Otis Redding - Sings Soul Ballads

Otis Redding's 1965 masterpiece The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads stands as one of the most essential soul albums ever recorded, capturing the raw emotional power and vocal mastery that defined the King of Soul. Released just one year after his groundbreaking debut, this album showcases Redding at a pivotal moment in his career—before he became a household name, before "Respect" and "Try a Little Tenderness" would later define him for generations. Here, on Soul Ballads, Redding strips away excess and leans into tender, introspective performances that reveal the vulnerability beneath his tremendous vocal instrument.

The album was recorded at the legendary Stax Records studios in Memphis, backed by the masterful Booker T. & the M.G.'s, whose lean, soulful arrangements provide the perfect counterpoint to Redding's soaring voice. The production features the Memphis Horns and pianist Isaac Hayes, creating a warm, analog-rich soundscape that captures the essence of classic soul music. Each track is a carefully constructed ballad—a meditation on love, longing, and devotion delivered with the kind of authenticity that defined Stax Records' revolutionary approach to soul music. From the immediately captivating "That's How Strong My Love Is" to the heartbreaking intimacy of "For Your Precious Love," every song reinforces why Otis Redding remains one of the greatest vocalists in American music history.

This premium 180-gram vinyl pressing restores the album to its original warmth and depth, allowing listeners to experience the nuanced performance details that make these soul ballads timeless. The recording's organic quality—capturing the presence of Redding in the studio—shines through with exceptional clarity on high-fidelity playback.

Features

• 180g Vinyl LP
• Premium Audiophile Pressing
• Stax Records Classic
• Recorded at Stax Studios, Memphis

Tracklist

1. That's How Strong My Love Is
2. Chained And Bound
3. A Woman, A Lover, A Friend
4. Your One And Only Man
5. Nothing Can Change This Love
6. It's Too Late
7. For Your Precious Love
8. I Want To Thank You
9. Come To Me
10. Home In Your Heart
11. Keep Your Arms Around Me
12. Mr. Pitiful

Notes

• Label: Volt Records / Stax Records
• Original Release: March 1965
• Catalog: S411
• Artist: Otis Redding