Release date: 19-04-2003 (originally released in 1968)

2003 US limited edition 11-track LP pressed on HIGH DEFINITION 180gram VIRGIN VINYL, originally released posthumously on Volt in 1968, includes the classics '[Sittin' On] The Dock Of The Bay' and 'Don't Mess With Cupid', presented in sealed & stickered picture sleeve

Tracks:
01. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
02. I Love You More Than Words Can Say
03. Let Me Come On Home
04. Open The Door
05. Don't Mess With Cupid
06. The Glory Of Love
07. I'm Coming Home
08. Tramp
09. The Huckle-Buck
10. Nobody Knows You (When Your Down And Out)
11. Ole Man Trouble

Otis Redding s The Dock Of The Bay album-spotlighting the deliciously wistful 67 chart-topper of the same name-stamped his Hall Of Fame ticket forever. Cut from the original analog masters and now available on rock-solid 180-gram vinyl, The Dock Of The Bay, cut just before his tragic plane crash in 1967, finds Otis Redding at the absolute peak of his art. And that’s as good as it gets!

Released shortly after his death, this album was the first of several posthumous Otis Redding releases. The fabulous title track reached number one on both the pop and R&B charts, introducing Otis' talent and emotive energy to a much wider (and whiter) audience. Inspired by the Beatles' adventurous songwriting, and his positive experience at the Monterey Pop Festival, he wrote "The Dock of the Bay" while relaxing in Sausalito. He recorded it on December 7, 1967, three days before the airplane crash that would take his life and four members of his touring band, The Bar-Kays. The song was unlike anything he had released thus far, and showed the promising artistic direction he was headed in. Guitarist, co-writer, and friend Steve Cropper compiled this tribute album around it, gathering together some of his past singles, along with the unreleased ballad "Open The Door." There are plenty of great songs, such as the magnificent "Let Me Come On Home," "Don't Mess With Cupid," and his classic duet with Carla Thomas, "Tramp." The funky "Huckle-Buck" is from the Stax "Stay In School" record, and two fine cuts from earlier albums close out the set. As always, the backing musicians on all of the tracks are the fantastic Stax players of Booker T. & The MG's and the Mar-Keys. -by Michael Sean