Sam v. Otis

In a moment of drunken clarity, Mike said a few months ago that Otis Redding is a "liar" and that Sam Cooke keeps it "honest." If he means what I think he means, then I think he's definitely something. It's a fun inquiry given that both artists put in their finest vocal performance on the same song, "A Change is Gonna Come":

Everything you need to know about Otis Redding comes when he hits that first chorus. He hits the "looooooong" with a little left off of it and then pushes the note harder, loses it midway and starts the word over, like it wasn't enough the first time. And that's Otis--he troubles the note, prods its, strays on little melismatic detours as if he's singing to convince himself that he's going the right way.

Sam Cooke, on the other hand, isn't trying to convince anyone. He's got the truth before he hits the note, a straight, solid "looooong" and when he stops and picks the word up again, it's not a question; it's an argument. Like he knew that's where he was going all along.

Sam Cooke is Matisse--strong line, bright color--and Otis is Picasso. I'm an Otis guy all the way--liar or not.