Fireplug wrote:I don't particularly like Dock of the Bay and, frankly, prefer Respect, Mr. Pitiful etc. but it was a clear sign of a songwriting talent reaching in new directions, open to new ideas, stretching his creative muscles. He was just 26; the next decade could have been really something special for him. But then again, maybe not. Pickett is a good cautionary tale. I still think there was more left in Redding's creative well though.
I think Dock of the Bay is a masterpiece but I also rate Respect, Mr. Pitiful, Try a Little Tenderness etc. That was why I didn't think of him as being on the verge of some great resurgence, I just thought he was always really good. But I think you're right and now I'm even more pissed off that we didn't hear what he was going to do next.