I cannot imagine a summer day without a bit of soul. Today I am treating my ears to the sounds of Otis Redding’s Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. I love this album. I was cut in the Spring and Summer of 65 and released in the Fall. It is considered by many to be the best soul album of all time. Regardless of what you have heard you need to check out this album. It is a must have in any collection.

Track three “Change is gonna come” is a beautiful reminder of yesterday’s art of protest. This is my favorite track on the album. It is Otis’ tribute to Sam Cooke. Who died the previous Winter.

The subtle tones move you towards a tender end in the song. There is a hope present in the midst of anger and frustration. The change expected is deep and the faith even deeper. The demand for change is not one of dominance. It harkens to a change of biblical proportions. It is a soulful embodiment of the Sermon of the Mount as sung by Otis.

I am not too fond of the version of “Satisfaction.” I am still not willing ot listen to My Girl, a song that will conjure up a memory or two for everyone. I sexiest song on the album is “I have been loving you too long.” If I ever get to make a movie about my life this song will be in it. It might be the sexiest song ever recorded.

I enjoy Otis’ rendition of “Respect” better than the more popular Aretha’s hit. I love the slower and more deliberate call to respect. It is rather understated and very powerful. It is a beautiful anthem for anyone’s dark night of the soul.

The track “Wonderful World” is the most fun track on the album is another tribute to Sam Cooke. I do like Sam’s version better. To have Otis cover this song in the sultry, lovely way Otis does is amazing.

The last track “You don’t miss your water” reminds me of baptism and the intimate relationship it signifies. The lyrics go…

In the beginning

You really loved me, oh

I was too blind

I could not see, now

But now that you left me

OOH, how I cried out, I keep crying

You don’t miss your water

‘Till your well are undried

I kept you crying

Sad and blue, oh my, oh

I was a playboy

I just wouldn’t be true

But now that you left me

Good Lord, how I cried, I keep crying, I keep crying

Ooh, I’ve been miss my water

No I never miss my water

‘Till my well are undried

I sit here and wonder

How in the world this could be, my, oh my

I never thought, oh, I never thought

You ever leave me

But now that you left me

Good Lord, good Lord, how I cried out

You don’t miss your water

You don’t miss your water

‘Till your well are undried

Ooh, You don’t miss your water, oh

You don’t miss your water

‘Till your well are undried

I miss my water

I keep missing my water

I keep missing my water

And I want my water

I need my water

I love my water

And I want my water

And I’am little destined now

And I’am little destined now

I want my water

I need wanting my water…

How many of us need our water? Or remember where our water flows from? Do you remember when you where baptized and how do you celebrate that day?