Rock 'N Soul

“Rock ‘n Soul” by Solomon Burke (1964) This guy has a great voice. Excellent control and timbre across his considerable range. Better rock than Elvis; better soul than James Brown. As an album, however, it lacks variety and has a rather monotonous arrangement of backing vocals and instrumentals. A good album, for its historical value if nothing else. 3/5

From purely a listening standpoint this album is a real joy. Burke's voice is clear, articulate, and soulful. If you're a fan of R&B or soul this album is probably already at the top of your list. Adding in the historical context, that Burke was one of the founding fathers of soul, makes this album even more impressive as you realize that he was forging a new sound.

Wow what a voice, smooth and silky one minute, rough and ready the next. I loved the punchy mono sound (would love to listen to this on vinyl). The songs are simple and the backing is fairly sparse yet full sounding; the typical 'dry' Atlantic sound, which I love. Back in their copycat days the Rolling Stones covered two tracks from this album (Cry to Me and If You Need Me) so you can see how influential it was. It's a bit old fashioned sounding, but who gives a damn when it sounds this good. Not much to fault, so it's easily a 5 star for me.

Rock’n’Soul Easily one of the greatest soul voices, emotionally powerful with such lovely timbre, excellent control and superb range, from mellow and tender to rough and gritty. However this album suffers from the way albums were regarded in the early to mid sixties as a vehicle for singles plus any other stuff lying around. Consequently this is a bit all over the shop and doesn’t really feel like an album, although I can understand why it’s on the list, from a historical perspective and to acknowledge his skill as a singer. I’m not really that au fait with his full discography but it doesn’t feel like there is a definitive Solomon Burke album or period, in the way Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin had, but I know he did some great covers in the late 60s, and that Don’t Give Up On Me album from a few years back is well worth a listen if you don’t already know it. Not all of it, but much of the album does feel very rooted in its early 60s time period with songs dating back to 1961. You can hear the legacy of big band R’n’B in the arrangements and overall sound, particularly the slightly flat drum sound, the guitar and the saxophone heavy horns. Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) is a good example of this, his voice is obviously great, but it really lacks punch. As a fan of Dirty Dancing I’ve always loved Cry to Me though, and it is a great song - it definitely stands out. For 1962 the piano motif feels ahead of its time, really giving the whole song a sense of dramatic tension. Won’t You Give Him One More Chance has slight Hawaiian vibes to me, and feels like a song from an Elvis movie or something. Great vocal of course but the song is pretty flimsy. If You Need Me’s bluesiness is a better vehicle for his voice, but it suffers from the production, overall sound and slightly anaemic sounding band. I like country vibes of Hard, Ain’t it Hard, which make sense as it's a Woody Guthrie song, and his vocal really is very lovely, but the backing vocals feel overly intrusive and the acoustic guitar in the left channel seems way too loud and high in the mix. Can’t Nobody Love You is good, another superb vocal, particularly when he lets loose from around 1.40 onwards. But again the production vaguely lets it down, although the horns are nicely restrained. He goes enjoyably full crooner on Just Out of my Reach (Of my Two Empty Arms), showing how versatile he is, and what a supercharged Dean Martin might sound like. You’re Good For Me follows a similar pattern, great great vocal but a largely uninspiring production and arrangement, although the guitar is pretty nice. The wonkiness of the recording of You Can’t Love Em All does jump out and the song itself is another of those slightly Elvis movie sounding songs, with mariachi horns this time. Someone to Love Me is great though, the guitar is very good and backing vocals, for the most part, are very sympathetic to his voice and sit nicely within the arrangement. The soulful in a bar at 3am sound is great, one of the few times on the album where the song and recording come up to meet the quality of his voice. Beautiful Brown Eyes continues that feel, although perhaps slightly less successfully than Someone to Love Me, the slightly flatulent sax being a bit distracting. I like He’ll Have To Go, the strings giving it a sense of harmonic range not that evident on the rest of the album, although the farty sax continues to make some more unwelcome contributions. I suppose it’s not really fair to judge this as a soul album against the classic soul sound of the mid 60s onwards, as that hadn’t been invented yet, and it’s tricky to judge it as an album in general, as these are all disparate recordings from a period of 3 or so years, never meant to be an album. Despite that you can’t help but yearn for a bit of the joyous playing of the Funk Brothers at Motown or the gritty southern soul sound of Booker T et al at Stax and for it to be a more considered collection of songs. I had a cursory listen to the two late 60s albums that are on Tidal and they do have more of that classic soul sound, which really suits his voice, but I think his popularity had waned a bit by then and it looks like he decided to go back to Gospel and God. Ultimately his voice is superb, and I don’t really mind what he sings as he sounds great, but musically this is way below someone of his quality - not because it’s poor, it’s just a reflection of the time it was recorded. I think a 3 is fair, musically and as an album it’s not re-listenable enough to be a 4, but he’s too good a singer for it to be a 2. 🪨🪨🪨 Playlist submission: Cry to Me

Hooray! Some soul! I didn't think I knew this guy but once it started I recognized Cry to Me from that one scene in Dirty Dancing. You know the one. I also know He'll Have to Go but I'm thinking that maybe I really just know the first line, "Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone," from a TV ad for one of those compilation records in the 70s. (And maybe not this version. Maybe Elvis?) I really like this! Sexy, bluesy, lots of yearning. So glad to be introduced to it.

Proper good. An unexpected treat. Will be listening again. We like the part where the songs happen.

I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Solomon Burke because of his cover of Van Morrison’s “Fast Train” that was used in the season 3 finale of The Wire. It’s a wonderful song and, dare I say, better than the original. The rest of his catalog, I’m not super familiar with. Rock ‘N Soul was enjoyable, but as I’ve said in other reviews, early 1960’s music doesn’t really connect with me. It’s often like taking a trip to a forgotten era, one that’s kind of familiar, but also completely foreign. Having been released in 1964, this record is closer to the familiar than to completely foreign, but, it feels…old. Like if you could listen to music in black and white. …and there’s some to charm to that. One of my favorite movies of all time is Dr. Strangelove: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, but there aren’t many other black and white films I truly love. So when it comes to music, it’s not something I can go back to over and over. This is reflection on me, not the music. Solomon Burke is a great singer, the songs are well written and performed. There’s no good reason for me not to like this. …there’s just something in my brain that isn’t receptive to the late 50’s/early 60’s sound. I can’t explain it otherwise.

This was a great listen, and one I’ve never listened to before. I’m sure I’ve heard some songs of Burke’s, but definitely not an entire album. Really happy I got a chance to listen to one of the pioneers of R&B and soul. This album is a must listen for fans of the genre.

I love soup and I enjoyed listening to this.

This was an incredible album. No notes.

Who knew? Solid songwriting for the era. Hidden gem lost in the shadow of other Atlantic Stax superstars. He should have been bigger.

Solomon seamlessly intertwines gritty and luxury on this record. He gives it his all, yet it feels effortless.

Solomon Burke is a perfectly fine soul singer, but on Rock 'n Soul, he's sabotaged by one of the sickening cliches of early 60s arranging, the "Ray Conniff Singers" style vocal arrangements. Another problem, which affects roughly a third of the songs, is the then fashionable tendency to fuse soul and country music. Ray Charles has a lot to answer for in this regard. In general, I'm no purist, but fusing soul and country isn't like peanut butter and chocolate, it's more like mustard and chocolate. Poor Solomon does his best, but he never had a chance.

Increíble. Cry to me es de mis canciones favoritas, pero encontré aquí un montón a las que voy a estar regresando muchas veces. Genial disco.

Really enjoyed this album, bluesy soul with great guitar licks and vocals

Great voice

Pretty good early rock n roll album. My favorite track was Cry to Me.

