Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke was a pioneering American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur known as the "King of Soul" for bridging gospel and pop music. Born Samuel Cook on January 22, 1931, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, he rose to fame with hits like "You Send Me" and "A Change Is Gonna Come" before his death at age 33.
Cooke was one of eight children born to Reverend Charles Cook Sr., a Baptist minister, and Annie May Cooke. His family moved to Chicago in 1933, where he sang in church from age six and joined youth gospel groups like the Singing Children and Highway Q.C.'s by his early teens.
At 19, Cooke became lead singer of the Soul Stirrers, recording gospel classics like "Jesus Gave Me Water." Transitioning to secular music in 1956 under the pseudonym Dale Cooke, he scored his breakthrough hit "You Send Me" in 1957, followed by "Wonderful World," "Chain Gang," and "Twistin' the Night Away." He founded SAR Records and KRC Publishing, influencing soul music's development.
He married Dolores Mohawk in 1953 (she died in 1957) and Barbara Campbell in 1959; they had three children, including daughter Linda. On December 11, 1964, he was fatally shot at 33 by a motel manager in Los Angeles under disputed circumstances ruled justifiable homicide.
Cooke's smooth tenor and compositions shaped artists like Smokey Robinson and Michael Jackson. Posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986), Songwriters Hall of Fame (1987), and awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement (1999).
Ain’t That Good News
Written-By – Sam Cooke
2:28
A2 Meet Me At Mary's Place
Written-By – Sam Cooke
2:40
A3 Good Times
Written-By – Sam Cooke
2:25
A4 Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
Written-By – Sam Cooke
2:30
A5 Another Saturday Night
Written-By – Sam Cooke
2:27
A6 Tennessee Waltz
Written-By – Pee Wee King, Redd Stewart
3:10
B1 A Change Is Gonna Come
Written-By – Sam Cooke
3:10
B2 Falling In Love
Written-By – Harold Battiste
2:40
B3 Home
Written-By – Jeff Clarkson, Harry Clarkson, Van Steeden
2:27
B4 Sittin' In The Sun
Written-By – Irving Berlin
3:12
B5 No Second Time
Written-By – Cliff White
3:00
B6 The Riddle Song
Adapted By – Sam Cooke
2:28
Label: RCA Victor – LSP-2899
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1964
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Released in early 1964, Sam Cooke’s Ain't That Good News is a critically acclaimed masterpiece and the last album released in his lifetime, blending upbeat soul with poignant, mature ballads. Featuring the iconic, defining anthem "A Change Is Gonna Come," the album showcases Cooke's artistic growth, offering a hopeful, soulful, and deeply human record that acts as a poignant final statement.
The album is often described as having a "harder" first side filled with catchy, uptempo pop-soul, while the second side leans into lushly orchestrated ballads and emotional anthems.
The centerpiece is "A Change Is Gonna Come," a landmark in music history with complex production, serving as a powerful Civil Rights anthem that remains one of the most significant songs of the 1960s.
The record reflects Cooke's increased control over his music and material, allowing him to showcase his incredible, velvety vocal range and talent for songwriting. Despite the turbulent times of 1964, the album is marked by an underlying sense of warmth, optimism, and resilience.
Key Tracks:-
"A Change Is Gonna Come": Widely considered one of the greatest songs of all time, offering a deeply personal and emotional experience.
"Good Times": A "bittersweet," high-energy track that captures the feel-good essence of the record's first half.
"Ain't That Good News": The title track, which offers a joyful, gospel-influenced sound.
"Rome Wasn't Built in a Day" & "Meet Me at Mary's Place": High-energy, soulful tracks that showcase the New Orleans sound influences.
Ain't That Good News is widely considered a solid, essential album that, while occasionally showcasing a slight divide between its pop and ballad sides, is elevated by Cooke's unparalleled voice.
It is seen as a "tragically unique" album, representing the pinnacle of a brilliant career cut short. Critics and fans agree that the album, and particularly "A Change Is Gonna Come," is a vital, enduring piece of musical history.
