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Otis Taylor — Ten Million Slaves
Album: Respect the Dead
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1134









Released: 2002
Length: 3:11
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Rain and fire crossed that ocean
Another mad man done struck again
Rain and fire crossed that ocean
Another mad man done struck again

Sitting down here fallout shelter
Paint my walls, twice a week
Sitting down here fallout shelter
Think about the slaves, long time ago

Ten million slaves crossed that Ocean
They had shackles on their Legs
Ten million slaves crossed that Ocean
They had shackles on their Legs

Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been
Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been

Sun goes out, you'll be standing
You'll be standing by yourself
Sun goes out, you'll be standing
You'll be standing by yourself

Ten million slaves crossed that Ocean
They had shackles on their legs
Ten million slaves crossed that Ocean
They had shackles on their legs

Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been
Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been

Ten million slaves crossed that ocean
They had shackles on their legs
Food goes bad, food looks Rancid
But they ate it anyway

Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been
Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been

Sun goes out, you'll be standing
You'll be standing all alone
Sun goes out, you'll be standing
You'll be standing all alone
All alone, all alone, all alone, all alone, all alone
Comments (55)add comment
First heard this in the film "Public Enemies" (in the scene where Pretty Boy Floyd is chased and killed in a cornfield) and have been a fan of Otis ever since. He calls his music "trance blues".  Alas no new music from him since 2017. 
Posted 1 year ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
 1014152609 wrote:

That distortion sound in the background really is unnecessary 


It's either a guitar or bass, and I think important to the background.
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]

Awesome music!!!

YARN | Otis! My Man!! | Animal House (1978) | Video gifs by ...
Posted 1 year ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
.....
Posted 2 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
sounds like a bluegrass ray charles
Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Omg, for a moment it sounded like Bill was playing Leo Morocholi cover of Sultans of Swing, which starts with a Banjo very much like this track.

Check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0RV0kgdqJU
Posted 2 years ago by maxvonevil    [ Reply ]
wow

ray charles
Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Ah, I hear what ya did there, BillG; played this after D'Angelo's Unshaken.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
That distortion sound in the background really is unnecessary 
Posted 5 years ago by 1014152609    [ Reply ]
 Shawnmcc wrote:
Great song, but is that inane electronic buzzing really necessary? Doubt it.


 
Do you mean the distorted, fuzz guitar sound?  Apparently he thought it was necessary, despite your doubts.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Wow.  That just gives me the chills.  
Posted 5 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
Wish I could play the banjo as well as this. Enjoying this version
Posted 5 years ago by shakylegs    [ Reply ]
Bill thanks, good to hear Otis. Have heard him playing on the Gary Moore album Bad For You Baby 2008. It would be great to hear Gary Moore on RP! 
Posted 6 years ago by Steve_G    [ Reply ]
See Otis live, especially if Anne Harris is with him....  {#Clap}
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
 Shawnmcc wrote:

Great song, but is that inane electronic buzzing really necessary? Doubt it.

 
I don't hear that.  Try plugging the jacks in all the way.  Plus I think the number is more than 10 million by now.
Posted 12 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
I saw Otis on the San Diego blues cruise last Oct.... Jaw dropping shows he did.....I mean stunning, and he is very nice as well..... His daughter plays bass with the band and he had a violinist named Anne Harris, she is sooooo good... Look her up, check it out.....I haven't seen any other show quite like it. 
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
This rocks.
Posted 13 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]



Posted 13 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]

Great song, but is that inane electronic buzzing really necessary? Doubt it.


Posted 13 years ago by Shawnmcc    [ Reply ]
This is awesome, I gotta check more o this dude out!{#Cheers}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
gee, I like this.
Posted 14 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
"Trance blues" hmmmm, nice...{#Cowboy}  most excellent 8.

Posted 14 years ago by nicolewe    [ Reply ]
Never heard of Otis Taylor until a couple months ago when we were at the Doheny Blues Festival.  He played this song, which really caught my attention as were we walking by, so we stayed and listened to the rest of his set.  Gotta say though that I like his version on "Recapturing the Banjo" better than this one.

