When Otis Redding played L.A.'s Whisky A Go Go in the spring of 1966, crossover fame was still awaiting him at the Monterey Pop Festival the following summer. This didn't keep a vociferous following (including Bob Dylan and his entourage) from filling up the club to experience the charismatic Redding. Backed by an anonymous band that included a seven-piece horn section, the soulful Georgian opened the set with a rip-snorting version of his "I Can't Turn You Loose," (which the Blues Brothers appropriated as part of their theme over a decade later).

He kept the juices flowing with piston-pumping covers of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag," giving James Brown a run for his money. Redding's gruff voice caressed "Mr. Pitiful" and manhandled the self-penned "Respect" (which Aretha Franklin scored a hit with the next year.) But it was on slower numbers such as the yearning "These Arms Of Mine" where Redding dug deep for the pathos and pain that made him such a soul icon.

Personnel: Otis Redding (vocals); James Young (guitar); Robert Holloway, Robert Pittman, Donald Henry, Albrisco Clark (tenor saxophone); Sammy Coleman, John Farris (trumpet); Clarence Johnson Jr. (trombone); Ralph Stewart (bass); Elbert Woodson (drums). Recorded live at the Whiskey A Go Go, Los Angeles, California on March 31, 1966. Originally released on Atco (33-265). Includes original release liner notes by Pete Johnson. Digitally remastered by Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch.

Format: Vinyl Genre: Funk / Soul

Track Listing:

A1 I Can't Turn You Loose
A2 Pain In My Heart
A3 Just One More Day
A4 Mr. Pitiful
A5 (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
B1 I'm Depending On You
B2 Any Ole Way
B3 These Arms Of Mine
B4 Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
B5 Respect