I didn't think I was gonna like this album based on "Soul" being in the title, but this isn't run-of-the-mill Goodfellas background music. There's some very interesting musical interpretations of rock and/or soul here, including some fairly intricate accoustic guitars. And of course, his voice is great.

gas no skips

Yeah, this is a beautiful album. A relaxing listen with high quality music. Solomon Burke has a voice that sounds equivalent to someone you love giving you a hug. The only fault, but it's nitpicking' is that sometimes you feel like there isn't much variety between songs. Still it's a great listen. 4/5

I do not understand why Solomon Burke isn't as known and revered as Otis Redding or Wilson Pickett. He released a tonne of records on Atlantic that charted (in the US at least). He has a fantastic preacher's soul voice, and benefited from excellent production values. Jerry Wexler is clearly working from the Ray Charles playbook with his classy production on this album. Solomon Burke has, I think, always been around in the background. A cover of Everybody Needs Someone to Love features prominently in the Blue Brothers movie. Nick Hornby waxes lyrically about Got To Get You Off My Mind in High Fidelity (it's the song that is the meet-cute between Rob and Laura). I came across a random selection of his numerous singles on compilations, including a handful of tracks on the (excellent) Atlantic Rhythm & Blues series. but the track that really caught my ear is Home in your Heart, which appeared on a Mojo cover CD called Raw Soul. Since then, I've gone out of my way to pick up Solomon Burke singles when I see them. He was a terrific singles act for best part of 20 years. I know a few of the songs here (Cry To Me most notably) but hadn't heard the whole record before. Unusually for its vintage, this is a really strong album with really great production, six songs that charted as singles, and very little filler. I recognized a few of the songs, and enjoyed them all. You Can't Love 'Em All made me chuckle; I honestly believe that Solomon tried to love 'em all, despite the odds. I totally enjoyed this album all the way through, and can't understand why it isn't as famous or esteemed as Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. In a perfect world, this would be a universally acclaimed five star classic. This really is a truly great early 60s soul album. But given the number of grade-A singles he released, a Best Of compilation is probably the real must-hear record for Solomon.

This is the kind of album you can take off the shelf and sit and listen to all by yourself. Today's music ain't got the same soul. I like that old time... something something.

Chef's kiss of '6os soul.

Song: Cry To Me Burke has a great voice, rich and passionate, and I liked it on this song. Also, I found the lyrics really sweet and touching, and the song had a really raw vibe that I liked as well. However, the rest of the song was nothing terribly special—I liked it well enough, but nothing stood out. The instrumental felt quintessentially 60s, and I wasn't a huge fan of the background choir. Still, it made me feel nostalgic, and I did enjoy the song—just not as much as others I've listened to.

I'm really digging a lot of the stuff on this list from the 50's. I could play this stuff all day in the house. Soothing, classic sounds can permeate these walls anytime.

I can forget that this style made it deeply into the 60s, and heavily influenced what followed in pop. Always down for this kind of thing.

Another artist I’ve never heard of before. First things first, this guys voice is absolutely incredible. It’s just unbelievably smooth. The backup vocalists? Also incredible. My biggest problem with this album as a whole is simply that nothing stands out, and it’s very similar the entire way through. That isn’t a big problem, I just don’t particularly love it enough to give it anything past a 3. Objectively this guy is a fantastic singer, and I can easily appreciate that. Personal enjoyment though, it’s just ok. Would I listen to it again? No, but that’s also ok. Not really my thing, but I’m very glad I listened to it in general. Favorite song? I also have no idea. Let’s go with “You’re Good for Me.”

Great voice, incredible range. Otherwise not that interesting

Not much for the genre but it’s an ok listen. Probably was the first time I’ve listened to Solomon Burke and could be the last - not something id go searching for.

A lovely soul album.

One classic song and the rest kind of average but still fun to listen to.

