Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

Stax house band member and session guitarist extraordinaire Steve Cropper died this week.  Most people haven't heard of him, but he was instrumental in defining the "Memphis Soul" sound of the 1960s, and co-wrote or played on countless recordings, including decade-defining songs like "Knock on Wood", "In the Midnight Hour", "Soul Man", "Green Onions", and of course, "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay".  

Cropper was a musician's musician, revered for his feel, timing, and soul. Our friend Gregg Brooks told us of his meeting Cropper in 2004. When Gregg told Steve of his love of Al Jackson Jr., Steve showed Gregg one of Al's old kits that was still in the studio. 

Rolling Stone's "12 Essential Steve Cropper Songs" is a great review of his contributions, and had a few surprises for me, including Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night" and Big Star's cover of the Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale".  "Femme Fatale" is one of my favorite songs and I was tempted to use it for Cropper's passing, but upon further reflection, how could I pass up the universally beloved "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay"?

Otis Redding (and Steve Cropper) - "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay"

Bonus link: Big Star - "Femme Fatale"