Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke (1940–2010) was an American singer and preacher who became a founding father of soul music in the 1960s. Known as the "King of Rock 'n' Soul," he was a larger-than-life figure who successfully bridged the gap between gospel, country, and rhythm and blues.
Born on March 21, 1940, in Philadelphia, Burke’s life was rooted in the church. He began preaching at age seven at "Solomon's Temple," a congregation founded by his grandmother. By age 12, he was a pastor and hosted a gospel radio show on WHAT-AM. He recorded his first gospel song, "Christmas Presents from Heaven," at age 14 for the Apollo label, which sold over a million copies.
Burke's professional breakthrough came when he signed with Atlantic Records in 1960. Clashing with executives over his sound, he famously coined the term "soul music" to bridge his spiritual background with secular R&B. Burke was legendary for his theatricality, often performing on a massive throne while wearing bejeweled crowns and long purple robes.
His most iconic recordings include "Just Out of Reach" (1961), "Cry to Me" (1962), "If You Need Me" (1963), "You're Good For Me" (1963), "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" (1964), and his only No. 1 R&B hit, "Got to Get You Off My Mind" (1965).
Beyond music, Burke was a prolific businessman and a central figure in a vast family. He was a licensed mortician and owned several funeral homes, drugstores, and a popcorn business. At the time of his death, he had a family of 21 children, 90 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.
After decades away from the mainstream, his 2002 album Don't Give Up on Me won a Grammy Award and revitalized his career. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and is ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
Solomon Burke died of natural causes on October 10, 2010, shortly after arriving at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam for a scheduled performance. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles.
Music To Make Love By
Written-By – Solomon Burke
2:53
A2 Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You
Written-By – Solomon Burke
4:02
A3 Come Rain Or Come Shine
Written-By – Johnny Mercer-Harold Arlen
3:44
A4 You And Your Baby Blues
Written-By – Jerry Styner, Solomon Burke
5:49
B1 All The Way
Written-By – Sammy Cahn-James Van Huesen
4:31
B2 Thanks, I Needed That
Written-By – Solomon Burke
4:29
B3 Everlasting Love
Written-By – Solomon Burke
4:12
B4 Midnight And You
Written-By – Billy Page, Gene Page
4:01
B5 Music To Make Love By (Part 2)
Written-By – Solomon Burke
2:43
Label: Chess – CH 60042
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Solomon Burke's Music to Make Love By album is generally viewed as a pleasant, if somewhat forgettable, foray into Barry White-esque smooth soul, featuring his signature deep voice applying romantic rap over lush, background-friendly tracks, but lacking the raw power of his earlier work, with some critics finding it designed to fade into the background rather than demand attention, yet still possessing redeeming qualities like his vocal presence and a unique concept.
A romantic, late-night album focused on seduction, with Burke delivering spoken-word verses (rap) over instrumental backdrops, featuring smooth, romantic soul, reminiscent of Barry White, with production intended to be unobtrusive, making it ideal for background listening during intimate moments.
Burke's powerful, soulful voice is still present, even when used in a softer, crooning, and rapping style, bringing his unique presence to the material. while some found its subtlety a success for its intended purpose, others felt it lacked the impact and depth of his classic Atlantic Records material, with one review calling it "not a good album" but still acknowledging its success as background music.
In summary, Music to Make Love By showcases a different, smoother side of Solomon Burke, less about fiery soul and more about sensual atmosphere, succeeding as a mood piece but perhaps not as a standout artistic statement in his extensive catalog.
Proud Mary
Written-By – J. Fogerty
3:17
A2 These Arms Of Mine
Written-By – Otis Redding
2:54
A3 I'll Be Doggone
Written-By – Marv Tarlin, William Robinson, Warren Moore
2:56
A4 How Big A Fool (Can A Fool Be)
Written-By – Solomon Burke
2:15
A5 Don't Wait Too Long
Written-By – Mickey Buckins
3:10
B1 That Lucky Old Sun
Written-By – Beasley Smith, Haven Gillespie
3:00
B2 Uptight Good Woman
Written-By – Penn, Jimmy Johnson (4), Oldham
2:42
B3 I Can't Stop (No No No)
Written-By – Dan Penn, Roger Hawkins
2:17
B4 Please Send Me Someone To Love
Written-By – Shirlee Kaplan
3:02
B5 What Am I Living For
Written-By – Art Harris, Fred Jay
2:55
Label: Bell Records – BELL-6033
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Country Soul, Southern Soul, Funk/Soul
Solomon Burke's Proud Mary album (1969) showcases his powerful voice blending gospel, soul, and country, recorded with legendary Muscle Shoals musicians, featuring his iconic, soulful take on the CCR hit and deep cuts like "That Lucky Old Sun," delivering a dynamic Southern soul sound with big gospel choruses and raw emotion, representing a significant period in his career for Bell Records.