These cover-saturated singer-showcase albums are a wrestle between A&R conservatism and the juice and individualism of the players. Burke’s throttle control is marvellous, a different voice for every task - he could whisper a yell or mutter a wail - and some of the instrumentation brings my ears to their feet, the spidery guitar on “Won’t You Give Him (One More Chance)” deserves credit that the notes don’t give them. However, the songs themselves are unremarkable. A close listen to the makers has its rewards, but the content doesn’t excite me.

Lots of belters, not quite as many bangers. great sound though!

Wikipedia says this had seven top-100 hits. I had never heard of the artist and was unfamiliar with the songs as well. But I thought it was perfectly pleasant. “if you need me” and “you’re good for me” were two favorites.

great sound although upon first listening you may not guess it is a 60's album but a 50's. alt least that was my impression.

If you want to go dancing, this is probably exactly what you need. I don't want to go dancing.

lovely soulful voice , but bit lacking in variety across a whole album .

Surprised to see this was a mid 60s record. In terms of interesting sound, this was pretty far behind. Solomon has a cool and talented singing voice, but these songs are boring. The album drags almost from the very beginning. Disappointing.

das ist schlager für amis

Es gibt hier so einen Sender, Bayern 1, da werden den ganzen Tag alte Lieder gespielt. Da kann ich mir das gut vorstellen als ein Album was sich perfekt in den langweiligen Hintergrund einfügt.

This is basically an Elvis album. I can see how this is a bridge into R&B but I'm just bored

Gorgeous, great diy music as it happens! But who hurt this man

Good! Historic R&B

Silky, soulful and rockin. Timeless.

I've heard a few of these songs before, but I loved listening to the entire album. The album was really short, only 34 minutes!

Listening to this album was a treat for the ears. Solomons range with his voice kept me hooked and I favorited a majority of this album.

I think this is one of the greatest albums ever made. Yeah that's about it.

Pretty relaxing voice and in general music. 9.5/10

What a find - I've heard of him before but never actually ventured into his work. I absolutely loved it, it's so colourful and full of soul, very lively while feeling honest, not a fabrication. Really enjoyable stuff

Knew I'd love it from the first "goodbyeee" on track one. Feels like I've stumbled on the best hidden gem, and it's easily now one of my favourite albums

Fantastic

I already knew 'Cry to Me' and 'If You Need Me' so I expected to enjoy this one. Delightful!

Underrated gem, another solid 4.5

An unexpectedly enjoyable album. Pretty cool from beginning to end. The instrumentation on You Can't Love Em All was particularly enjoyable.

Favorite Track: Goodbye Baby

This one took me by surprise. Every song is just excellent.

Yes!

this is one of my favorite genres of music.

Love that this song showed up in the man from uncle movie.

Loved this album. Will definitely listen to more of his stuff.

magnificent, soul infused with gospel, and the best songs also have a country flavour

This was a fantastic album, loved it from start to finish.

Wow!

Ok this was awesome and don’t come at me w the Marvin Gaye rating! Cry to Me is one of my favorite songs of all time (thanks, Dirty Dancing) and He’ll Have to Go is an absolute anthem- although Jim Reeves nailed it harder? Lol is that how you say it? Still

Really liked this

Solomon rest his soul is flat out amazing.

Beautiful example of soul, and an incredible voice from Solomon Burke. Every song is good here.

*carlton dancing gif*

This and a coffee on the porch on a nice fall morning would end wars

general: this album feels like falling in love with someone, spending the rest of your lives together, and now ur 80yrs old & slow dancing with them in ur living room literally added every song to my 50s playlist top 3: cant nobody love you if you need me beautiful brown eyes

A very soulful voice worthy of a 5:)

Fantastic album. Hadn’t heard this before

Wow! I feel quite ashamed I didn’t know Solomon Burke and interestingly I read online he has been described as ‘soul’s most unfairly overlooked singer’. Well I’m glad I know him now because this was awesome. Obviously akin to many of my favourites like Redding and Brown. Fun and passionate, my top tracks were probably Cry to Me and Goodbye Baby.

