From the Vault...

11/14/2004
#916

info
Sam Cooke
"The Man And His Music"


© RCA Records

Year of Release: 1985
Rating:

track listing
  • Touch The Hem
    Of His Garment
  • That's Heaven To Me
  • I'll Come Running
    Back To You
  • You Send Me
  • Win Your Love For Me
  • Just For You
  • Chain Gang
  • When A Boy
    Falls In Love
  • Only Sixteen
  • Wonderful World
  • Cupid
  • Nothing Can Change
    This Love
  • Rome Wasn't Built
    In A Day
  • Love Will Find A Way
  • Everybody Loves To
    Cha Cha Cha
  • Another Saturday Night
  • Meet Me At
    Mary's Place
  • Having A Party
  • Good Times
  • Twistin' The Night
    Away
  • Shake
  • Somebody Have Mercy
  • Sad Mood
  • Ain't That Good News
  • Bring It On Home
    To Me
  • Soothe Me
  • That's Where It's At
  • A Change Is
    Gonna Come

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    Sam Cooke related sites:
    Sam Cooke Website
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    Sam Cooke
    "The Man And His Music"



    Sam Cooke -- a gifted singer, it was a shame his life was cut short, due to a dispute with a woman who shot Cooke to death in self-defense. Cooke's music has been inspired by many artists in later decades. Pure soul and gospel, Cooke's legacy has been heavily enjoyed with the music he left behind. RCA's compilation "The Man And His Music" features 28 of his hits, most well-remembered, some of his earliest recordings, and other gems.


    Starting out in gospel, the first two songs captures soul and gospel at its finest -- "Touch The Hem Of His Garment" and "That's Heaven To Me." Pure R&B best describes "I'll Come Running Back To You," and the first of many of his well-known popular hits, "You Send Me" would become his only #1 hit. "Win Your Love For Me" has a more 1950s Harry Belafonte feel, and "Just For You" has a perfect 1950s R&B/Soul sound.


    Another popular song was "Chain Gang" and this song should not be a stranger familar with the early years of rock & roll. "When A Boy Falls In Love" is a beautiful soulful ballad, "Only Sixteen" would be another Sam Cooke favorite, as groups as Dr. Hook would record their own version in the 1970s. Likewise other popular songs, and re-recorded by others -- (Herman's Hermits), "Wonderful World," and "Cupid" (Johnny Nash).


    The typical soulful Sam Cooke sound is heard on the ballads "Nothing Can Change This Love" and "Rome Wasn't Built In A Day." Great 1950 R&B with a gospel touch works well with "Love Will Find A Way." The catchy "Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha" should get repeated listens.


    Another popular favorite was "Another Saturday Night," and like previous songs rerecorded in later years, Cat Stevens would rerecord this classic. The traditional R&B is great on "Meet Me At Mary's Place," "Having A Party" was another great Cooke favorite, likewise "Good Times" (rerecorded in later decades by such artists as Rita Coolidge and Dan Seals) and "Twistin' The Night Away" (used in the soundtrack of Animal House). "Shake" would be rerecorded by Otis Redding a decade later, and I'm sure either his version or Cooke's were used in movie soundtracks as well.


    "Somebody Have Mercy" is another great 1950s R&B number, "Sad Mood" is another great smooth R&B ballad, "Good News" is another song that would be recorded by other artists in later decades, and another well-known song by Cooke which was rerecorded by many, "Bring It On Home To Me" is a classic. Cooke's version of "Soothe Me" is here, but it was Sam & Dave's live version that has always been stapled in my mind. "That's Where It's At" is another soulful R&B number, and another well-known hit, the classic "A Change Is Gonna Come."


    Sam Cooke's The Man And His Music is a great simple compilation of his popular hits and more. We can only imagine the more incredible music he could have recorded, if he had not been killed. There was a movie supposed to be made of his life, and I believe Denzel Washington was scheduled to star. I'm not sure if that movie was made or not, but it sure would be interesting, a great performer's life on the screen, portrayed by an Oscar-winning actor. All in all, Sam Cooke's music is enjoyed for many generations to come.


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    Previous Review: #915
    The Band--Moondog Matinee
    Next Review: #917
    Blue Oyster Cult--Cultosaurus Erectus