Otis Redding LIVE!!!! At the Whisky Complete

I can only imagine the chaos that happens at the corner of Clark St. and 8901 Sunset Blvd. on a daily bases in the 1960's.  The scene at the Whisky A Go Go was just that, a scene like no other.  It was always hopping with the in crowd or the go go dancers that danced nightly without getting tired and the people who came in and out would talk about it the next day to their friends mentioning that it was a "groovy" time.  They would mention they saw the band Love for the 10th time because they always had a residency or even Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds and who cannot forget The Doors.  This was the place to be for artists and locals alike.  Only wish I had a time machine to see all these people play.  

Looking back I'm surprised that of all the artists who played there only a few recorded albums there.  One artist was Otis Redding.  Otis was the top of his game every night he played there in 1966.  His band was other worldly and his choice of tunes were some of the best ever.  Hearing live versions of his tunes or other people he covered were 110% better then hearing these songs on the studio record they were on.  Otis's banter between songs were priceless.  This is the one of many things that makes this live album priceless.

I really wish I was at these shows.  Any band to be honest, but Otis would have me talking forever.  I would be at all seven shows just watching a genius in action.  I would be thinking of that lighting in a bottle moment like James Brown at the Apollo and just be floored with amazement.  I would only hope that the crowd also was passionate like me and full of energy like Otis to get the best out of every show.

Speaking of Otis, each song he preformed brought the best of him.  His voice is was like no other.  He was one of the first Soul, R&B singers I started liking as a child.  I would hear "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" on the oldies station and was in awe.  Once in a while I heard other tunes of his and it had the same effect.  His music had a great presence in everybody's collection.  My dad had a collection on 8 Track and he showed up there.  My Uncle had a soundtrack or two and his music was there.  It was quite impressive the way he was accepted universally for everyone.

When I first got into the music of Otis Redding beside the stuff I already had, I went to seek out his albums.  I did not know where to start.  The trusty book I keep talking about seemed to find the right path I should choose.  The book was helpful, but the Grateful Dead was even more praise worthy of Otis's music. In one of their bi-monthly newsletters they mentioned that even album is a must own, but the two official live albums Live at the Whisky A Go Go and Live in Europe shows are showing Otis in fine form.  They even praised the Otis at Monterey and mentioned that if it was a full album of the Monterey performances we would be talking about it for a long, long time to come. I personally like all three performances, but Whisky to me is the one that gave him the reputation as a go see act.  Where is that time machine again?

There are many great live albums, but I really believe this is the one that started the live music boom in the record industry.  Sure there is Live at the Apollo, and Live at the Regal and countless others, but I firmly believe that after hearing Otis Redding's live albums record buyers flocked to the store and bought the others. Even after this album came out, other artists such as the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash and countless others saw the raw sound from their awesome performances and went to a gig and recorded something for the fan who missed out.  In result those 70's classic live albums and arena shows packed people had to enjoy the experience too.  There are so many live albums from each decade we go to and this one for me is what we need.

In conclusion, Otis could do no wrong.  His studio albums were stellar and his live albums were wishing we were in that audience.  I have all of Otis's music and I surely would put Live at the Whisky at the top of the list.  When I hear Otis or anyone for that matter, I really wish I was there as a witness and hear it for myself.  I still go to shows, but I don't do the large crowds,  I hate so much the phone taking video or picture public with a passion.  In this age I may be old fashion, but the 60's and the 70's were where it's at.  As Robert Fripp from King Crimson says, "Let your eyes be the video, and let your ears be the audio.  I will be doing more live albums in the future, but for now enjoy this gem.