That Sam Cooke ranks alongside lauded performers such as Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Etta James as one of the greatest soul singers of all time is beyond question. Something not quite so well known is that he was also a very accomplished songwriter, a fact celebrated in this fifth release in Ace,s “Black America Sings” series. As compiler Tony Rounce points out in his notes, of the 35 R&B hits Sam amassed between 1957 and 1965, 25 were written or co-written by him, as were many of their B-sides, and he also penned quite a few numbers specifically for other artists. Several of the songs featured in this collection were hits for Sam, but here we are treated to ‘You Send Me’ by Percy Sledge, ‘Win Your Love For Me’ by Lou Rawls, ‘Love You Most Of All’ by the Persuasions, ‘Wonderful World’ by Johnny Nash, ‘Cupid’ by R.B. Greaves, ‘Bring It On Home To Me’ by Eddie Floyd, ‘Having A Party’ by the Ovations featuring Louis Williams, ‘Somebody Have Mercy’ by Willie Hightower, ‘(Ain’t That) Good News’ by the Supremes (with a rare lead vocal by Florence Ballard), ‘Good Times’ by Aretha Franklin, ‘Shake’ by Otis Redding and Brenton Wood’s version of ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, Sam’s magnum opus. There’s also ‘The Sound Of My Man’ by Theola Kilgore, a ‘Chain Gang’ answer-song.Moreover, Sam ran his own record labels, SAR and Derby, from which this set boasts sides by Johnnie Taylor, the Simms Twins, Johnnie Morisette and Mel Carter. That’s Sam and colleagues J.W. Alexander and Lou Rawls singing the distinctive “hmm-hup-chala” backing chant on Johnnie Taylor’s ‘Rome (Wasn’t Built In A Day)’. Easier to spot is Sam as lead vocalist on ‘That’s Heaven To Me’ by the Soul Stirrers, recorded at his final session as a member of the group.
AMM
The Tasters!
23 comments:
Yes, bring it back home, this looks like a great comp and real heavy weights in the soul music. Sam Cooke was a unique soul artist. thanks AMM.
Thanks AMM for the review of another great selection.
Thank you AMM For this album
Oh yes brilliant, what a collection of Sam Cooke's great songs, thank you very much for reviewing this top CD
Great review. There could be many volumes of Cooke covers . . .
Great review for a Saturday thanks
Looks like a great comp, many thanks for the review.
Love these compilations with names from long ago, but whose voices and legacy still stand the test of time. Real soul music!
Thanks AMM for bringing this review here
Brilliant album all done with passion Thanks AMM
Cheers Pedro
One of the greatest voices and songwriters ever. Thanks for the excellent review!!!
wonder why they missed Lil Richards "Well (All Right)"
anyway thanks for this great set with booklet
Sam Cooke - you almost can't do better with cover versions. Thanks for review, P.
Fantastic review my friend.
Have a soulful sunday.
great compilation of Sam covers AMM thanks Reb
Of all the versions of "Change" Brenton Wood is not the first that springs to mind.
Cheers for reviewing such a great collection
Thanks
Sam Cooke was simply an absolute genius. great review AMM!!
Thanks for a great review AMM
Anothee great review thanks AMM
Yes a great performer, singer and songwriter. Thank you for this review.
Great review MM, thank you.
cheers,ELtel
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