Otis Clay
Respect Yourself
Blind Pig BPCD 5095
You can always
count on the Blind Pig label to continue their genre bending. With Otis Clay, they have
one of the best proponents of the Soul and Gospel genres. For years, Otis has been giving
the Al Greens and Marvin Gayes of the world, a run for their money. Blessed with a voice
that can be both tender and shake you to your very foundation, Otis Clay is at his best
when in front of a live audience. Leaning more toward the gospel sound, Otis can deliver
the rough; gritty blues as well.
In his career,
Otis laid down Soul on his internationally acclaimed Hi label 70's release, I Can't Take
It. His Gospel and Blues career has been represented on Bullseye Records with This Time
Around and I'll Treat You Right and The Gospel Truth. He even recorded a live recording
called Soul Man-Live In Japan on Bullseye.
With Respect Yourself, Blind Pig has Otis recorded live at the Lucerne Blues Fest in
Switzerland circa November 14, 2003. This collection includes "Nickel and A
Nail" and "Love and Happiness" covered similarly on the Live in Japan.
Respect Yourself is an overview of the genres that Otis has dabbled in throughout his
career. Listen to how he uses his voice and the backup singers to get the party started on
"You're The One". Using horns to punctuate his tunes, Otis Clay knows how to
work the crowd. "When Hearts Grow Cold" lights a fire under everyone and then he
hits the crowd with "Nickel And A Nail" and the soulful "Sho Wasn't
Me". He slows the pace down a bit with his great reading of the Kris Kristofferson
tune, "For The Good Times" and the soulful "I Can Take You To Heaven
Tonight". His Gospel grooves shine through with the audience participation number
"Amen/This Little Light Of Mine". The latter includes stunning vocals from
Sharrie Williams. By the time he hits "Love and Happiness" he is on a stone cold
ride that carries the audience through "I Just Want To Testify" and ends the
recording with the dynamite crowd pleaser, "Respect Yourself". You can almost
feel the intensity as the audience is brought to a sweaty, glorious ending.
Thanks to
Blind Pig for knowing that people will love an artist that can command gospel, soul and
the blues and deliver it to an obviously loving audience. Otis Clay isn't a household name
like the Greens or the Gayes, but he has shown his power on this release as well as other
highlights in the past.
I'm just happy to get to critique an artist this diverse. Look for his other works.
- Big Daddy Hal -
Southwest Blues CD Review - September 2005
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