In 1966, Soul man Otis Redding‘s career was on the ascent, and it was thanks in part to his hit single, “Try A Little Tenderness,” one of the all-time greatest soul ballads. The album on which it appeared, Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul. “My Lover’s Prayer” is a definite highlight, and it is notable not only for Redding’s powerful, emotional singing, but also for the fact that it was one Redding penned himself. Tragically, this up-and-coming singer’s career would be cut short on December 10, 1967, when he would perish in a plane crash that also claimed most of his backing band, The Bar-Kays.

To celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary, it has recently been reissued in expanded form, offering both mono and stereo versions of the album, as well as a handful of outtakes, live performances, and alternate version.

Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul is available now via Atlantic Records.

Purchase:  Amazon