Nice, nice, nicer than nice. Love it.

This guy has powerful voice and deep emotional vibe. His ability to convey raw emotion and vulnerability through powerful storytelling solidified his legacy as one of soul music's greatest icons.

I LOVE old school rhythm and blues. So much soul and passion. I love that the vocals are soft and smooth, yet gritty and powerful. The background harmonies are great. Catchy guitar riffs.

Very good, soulful, and energetic at times. Rock 'N Soul is a good name for the album. Likes: Cry to Me, If You Need Me, Can't Nobody Love You, You're Good for Me

Yes!! This is exactly my type of oldies for a Monday morning. :)

bluesy goodness

A great soul album fr its era.really nice melodies and singing.

Deep soulful romance. Really enjoyed this. Such talent. This is what all those white hippies thought they sounded like.

Beautifully sung album that puts you in good mood. Set nicely with the backing singers to give a pure soul.

Es simplemente arte, no hay más que decir, pensé que esto solo iba a ser rock y afortunadamente llegó esto. Canción favorita: Won't You Give Him (One More Chance) Rating: 9.5

This was smooth af! 4.5.

Not my usual cup of tea but really loved it

Pre-listening thoughts: girl idk this man or what this is gonna be. 60s rock and soul is usually a mixed bag - sometimes it’s super generic and formulaic but sometimes it’s really something special. Post/during listening thoughts: Dude this is amazing. I am really enjoying this album. Like Cry To Me really just got me hook, line, and sinker and now I am so IN this thing. While sometimes it is a little formulaic, I don’t think it’s distracting or repetitive at all. Solomon Burke has a fantastic voice. I think this challenge has really exposed me to the fact that I enjoy soul music. And this is a fantastic example. 9/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe? Yeah? Fav tracks: I mean this is a no skip album but Cry To Me, If You Need Me, You’re Good For Me, Won’t You Give Him (One More Chance), Hard Ain’t it Hard, and You Can’t Love Em All were my absolute favs Least fav tracks: none

Fantastic, I can put this on at any time and just listen.

# Playlist Track - Can't Nobody Love You # Notes - This is one of those albums that you really need to frame in historical context to appreciate. Just listening to it, I thought "Oh well. Cool Album, the end.". Turns out this came out in 1964! - Solomon was one the people that carved the sound that would define soul music later. And he sounds great while at it. - Definitely recommend!

What a great and versatile singer! I didn’t know any of the tunes other than Cry to Me but this whole album is good. There’s some nice guitar playing too.

Never heard this before but just immaculate vibes. Great singing and playing

So incredible

I didn't know who Solomon Burke was until this album was generated, but now I'm glad it did! I'm big on rock and big on soul, so what more could I ask for?

What a treasure. Felt like I was transported back in time. I read he was the most unfairly overlooked singer of soul music...compared to James Brown, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett. So far this is the most memorable album we've had of the great soul singers from the 60s. Glad to see he's in the rock hall where he belongs

Feels like a got a little soul back

This was awesome. I love oldies and this really delivers the soul and great musicianship that I love to hear. Burke has a great voice and great instincts for where to take a melody, and the arrangements were delightful and fun to listen to. I loved it and hummed along to the whole thing. Five stars.

Great oldies. Still holds up.

This is a near-perfect album of early 60s soul. I don't know why I've never heard of Solomon Burke before. It's kinda criminal. That guy's voice was amazing. 5 stars.

This is a good album. First time listener as well. One musical wave of enjoyment .

Excellent soul album. The sound and feeling from the songs are pure soul. Some times in life you just want to listen to some songs like these and do nothing for an hour or five. And right now I just wanna lay back in my sofa, close my eyes and listen to Solomon Burke all day.

Sounds like what my grandmother would listen to? Amazing give me 14 more of them.