Been Loving You Too Long: A Tribute to Otis Redding - Br. John
Reviewed By Peggy Brockschmidt
Fringe Reviewer
Regular KC Fringe attendees know the work of Br. John Anderson. His past shows include tributes to Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson, and Cab Calloway. This year's show showcases many songs we all associate with Otis Redding (the pre-Aretha version of "RESPECT;" and "Try a Little Tenderness;" Sitting on the Dock of the Bay; for example.) More meaningfully, Br. John, structures this "docu-musical" around a fictional radio interview, which fleshes out Redding's family background and musical career.
Redding died in a plane crash over 50 years ago when he was only 26; his posthumous album went platinum. Storyteller and cover artist Br. John makes him come alive for fans and those new to Redding. Guitarist Rick Cole, as Steve Cropper of the Stax Records house band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and vocalist Suzette Woods, as Carla Thomas, "the Queen of Memphis Soul," round out the cast and contribute greatly to this highly entertaining, informative, and crowd-pleasing show.