Another side of Sam

Sam's voice can never go "wrong". These selections, far, far better than the rock'n'roll you've heard, still don't showcase Sam's talent quite as much as his Gospel. Some pretty, if predictable, songs, given new life from Sam's incredible talent. Get it, but don't miss the chance to hear Sam sing with Soul Stirrers, he makes the most of his immense talent there. If Gospel is not your choice of music, then this is the closest you will come to hearing Sam at his best.

Now, you were asking me how often do I drink...?

...everytime I listen to this album. This is the side'a Sam Cooke that doesn't get paid attention to nearly enough. An' that surprises me, 'cause it was this side'a him that introduced me to him, an' got a sale outta me. But, see, I'm jus' the type'a person who'd rather listen to some moody, reflective soul an' wallow in self-pity, than actually ENJOY myself; thas' fa' schmucks. Anytime I wanna jus' sit back at night with a pack'a trusty Newports, sip on some liquor, an' rack my brain about my life, love n' heartache this is the ONLY thing I can play in my CD player. Is' the only album of consistentally appropriate music for when I'm in that type'a mood. It never once wavers from that initial loneliness of the opener 'Get Yourself Another Fool'. When you hear them first few piano chords, an' then hear Sam start croonin' his heart out to you, you may as well go 'head an' turn on the waterworks, an' not expect 'em to stop for the next twenty cuts. This isn't an album you're gonna buy for some variety, or to get your first taste'a Sam's career, or even to hear some ol' nostalgic '60s soul music, 'cause there are better places for that. This album is STRICTLY for the MOOD, an' that is why I LOVE it. Because over nostalgic hits, over pop oldies, an' even over "personally relating to", I pick my music FIRST and FOREMOST based on mood. When I listen to 'Fool's Paradise' or 'Smoke Rings' or 'Please Don't Drive Me Away' or 'I Lost Everything', the tone of the instrumentals an' the sound of Sam's voice alone are enough to put me in that sad, sad, sad drunken state when I have no other choice but to face the weight'a the world an' figure out how to climb up from under it an' live again.

Music like this, while it may hurt an' sting sometimes, in the end, is the only thing that gets me through the day, an' people like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, Isaac Hayes, an' all others in their class, should be in EVERY serious music fan or love-starved heart's collection (I fit into both categories). Alright, I think I've probably said enough, so lemme jus' end by saying that if you feel me in what I'm sayin' in this review, then you BETTER go out an' buy this CD. Of course, if you're not hearin' me an' you don't, then is' all good. After all, nobody knows you when you're down and out.

One of the Baddest Cats Ever!

when Sam Cooke lays it on a Song you gotta Pour somehing out for the Brother because you are truly gonna feel where He is getting at.His Voice was a Instrument of so much force&power you couldn't help but be moved."Get Yourself another fool"&"baby won't you please come Home" are among the songs that will leave so much on your mind.