Posted 14 years ago by Rogerbr    [ Reply ]

"Otis!  My man!"

Posted 14 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 Ando wrote:
This guy's voice was the best part of the (not so great) movie Public Enemies.
 
I loved this song in that movie.


Posted 14 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
This guy's voice was the best part of the (not so great) movie Public Enemies.
Posted 14 years ago by Ando    [ Reply ]
Not my thing, but I know you wouldn't hear this anywhere else.
Posted 15 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Like waiting for the train with pennies on the track.

Posted 15 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
Go to the download service of your choice and check this guy out.

If you're anything like me, it'll be an expensive but worthwhile visit.
Posted 15 years ago by kbewley    [ Reply ]
As always,you are on top off things Bill!

Posted 15 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
proper stuff...don't mince the story.gets lost if ya do...Love it ...according to the news...we ...hem!!! he be singing about Child slavery....as close to home as Haiti...the selling of children for servitude to assholes that treat them as slaves sicko's
Posted 16 years ago by cattail321    [ Reply ]
His website calls this "trance blues". I really like it! Thanks, Bill. Another artist "found" through RP.
Posted 16 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Wow, never heard this, or of Otis Taylor (so shoot me), but I'm enjoying this song. I'm getting a Richie Havens "Freedom" vibe from this.
Posted 16 years ago by shakylegs    [ Reply ]
Wonderful, earthy groovy blues
Posted 16 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
Otis my Man , We love ya !
Posted 17 years ago by YA_MAN    [ Reply ]
fatcatjb wrote:
this is great! Something new for me, so thanks yet again, RP I am hearing more and more banjo...is it experiencing a crossover revival?
I can answer that question in one word: Bela
Posted 17 years ago by Wilmshurst    [ Reply ]
Awesome!
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
I bought this CD from iTunes and have completely worn it out on my ipod...the whole damn thing is amazing, as amazing as this song. I've never heard anyone do so much with so little
Posted 17 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
wally42 wrote:
Let's hear more Otis!
yes please
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
This one haunts me. Great stuff.
Posted 17 years ago by djinnthespazz    [ Reply ]
this is great! Something new for me, so thanks yet again, RP I am hearing more and more banjo...is it experiencing a crossover revival?
Posted 17 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
Dave_Mack wrote:
Very interesting. Is that Johnette, or whatever her name is, from Concrete Blonde, singing the "hey hey"s? Or maybe Toni Childs? (No backing vocals show on the credits on AMG)
It's his daughter Cassie Taylor
Posted 17 years ago by RockinBlueVoodoo    [ Reply ]
Let's hear more Otis!
Posted 17 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
Very interesting. Is that Johnette, or whatever her name is, from Concrete Blonde, singing the "hey hey"s? Or maybe Toni Childs? (No backing vocals show on the credits on AMG)
Posted 17 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
I like this!
Posted 17 years ago by 67nj    [ Reply ]
diggin this!
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
This one sticks with me. In a good way. Been waiting to hear it again.
Posted 18 years ago by djinnthespazz    [ Reply ]
Whoa - I almost panicked because I heard an insect flying in my earphones. Is that just me? I don't like the song apart from that either.
Posted 18 years ago by sjuttiosju    [ Reply ]
this guy puts on a great live show. trance blues, they call it. the jams are sweet!
Posted 18 years ago by fearlessfreep    [ Reply ]
great!
Posted 18 years ago by iMacomania    [ Reply ]
Great picking on this song. Any one know what the rest of the cd is like?
Posted 18 years ago by sarah_mae    [ Reply ]
the_om wrote:
You gotta...treat her like a lady... Do you hear it?
I hear it. ButI like this. Give it a 7.
Posted 18 years ago by cesare    [ Reply ]
You gotta...treat her like a lady... Do you hear it?
Posted 18 years ago by the_om    [ Reply ]
DaGmaing wrote:
I like this tune.
me too :)
Posted 19 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
I like this tune.
Posted 19 years ago by DaGmaing    [ Reply ]