Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964

This is a huge compilation of Sam Cooke's records. It contains 31 tracks including: Touch the Hem of His Garment Lovable You Send Me Only Sixteen I Love You For Sentimental Reasons Just For You Win Your Love For Me Everybody Loves to Cha Cha I'll Come Running Back To You You Were Made For Me Sad Mood Cupid What A Wonderful World Chain Gang Summertime Little Red Rooster Bring It On Home To Me Nothing Can Change This Love Sugar Dumpling Ain't That Good News Meet Me At MAry's Place Twistin' The Night Away Shake Tennessee Waltz Another Saturday Night Good Times Having a Party That's Where it's At A Change is Gonna Come Jesus Gave Me Water 8 Bars of Soul. No other description nor review is needed. If you're still reading I think you'll enjoy listening to it.

I was very impressed with this collection of many of Sam's hits, it had a nice variety and included a couple of songs from his Gospel days as the front man for the "Soul Stirrers". I'd recommend that any real fan of his get that material as you see a 19 year old Sam cut his musical teeth as both a singer and songwriter with that group. It was during those formative years that he would hone his abilities and prepare himself for one of the most important periods in music history. He was entering "Popular" music at a time when Rhythm (Jazz)& the Blues along with Gospel was about to give birth to what would become known as Rock and Roll. Music giants were either already on the scene or about to burst onto the scene by the time Sam entered the fray in 1951. Ray Charles, Little Richard, Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Miles Davis, The Crickets, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Elvis Presley, The Isley Brothers, etc. were taking music to places it had never been before. Then enters a young, handsome and talented Sam Cooke, he had the total package. Singer, songwriter, business smarts and the desire to be great. Writing songs with such meaning and having the abilty to perform them with such feeling that quite frankly has yet to be matched even until this day in my opinion. He was doing things that really had not been accomplished before by a Black artist and he was the first to have control over his songs and start his own production company. That blueprint would soon be followed by Ray Charles as well. As for this album, probably the best overall collection of his material in sometime, although "Frankie and Johnnie" doen't show up. I've always been moved by Sam Cooke's music, he was one of the most incredible poets the world has ever seen and that voice was a Gift from the Creator of the Universe to each of us, his listeners. He was one of the most important forces in music period of the 20th century and was taken from us far too soon. His final gift, "A Change is Gonna Come" was an incredible glimpse as to where he was about to take us. R.I.P. Sam, you're music, innovation & inspiration lives on in us your fans! This was truly an important time in music, social consciousness, national and world affairs. This was the time when a new more agressive mentality was taking shape and when those thoughts and feelings were being put to music and sung across not only the United States but indeed, around the world. Sam Cooke was very much a part of that, during the late 1950's to the early 1960's before his tragic death, only Elvis was out selling him as an artist. He truly was an amazing man and one who has enriched the lives of millions for over half a century.

Want a real Sam Cooke collection? Look no further here. All his greatest hits, his early beginnings with the Soul Stirrers, rarely heard or lesser known songs are included in this 30 song collection. I picked it because it was worth it. Lots of artists over the years have interpreted Cooke's music such as Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Three Dog Night, The Band, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, Steve Miller, Art Garfunkel and Seal, to name a few. Sam Cooke's very humble beginnings in 1951 actually concludes this disc["Jesus Gave Me Water"]. His Soul Stirrers period features his first penned composition "A Touch Of His Garment", which is drawn from a biblical verse that Cooke himself reinterpreted. His gospel-style influence would later be revisited on his last record " A Change Is Gonna Come" which was widely covered by many artists following his tragic passing in December of 1964. This classic was reportedly inspired by Bob Dylan's classic "Blowin' In The Wind". There would also be a connection with the Stones song-wise. Cooke's interpretation of "Little Red Rooster"[Written by Willie Dixon] was probably what the Stones' cover was based on. Cooke himself had recorded the original "Good Times" at the infamous RCA Studios in Hollywood months before the Stones' version had also been recorded there and would be released on their OUT OF OUR HEADS album in 1965. Cooke would also supply some dance-type songs such as "Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha", "Twistin' The Night Away", "Shake" and, of course, "Having A Party". "Cha Cha Cha" in particular was inspired by a holiday party Cooke's family had given and seized the idea of the song on the spot. Let's not forget the love songs featured here like "You Send Me"(His first biggest solo hit), "Cupid", "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons", "Win Your Love For Me", "Just For You", "You Were Made For Me" and "Nothing Can Change This Love". Sam Cooke was also noted for being the first black artist to have his own label-SAR Records, which he co-founded with writer J.W. Alexander. But it was for other artists to record for and not himself. We're not forgetting other main classics like "(What A)Wonderful World", "Chain Gang" and "Another Saturday Night". Cooke also does a rending of the Gershwin classic "Summertime" besides. For the greatest works of soul with blues, latin and choral arrangements blended together, Sam Cooke has never done it better and this collection doesn't get any better than this. While copies of this disc lasts, DON'T DELAY! Get yours TODAY!

What can I say about one of the most inspiring/soothing singers of all time? Sam Cooke possessed the sweetest voice in soul, and his elegant vocal style inspired almost every singer worth his nickle. He was also a terrific songwriter, and the string of hits created prior to his death in 1964 was unrivaled. I can hear this CD non-stop for days, weeks,.... It should be mandatory for all singers to listen to this release as it showcases a singer whose delivery was so elegant and did not have to go through vocal gymnastics to bring it home. It did not matter whether he was singing traditional pop, soul, gospel, or (you name it), as it all came back to Sam's voice and elegant delivery. This collection has all the songs, including the indispensible "A Change Is Gonna Come". Sam's version continues to be THE definitive version and any collection that overlooks it should be banned. As you can imagine I give this my highest recommendation. Also worth noting this release has been remastered to blow away all previous efforts and unlike the previous single CD greatest hits collection, this one has an informative insert that tells us a little bit about the history of the songs. NOTE: This state-of-the-art digital audio release titled is a magical 31-track greatest hits release that has been replaced the already amazing "The Man And His Music," a 28 greatest hits collection released in the 1980s. There is one downside to the CD as it is a hybrid with SACD capability, so that it will play in regular CD players and those with the SADC technology. The only problem lies in that, like other hybrid SACDs you cannot make a personal copy or grab any of the songs to put in a personal mix. For me that is a huge downside as I make lots of mixes to reflect different moods and favorite all time songs; notwithstanding if you just plan on listening to it and don't mind that you won't be able to pick and choose songs to make a mix, there is no better choice than this release. During 2003 and now I've found myself listening to the new releases by Al Green and Ron Isley as well as this release, and I am reminded that new artists have it really hard as Sam and others raised the bar so high and so early that it makes it virtually impossible for anyone to make better sounding music. There are some out there who show much promise and I am always trying to support them, but Sam is Sam and God bless him.

Some of Cooke classics. Love every song and what a great voice Sam Cooke had. This is music.

CD is a wonderful as it is Sam Cooke. However, I've never received a CD that isn't packaged in plastic and also has a small tab holding the top secure. 5 stars for the beautiful music, but taking a star away from Amazon for selling used goods without telling me they have been used. I don't appreciate that. Now... if that's the way CDs come these days, which I doubt because everything else is tamper proof, I will apologize.

Love Sam Cooke. Can't go wrong with this one.

I was 9 years old when Sam Cooke was murdered. His music was a huge part of my life growing up but I never put his face to his music. I was too young. Now I have. What an extraordinary talent. What an extraordinary man. What a gift from God.