Otis Redding & Carla Thomas King & Queen 150g LP (Vinyl)

Featured in Michael Fremer's Heavy Rotation in the August 2001 Issue of Stereophile!

Otis Redding & Carla Thomas recorded one album together, but it is an R&B gem. Motown started the duet album trend by pairing Marvin Gaye with Mary Wells, Kim Weston & most famously Tammi Terrell, so this was Stax/Volt's rebuttal. The album is made up of mostly covers, but Mr. Redding & Ms. Thomas attack the songs with a ferocity and verve that makes them sound all there own. Mr. Redding's smooth voice easily mingles with the sass of Ms. Thomas' and this is no better illustrated than on "Tramp" which is pure Southern Soul. They do a tender take on Sam & Dave's "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" and Aaron Neville's "Tell It Like It Is" while ripping it up on Eddie Floyd's "Knock On Wood" & "Lovey Dovey". It is interesting to hear them do the Gaye/Weston song "It Takes Two" as there is always was a rivalry between Motown & Stax/Volt. King & Queen was a boastful title and the two more than live up to the claim. - Thomas Magnum

Selections: Knock On Wood, Let Me Be Good To You, Tramp, Tell It Like It Is, When Something Is Wrong With My Baby, Lovey Dovey, New Year’s Resolution, It Takes Two, Are You Lonely For Me Baby, Bring It On Home To Me, Ooh Carla, Ooh Otis.