Encore
Written-By – Bushkin, DeVeries 2:51
A2 Someday
Written-By – Jimmie Hodges 2:14
A3 Along The Navaho Trail
Written-By – Charles, DeLange, Marks 3:05
A4 Running Wild
Written-By – Gibbs, Grey, Wood 1:25
A5 Accentuate The Positive
Written-By – Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer 3:24
A6 Mary, Mary Lou
Written-By – Cayet Mangiaracina 2:44
B1 When I Fall In Love
Written-By – A. Felden 2:41
B2 I Cover The Waterfront
Written-By – Heyman, Green 2:11
B3 My Foolish Heart
Written By – H. Martin, J. Ward, S. Brown 2:20
B4 Today I Sing The Blues
Written-By – Cliff White, Curtis Lewis 3:20
B5 The Gypsy
Written-By – Billy Reid 2:30
B6 It's The Talk Of The Town
Written-By – Neiburg, Livingston, Symes 3:08
Label: Keen – A 2003
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1958
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Soul, Rhythm & Blues
Sam Cooke's Encore (1958) showcases his transition from gospel to pop, featuring smooth standards and early self-penned hits like "Win Your Love for Me," but some critics find its big band/lounge style (emulating Nat King Cole) safer and less soulful than his singles, offering a glimpse into his mainstream aspirations amidst an otherwise brilliant, but sometimes "harmless," crooning performance, especially alongside his debut Songs by Sam Cooke.
Encore leans into the sophisticated, clean-cut pop-crooner style, with Cooke covering standards like "Moonlight in Vermont" and "Danny Boy" with a smooth, almost "Sinatra-esque" delivery, a departure from the raw gospel of his background.
The album features the Bumps Blackwell Orchestra, a small combo with prominent guitar, giving it a classy but sometimes "lo-fi" sound compared to his clearer singles.
Some listeners find the material a bit too "white-bread" or "harmless," wishing he'd focused more on his innate soul, while others appreciate the tasteful, elegant arrangements.
Tracks like "Win Your Love for Me" and "Let's Go Steady Again" shine as early examples of his original pop flavor, and the album provides a contrasting texture to his groundbreaking singles.
It's often reviewed as part of his early Keen years, reflecting his initial goal to be a broad mainstream entertainer before his powerful, socially conscious hits emerged, notes byjeffburger.com.
Encore is a valuable, but divisive, part of Cooke's catalog; a solid collection of standards showing his versatility, but not always capturing the groundbreaking soul power he would soon unleash, making it a fascinating listen for understanding his early career path.
My Kind Of Blues
Written-By – Russell, Ellington 3:10
A2 Little Girl Blue
Written-By – Rodgers - Hart 2:55
A3 Nobody Knows When You're Down And Out
Written-By – Jimmie Cox 3:20
A4 Out In The Cold Again
Written-By – Bloom, Koehler 2:25
A5 But Not For Me
Written-By – George And Ira Gershwin 2:29
A6 Exactly Like You
Written-By – Fields - McHugh 2:05
B1 I'm Just A Lucky So And So
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Mack David 3:10
B2 Since I Met You Baby
Written-By – Ivory Joe Hunter 3:00
B3 Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
Written-By – Warfield, Williams 2:08
B4 Trouble In Mind
Written-By – Richard M. Jones 2:55
B5 You're Always On My Mind
Written-By – J. W. Alexander 2:12
B6 The Song Is Ended
Written-By – Irving Berlin 2:07
Label: RCA – LSP-2392
Format: Vinyl, LP, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1961
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Soul, Jazz, Blues
Sam Cooke's My Kind of Blues (1961) is generally seen as a solid, enjoyable effort, showcasing his soulful voice on standards with a jazzy, horn-driven, Vegas-tinged sound, though some critics find its pop-oriented production less "gritty" than true blues, with praised tracks like "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out," marking a step up from his more saccharine pop albums.
It's more a pop-jazz/swing album with blues themes than raw, traditional blues, featuring tasteful horns and piano. The production is a bit "Vegas," but with more emphasis on brass and piano than strings, making it less schmaltzy than some other efforts.
Track Highlights: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "Little Girl Blue," "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out," "But Not For Me," and "Trouble In Mind" are often mentioned as standout tracks. Cooke's smooth, captivating voice shines, delivering heartfelt performances, even on less gritty tracks.
While not a groundbreaking blues record, it's considered a good collection of standards, a step up from his more pop-focused albums like Cooke's Tour, and a decent listen for fans of his vocal talent.
In Summary, My Kind of Blues offers a "come of age" feel for Cooke, blending standards with his signature soulful delivery and a tight band, making it a worthwhile listen for those who appreciate his voice and a smoother, swinging take on blues classics.