A powerful mix of gospel fervor, country storytelling, and raw Southern R&B, featuring Burke's commanding vocals and expressive delivery. Cut in the famed Muscle Shoals, Alabama, studios with session legends like Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, capturing the vibrant Muscle Shoals sound.
His cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary" transforms the rock tune into a soulful, conscious declaration, notes Wikipedia. Includes standout performances on covers like Otis Redding's "These Arms of Mine" and classic standards like "That Lucky Old Sun," building from quiet intimacy to explosive gospel release, notes Sundazed Music.
Proud Mary is a quintessential Soul record, cementing Burke's status as the "Daddy of Soul" and a bridge between gospel and secular music. Co-produced by Burke and his manager/fiancée Tamiko Jones, it blends stripped-down moments with fully produced, choir-backed gospel arrangements.
The reissue of Proud Mary entitled The Bell Sessions adds bonus tracks, offering a comprehensive look at this rich period.
The Best Of Solomon Burke
Written-By – Delores Burke, J. B. Moore, Solomon Burke 2:32
A2 The Price
Written-By – J. B. Moore, Solomon Burke Sr, Solomon Burke Jr. 2:44
A3 Down In The Valley
Written-By – Bert Berns, Solomon Burke 2:31
A4 I'm Hanging Up My Heart For You
Written-By – Don Covay, John Berry 3:00
A5 If You Need Me
Written-By – Robert Bateman, Sonny Sanders, Wilson Pickett 2:30
A6 Just Out Of Reach
Written-By – Virgil F. Stewart 2:46
B1 Cry To Me
Written-By – Bert Russel 2:33
B2 Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
Written-By – Bert Berns, Jerry Wexler, Solomon Burke 2:46
B3 Home In Your Heart
Written-By – Otis Blackwell, Winfield Scott 2:07
B4 Tonight's The Night
Written-By – Don Covay, Solomon Burke 2:46
B5 I Really Don't Want To Know
Written-By – Don Robertson, Howard Barnes 2:58
B6 Words
Written-By – Solomon Burke 2:23
Label: Atlantic – 8109
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Rhythm & Blues
The Best Of Solomon Burke is a foundational 1966 compilation capturing the "King of Rock 'n' Soul's" prime Atlantic years (1960-1966), featuring essential soul hits like "Cry to Me," "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," and "Got to Get You Off My Mind," showcasing his powerful voice and gospel-infused style, produced by legends like Jerry Wexler and Bert Berns, making it a must-have for classic soul fans despite later expanded collections.
It collects his signature songs, solidifying his status as a soul pioneer with tracks like "Just Out of Reach," "If You Need Me," and "Down in the Valley".
The album covers his most influential period on Atlantic Records (1960-1966) before his later career shifts. It features legendary producers Jerry Wexler and Bert Berns, with engineering by Tom Dowd, ensuring top-tier soul sound, and highlights his unique, powerful, gospel-rooted vocal delivery that defined early soul music.
This collection is cited as a critical release for understanding the emergence of soul music. Songs like "Cry To Me" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" set the template for Southern soul ballads and were famously covered by acts like The Rolling Stones and The Blues Brothers.
The album consistently receives high marks from collectors, with average ratings typically around 4.5 out of 5 on platforms like Discogs. Reviewers praise it as a near-perfect sampler, with some noting potential misjudgments in later arrangements, but affirming the core brilliance here.
This compilation serves as an excellent entry point or core collection for Burke's best work, demonstrating why he's known as the "King of Rock 'n' Soul" and a major influence on soul music's development. It's a vital document of early soul music's golden age, celebrated for its raw emotion and musicality.