“Otis Redding” Monochromatic Watercolor on paper. Copyright 2013 Totsymae
Did I ever tell you Otis Redding was my daddy? That’s ’cause he’s not.
Anyhow, I used to see Otis’ younguns at the skating rink when I spent my summers with my paternal grandparents. I never met his boys or ran over them in my skates or nothing of that nature. However, I used to hear Otis bellowing out this music on Saturday mornings in our little abode. I used to wonder about my mama, Why is she playing that old music?
Well, Otis, I felt even then, was a real demanding kinda singer. You couldn’t help but pay attention to him, whether you wanted to or not. Naturally, I began to like his music. And now that I’m a grown folk too, I can appreciate his gift. Maybe taking that music appreciation class helped me out. Shit, a lot of classes have on a good day.
Anyhow, Otis is from Georgia, which makes him extra special. Hint, hint. Every now and then, I like that ole school stuff. Maybe ’cause I also feel I should’ve been a 60s wild child but when I?really ponder the 60s in the south, I feel pretty satisfied I came along when I did. If you can feel me on that, say Amen.
So. Being the music lover that I am and feeling a little ole school today, I wanted to share Mr. Redding with you.
You can learn more about Otis Redding and his music at his official site.
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
Didn’t Otis do “Sittin on the Dock of the Bay?” He was great. I was a wild child in SF during the summer of love (1967). No, I’m lying. I was birthin’ my baby John in 1967. I wasn’t a hippie and I didn’t even smoke pot. (Till much later that is.)
Yep, he did that one too. Better to be knocked up than drugged up, I say.
Amen and Amen.
Isn’t it funny, I was just thinking of this song this morning driving to work. Me? I love the old school stuff all the time my friend, there is nothing like it. My ears are tuned to it and my heart beats to it.
And you know, they sang about something. Told a story and I love stories.
I do as well. The sang about the world, or great love, or great hurt. I replaced all my records with tapes, then with CD’s, still have them but now I am putting them all on IPod’s (yes multiples.
Otis was great, although I liked Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke more. All left us much much too early.
I like them too. Was listening to them last night too on YouTube. And yes, gone much too soon.
I love Otis — and the portrait is wonderful! Matches his music.
Thank you, Elyse.
smooth
You are pumping them out, girl!
I did a few images for my eBook, so that got me pumped to paint more. 2012 wasn’t too productive, creatively speaking. Aiming to change that.