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This weeks feature
Sam Cooke was one of the great soul legends, known for a string of hits that are now part of pop history, songs such as '(What A) Wonderful World', 'Only Sixteen' and 'Twistin' The Night Away'.
Three SonyBMG digipack reissues capture Cooke at the height of his powers, the 1963 'One Night Stand: Live At Harlem Square', 'The Best of Sam Cooke', which dates from 1962, and the classic 'Night Beat', which features breathtaking arrangements of 'Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen', 'Shake, Rattle and Roll' and 'Little Red Rooster', the latter later memorably covered by the Rolling Stones. All the albums have been digitally remastered with additional liner notes and, in the case of 'night Beat' and 'The Best Of', some additional, illuminating tracks.
Sam Cooke was one of the most popular artists of the pre-Beatles era of the alte Fifties and early Sixties, having begun his career recording such gospel classics as 'Nearer To Thee', 'Touch The Hem Of His Garment' and 'Be With Me Jesus'.
"It isn't what you sing that is so important," said Sam's father, "but rather the fact that God gave you a good voice to use. He must want you to make people happy by singing, so go ahead and do so." |
Classic sounds. |
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It was advice that Same Cooke took to heart, and in 1957 he signed with Keen Records where he wrote and recorded such Number 1 hits as 'You Send Me', 'Win Your Love For Me', 'Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha', 'Only Sixteen' and '(What A) Wonderful World'.
In 1960, Sam signed with RCA Records, and clocked up further hits with 'Chain Gang', 'Twistin' The Night Away', 'Bring It On Home To Me', 'Having A Party' and 'Cupid'.
Just when his career was about to enter an exciting new phase, with the release of the dance-orientated 'Shake', Sam died on December 11, 1964 in a shoot-out at a seedy motel. It is an event that, to this day, remains something of a mystery; but what is not in doubt was the emotion provoked by his death, with more than 5,000 people attending his funeral at the Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Los Angeles.
Cooke's work has touched many of pop's legends, and his work has been recorded by artists as varied as Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Animals, Paul McCartney, Nina Simone and Art Garfunkel. Take a listen to these treasurable reissues and you'll understand why his legacy continues to be celebrated. |
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