dapper green suit, showing off his collection of cars, the sign in front of his business offices, the wads of cash in his pocket. All fun until the shot of him standing in front of his private plane, which kind of sends a shiver through you.
Before one TV appearance, some of the interviews make note of how stiff and uncomfortable Otis was when lip synching on TV, and sure enough, he looks clumsy and awkward trying to dance while remembering how he sang the original recording he's miming too. The two go-go dancers with him don't help much. Then a third song from the same show, which he performs live, proving he had the moves, he just didn't fake it well.
Both songs from Otis' final TV appearance, taped in Cleveland less than 24 hours before his death. The performance of "Respect" is interesting, as he adds the familiar "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" break from the Aretha Franklin version, the only Otis version I've ever heard with that phrase added.
There's a lot of great stuff coming from Stax this year, make sure you don't miss this one. :righton:
A couple of highlights: a promo clip for "Tramp" featuring Otis fooling around at a farm in overalls, riding a mule, looking ridiculous. I can imagine why Carla Thomas didn't want to be anywhere near that. Then cut to a more sophisticated Otis in a dapper green suit, showing off his collection of cars, the sign in front of his business offices, the wads of cash in his pocket. All fun until the shot of him standing in front of his private plane, which kind of sends a shiver through you.
Before one TV appearance, some of the interviews make note of how stiff and uncomfortable Otis was when lip synching on TV, and sure enough, he looks clumsy and awkward trying to dance while remembering how he sang the original recording he's miming too. The two go-go dancers with him don't help much. Then a third song from the same show, which he performs live, proving he had the moves, he just didn't fake it well.
Both songs from Otis' final TV appearance, taped in Cleveland less than 24 hours before his death. The performance of "Respect" is interesting, as he adds the familiar "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" break from the Aretha Franklin version, the only Otis version I've ever heard with that phrase added.
There's a lot of great stuff coming from Stax this year, make sure you don't miss this one. :righton: