Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The latest set of Stax reissues is a series of 10 Profiles, on which fans, friends or associates choose their own favourite tracks by an individual artist - Elvis Costello on Booker T & The MGs, Dan Aykroyd on Eddie Floyd, Mable John on Carla Thomas, etc. The most interesting is probably this compilation of Otis Redding selected by MGs guitarist Steve Cropper, who produced and co-wrote many of the soul giant's classic tracks. Cropper's choice is interesting both for its omissions - no "My Girl", "Respect", "Dock of the Bay" or even "I've Been Loving You Too Long" - and for his preference for alternative takes of many songs: a "Satisfaction" largely indistinguishable from the released version; a delightful country-soul reading of "Champagne and Wine"; a faster "Mr Pitiful"; and a strangely restrained "Happy Song" on which Otis's slightly sombre mood gives the lie to the title. Elsewhere, "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "A Woman, a Lover, a Friend" affirm Redding's debts to Sam Cooke and Ray Charles respectively, while live versions of "Security", "Shake" and "Good to Me" reveal the zip-tight interlocking of his well-drilled bands.
DOWNLOAD THIS: 'Mr Pitiful', 'Shake', 'Champagne and Wine', 'A Change Is Gonna Come'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments