Monday, June 30, 2014

Otis Redding




 Otis Redding was a great singer/songwriter from Georgia who died in 1967 in a plane crash at the age of 26.  Just four days before this tragedy, he recorded the song that went to number one on the charts: "Sittin' OnThe Dock of the Bay".
Otis Redding was discovered after recording "These Arms Of Mine", a song that he wrote himself. The band at the Sunflower Festival played this song last year and spoke about the great Otis Redding.  The song was so good, I just had to search out Otis Redding singing it... I have it here for you.  No fancy gimmicks, no flashy costumes, just pure heart-felt, soulful talent.  Enjoy.
 
 
I am sorry that we will not have the Sunflower Festival this year, I will miss it!
My Dad loves music too, he told me one year that if I couldn't find him that he would be next to the bandstand... or in his words, "if you cain't find me, I'll be where the music is!"
 
 

34 comments:

  1. Thank you for that intro to Otis Redding's song. I don't think I knew that about him, nor about his death, even though Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay is one of my favorite songs from those days, one of those songs that hold lots of deep personal emotion within them in some mysterious way, recalling youthful days, dreams, feelings. This seems to be a "musical memory lane" day on my blogroll, as I just finished reading a post on "Being Transformed" about Art Garfunkle and got all teary eyed watching a video Bonnie included there! Now, if someone else has written a post on Ray Charles' "Rainy Night in Georgia" I think it will just be too much for one day!

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    1. Hello Sara!
      I hope you see few hearts in the sunflower header that I have just now!
      Such wonderful feeling conveyed in his voice, and like you, that was one of the great songs from the 60's, and of course, there were so many.
      Love Art Garfunkel and his amazing voice too.
      Speaking of Ray Charles, I have a video of him singing "America' on my post for July 3rd. Have a happy 4th.

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    1. All the more reason we should honor the songs that he left to us!

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  3. He is one more of a number of great musicians who died way too early. This kind of thing always leaves me wondering what else they would have come up with during their lives, in terms of great songs and musical innovations.
    I do hope the Sunflower Festival will be back next year!

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    1. I also wonder about those who were taken from us too early. John Lennon is one, Such a shame that he was killed just at the beginning of the 80's and we will never know what music he could have given us.

      I also hope for the Sunflower Festival next year! I just noticed that I have had this same song when I told you about the Festival last year, but I didn't remember doing it! What a goofus I can be, but hey, you know that!!

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  4. Always liked Otis, old enough to remember when he died. Sad, just as he was become famous.

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    1. I remember the DJ's solemnly telling us that the singer of the great song "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay" had died in a plane crash. In Georgia, we were proud he was from here.

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  5. My Sweetie is like that, always near the music! It's in the blood.

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    1. Yes! Me too, I take after my Dad and his Dad, my grandfather. My Dad told me that he never missed listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio, NEVER missed it!

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  6. Kay, the silliness you mention in your comment on my blog, is not silly at all. A lot of those communities were Hassidic communities, and the Hassidic Jews have an emphasis and gift for bold interaction with God. You can get a good glimpse of this in Elie Wiesel's "Sous on Fire", a highly readable enjoyable book.

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    1. Thank you for not thinking I am silly! I really loved the movie, "Fiddler On The Roof" , the way the character would just talk simply and openly and in a sincere and serious manner, and yet, at times, in a humorous way!
      Thanks for telling me about that book.
      "Bold interaction with God", I hope for that.
      God bless you in your new church.

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  7. I never heard this song before. Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay was absolutely one of my favorites.

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    1. Hey!
      Glad you like this one too! Have a happy 4th!

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  8. Wonderful song to stroll through your blog posts. Happy Summer, Kay!

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    1. Oh, thank you! Hope you have a great summer too right next door in Alabama!

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  9. I did not know (or forgot...getting old here) that Otis Redding was so darn young when he died. What a loss.

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    1. I know, and I think his songs should be recognized! We need to hear good music.

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  10. "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay"....what memories that wonderful song rekindles.

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    1. The 60's, wow, the music was incredible, wasn't it?

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  11. Your father and I have that in common then.

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  12. I LOVE LOVE Otis Redding, I have a CD of his somewhere...
    Your sunflower header is gorgeous!
    ~Dorothy~

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    1. Hey Dorothy!
      So lovely to see your comment here, my dear!
      I am happy that you like this too.
      Have a happy 4th of July!!

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  13. I remember when he died. I must have heard "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay," at least 100 times when I spent part of the summer of 1967 at my Aunt Louise's in Springfield, Mass. I never dreamed that summer that I would end up living in the USA and becoming an American! Wow! So many wonderful singers died too young. Your dad sounds like a great guy!

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    1. I know that I did the same, the song played on the radio constantly. I don't even think that we bought the single, we heard it so much, I loved it!
      My Dad IS a great guy, from the generation that Mr. Zamperini likes to call the "Hardy Generation". Happy 4th, my fellow American!! (I sound like LBJ! LOL)

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    1. Oh my, even Scrooge McDuck admits that this singer is good!
      :-)

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  15. "Sitting on the dock of the bay." One of the world's great songs.

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    1. I agree! And I know that the modern music today must compete with the outrageous behaviors and the "edgy" way of looking at the world but I just wish that we could get back to recognizing beautiful voices and lovely melodies.

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  16. Very good song! Nice memories and post.
    Tnx a lot for your nice comments always!
    Blessed day to you:-)

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    1. Oh hello my friend in Norway!
      A blessed day to you as well, Keep climbing those mountains for me!

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  17. A beautiful song. I remember when these were the current songs on the radio....Oh, I love your father's quote......Words for a good life!

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    1. Yes! The 60's remind me of that Dickens quote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times".
      And my Dad! He is amazing, he can say exactly what he means in just a few words. Oh, that there could be more people like him in the world!

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