Original released on LP STAX S 716
(US 1967, March 16)
Otis Redding never recorded a lighter, more purely entertaining record than "King & Queen", a collection of duets with Stax labelmate Carla Thomas. In all likelihood inspired by a series of popular duets recorded by Marvin Gaye - indeed, "It Takes Two," Gaye's sublime collaboration with Kim Weston, is covered here - the record serves no greater purpose than to allow Redding the chance to run through some of the era's biggest soul hits, including "Knock on Wood," "Tell It Like It Is," and "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby," and while clearly not a personal triumph on a par with either "Otis Blue" or "The Dictionary of Soul", the set is still hugely successful on its own terms. Redding and Thomas enjoy an undeniable chemistry, and they play off each other wonderfully; while sparks fly furiously throughout "King & Queen", the album's highlight is the classic "Tramp," where their battle of the sexes reaches its fever pitch in supremely witty fashion. (Jason Ankeny in AllMusic)
1 comentário:
I saw Otis Redding perform in 1967, when I was 16 years old. He was so good, that I started buying his records, including this one when it came out. I haven't seen it in half a century, but I knew what it was before I even read the titles. Thank you for this. I'm going to enjoy it greatly.
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