Anyway, I believe Otis is one of the few cats who was able to get away with simpish tendencies. Of course, you can get away with almost anything if you do it the right way–and with style. When you’re scraight–that’s what I said–out da Georgia woods, your beggin’ has some genuineness (Is that a word?) to it. We tolerate it from the old-school cats ’cause they just did it better.

For the record, “Tramp” is my shiznit…

In talking about lists, I think it would be interesting to do something with all of the Prince proteges–The Time, Jesse Johnson, The Family, Ta’mara and the Seen, Maserati, et al… It’d be interesting to see what you come up with. Of course, it’d have to be stuff His Royal Badness had his stilettos in.

Otis had that “gravelly” resonance that would always get him attention in any setting. Sam Cooke was the good looking, smooth talking devil who had a sophisticated approach to the woman’s heart. Otis looked like he was 46 when he was only 26. He was country. Otis seemed like the kinda cat that would do something “ingnant” to get the girl, like Coffee and Cigarettes joint.

I liked the way that these cats seemed to shadow each other’s career. I don’t see much evidence of rivalry or jelousy between the two.

Aretha Franklin had hits with songs written by both of these guys. Maybe we could have a list for her sometime soon.

Keep up the good work.

Question: In Dock of the Bay, is that actually Otis whistling? I’ve wanted to know since I was a kid…it just sounds so clear, I’ve always wondered if it was a person or an instrument…

It’s a person, but I’m not sure who that is.