Night Beat
A2 Lost And Lookin' (J. W. Alexander, Lowell Jordan 2:09)
A3 Mean Old World (Sam Cooke 3:44)
A4 Please Don't Drive Me Away (Charles Brown, Jesse Ervin 2:12)
A5 I Lost Everything (Ella Tate 3:19)
A6 Get Yourself Another Fool (Ernest Tucker, Frank A. Haywood 4:00)
B1 Little Red Rooster (Willie Dixon 2:50)
B2 Laughin' And Clownin' (Sam Cooke 3:34)
B3 Trouble Blues (Charles Brown 3:18)
B4 You Gotta Move (Sam Cooke 2:35)
B5 Fool's Paradise (Johnny Fuller 2:32)
B6 Shake Rattle And Roll (Charles Calhoun 3:22)
Label: RCA Victor – LPM-2709
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1963
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Sam Cooke's Night Beat (1963) is widely hailed as a masterpiece, a rare, intimate, small-group album showcasing his voice stripped of lush arrangements, revealing raw emotion, soulful blues, and profound melancholy over lost love, with standout tracks like "Lost and Lookin'" and "Laughin' and Clownin'," making it an essential, immersive listen for fans wanting to hear the deeper, sadder side of "Mr. Soul". Critics praise its mature, moody atmosphere, impeccable musicianship, and the poignant, almost hypnotic performance on sparse tracks, establishing it as a bluesy, deeply personal gem in his discography.
Unlike his pop hits, this album features minimal instrumentation (bass, drums, organ), creating a close, smoky, late-night feel perfect for intimate storytelling. The album explores grief, heartbreak, and resilience through a series of blues and spiritual-infused songs, showcasing Cooke's vocal power and vulnerability.
Reviewers consistently highlight Cooke's stunning voice, calling it "hypnotically haunting," "velvety," and "poised," allowing him to convey deep feeling effortlessly. It's considered a pivotal album that bridges his pop success with deeper R&B and blues roots, influencing later soul artists.
Many call it one of his finest hours, a true treasure for its rarity and depth. Described as genuine fun in the studio, offering a different, more personal side of the artist. The moodiness foreshadowed later works like "A Change Is Gonna Come".
It reveals the profound, sorrowful artistry beneath his famous upbeat singles. Its cohesive, low-key atmosphere makes for a deeply immersive listening experience. It proves Cooke's genius wasn't just in pop crossover but in delivering raw, soulful emotion.
Overall, Night Beat is an essential listen for any music enthusiast, showcasing Sam Cooke at his most authentic, soulful, and vocally brilliant.
The Two Sides Of Sam Cooke
Arranged By – Sam Cooke
2:57
A2 Touch The Hem Of His Garment
Written-By – Sam Cooke
2:01
A3 Jesus Gave Me Water
Written-By – Lucie Campbell
2:28
A4 Were You There
Arranged By – Senior Roy Crain
2:29
A5 Pilgrim Of Sorrow
Written-By – M. C. Durham
2:36
A6 He's My Guide
Written-By – Sam Cooke
2:33
B1 I'll Come Running Back To You
Written-By – Bill Cook
2:11
B2 I Don't Want To Cry
Written-By – L.C. Cook
2:47
B3 Lovable
Written-By – Sam Cooke, Tony Harris
2:21
B4 That's All I Need To Know
Written-By – L.C. Cook
2:21
B5 Forever
Written-By – Alvin Tyler
2:56
B6 Happy In Love
Written-By – L.C. Cook
1:54
Label: Specialty – SPS 2119
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
The Two Sides Of Sam Cooke, a post-humous 1970 compilation, showcases Cooke's diverse artistry by balancing his secular pop hits with his profound gospel roots, offering listeners a cohesive experience of his smooth vocals on both soulful love songs and spiritually-infused tracks, revealing a deeper, more intimate side to the "King of Soul" often overshadowed by his chart-toppers, with reviewers praising its classic feel and demonstrating why this classic was missed when out-of-print.
The album is noted for its historical importance, documenting the bold move of a gospel superstar to transition into secular music, a move that was "literally sacrilege" at the time. The pop side is seen as containing some of the "best soul singles ever released" and instrumental in giving "birth to an entire genre".
As the title suggests, the album highlights two distinct, yet equally compelling, facets of Cooke's talent: the romantic crooner and the deeply religious gospel singer.
It features powerful readings of biblical stories set to catchy rhythms, making it a valuable tool for understanding Cooke's faith and passion, appreciated by fans and clergy alike.
While some tracks offer upbeat moments, the album generally maintains a low-key, somber, and cohesive atmosphere, allowing Cooke's smooth, expressive voice and soulful delivery to shine.
Some reviewers note that the album "does not work" as a cohesive listening experience due to the stark contrast between the intense gospel songs and the love songs that follow, making the latter "sound off". However, this unique structure also serves to powerfully illustrate the difference in emotional depth between the two styles of music.
The album is seen as a fantastic, essential collection for anyone wanting to explore beyond Sam Cooke's biggest pop hits, revealing the heart and soul of the influential "King of Soul,"