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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Quite good

Sounds good.

Any fan of early soul and vocal R&B (Percy Sledge, Otis Redding, The Impressions, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, etc.) probably already knows Solomon Burke's music, and if you don't, you should. Ten times more interesting than Fats Domino and 100 times more authentic than Elvis just on the sheer range and expression of his voice.

What a beautiful album! Loved his voice and the songs 5 ⭐️

I love the early Solomon Burke sides. His mix of deep soul, pop, blues and country is completely unique and this album is a perfect starting point for those looking to dive in.

“I’m coming to your party / And I won’t be able to stay / But I’m gonna kiss you one more time / Then I going away” Terrific soul. So much emotion in Burke’s singing, some great female backup singers too. There’s often pain in love and Burke reminds us of this in just about every song here.

Funky start then mellows out a bit to some cull vibes

I like this, we need to make more music like this

Oh yes! Brother Solomon Burke. The Bishop! The King of Soul! I loved this guy. He was overshadowed in his day by the likes of Ray Charles, Aretha and James Brown, but he sure had a God given voice and was a real character, on-stage and off. I'm throwing my first 5 stars, a royal flush!

soul, great album

Perfect album in preparing an evening dinner. Soooo romantic.

Very nice.

Nostalgia hitting hard

Riiight into the regular rotation. Also a reminder to always read the Wikipedia. Interesting that he had 21 kids and then one of his grandkids went on to write music for the soundtrack of the movie 21. Well not interesting, but two things.

5/5 Solomon's powerful voice penetrates simple love songs for a great set of tracks. The backing vocals are so on point and the instrumentals are full of life and soul on a remarkably consistent tracklist, which manages to continue feeling fresh as it progresses. Cry to Me 4/5 Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms) 5/5 Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) 5/5 If You Need Me 4/5 Can't Nobody Love You 4.5/5 Someone to Love Me 4/5 (LEAST FAV) You're Good for Me 5/5 Won't You Give Him (One More Chance) 4.5/5 Hard, Ain't It Hard 4.5/5 You Can't Love 'Em All 4.5/5 Beautiful Brown Eyes 5/5 He'll Have to Go 5/5 (FAV)

An awesome listening experience. Great energy and definitely my favorite since Rio.

Cry to Me is one of my favorite soul songs ever, this was my favorite record so far

Really enjoyed this!

Ooo now here is a soulful voice for the ages! I first became familiar with Solomon Burke because of the Dirty Dancing soundtrack that I listened to endlessly in my pre-teen silly dilly dally girl days. And his emotive delivery of every note instantly captured my attention. I love his music, it is classic and classy, there's so much old world charm here. I adore him, this is a wonderful album for showcasing his artistry.

I am very excited about this one I love Solomon’s voice. “Cry to Me” is so iconic I can’t imagine it not existing… imagine it’s 1964 and you hear this for the first time ever. Also I think “Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)” has a melody that sounds really familiar… I gotta figure that out. “Can’t nobody love you” is just one of my favorite songs ever. The instrumentation is “you can’t love me all” is awesome.. go horns go! This album is just great. The easiest 5/5.

The background singers! Also, wish I lost my virginity to this album.

Loved this entire album!

If there were a college class, Soul 101, this would be essential listening.

Absolutely loved this album. Never listened to it before but had it on repeat.

Like

superb.

Again a great album by the great, late Solomon Burke!

i have listened to this back to back all day. i love it.

"Rock 'N Soul" by Solomon Burke is a timeless masterpiece that effortlessly blends the gritty essence of rock with the soulful depths of rhythm and blues. From the moment the first track kicks in, Burke's commanding voice takes center stage, captivating listeners with its raw power and emotional resonance. Each song on the album is a testament to Burke's unparalleled talent as both a vocalist and a storyteller. Whether he's belting out heart-wrenching ballads or infusing upbeat rhythms with infectious energy, Burke's performance never fails to leave a lasting impression. Tracks like "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" and "Cry to Me" showcase his ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, while the driving force of the music keeps listeners hooked from start to finish. The production quality of "Rock 'N Soul" is also top-notch, with rich instrumentation and tight arrangements that complement Burke's vocals perfectly. The album's seamless fusion of rock and soul elements creates a sound that feels both classic and contemporary, ensuring its appeal to audiences of all generations. Overall, "Rock 'N Soul" is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates soulful music with a rock edge. Solomon Burke's unparalleled talent shines through in every note, making this album a true gem in the world of music.

Sounds like Elvis, but better

Love me some soul

Dude can wail

I'm a sucker for this style of old soul. Reminds me of Sam Cook. And I love Sam Cook. Love this guy's singing style. I saw in his bio that inspired the Rolling Stones singer.

It is sad we don't hear more of Solomon Burke. He puts all the soul into Rock N' Soul with his powerful POWERFUL vocal performance. Shaping RnB and Soul music for years to come, with a classic old style rock and roll sound on this album

I love old people music. It never fails to make me FEEL something. So smooth, bluesy, and soulful - exquisite stuff!

Beautiful soul music with gorgeous arrangements and background vocals, and Burke’s performances are great (though not quite as raw and emotional as someone like Otis Redding). Really enjoyed this! 4.5 leaning 5.

Fun and easy!

Cry To Me - a classic! Makes me think of that scene from Dirty Dancing. Great album - easy, cozy listening. Perfect for a slow, sunny Saturday morning. Guy sure does love to shout, though.

Great bit of classic soul, rock and roll and blues. Fantastic voice - smooth and silky... Must get on vinyl for the collection...

Distinct soul album with wonderful arrangements.

Loved it!

Great stuff!

Wow. I had not heard this incredible album before. Thank you! I love this so much.

aw cute. 3 OHHHHHH THIS IS THE GUY WHO SINGS CRY TO ME I KNOW THAT SONG really good so far bumped up to 4.8 like the sugar is good for the teeth,,ure good for me,,lol

I mean some of the lyrics reflect the more misogynistic views of the time…but I love oldies like this in general.

Gotta love when a new (to me) album kicks off with an iconic Dirty Dancing ditty. This album is packed with soul, and apparently a lot of relationship drama. I think every one of these is about breaking up, hooking up, or someone he’s in love with. In addition to his musical genius, he had 21 kids, four wives, and countless lovers, so that tracks. Lots of inspiration for song writing no doubt. You can’t love ‘em all…or CAN you? He sure can try. Totally dig his voice and his vibe. Great listen!

Soul and a little bit of rock. Some of the best music you can make

Burke is the real deal. Can’t go wrong!

Loved it

Great voice, some really wonderful tunes, I'm not sure how this guy didn't really make it on my radar. Contemporaries of Sam Cooke and Ray Charles I guess, as he referenced them on "Can't Nobody Love You" but doesn't seem to have the same recognition. That should change.

Enjoyed

Something utterly soul enriching about that mono sound. just glorious

Love this doo wop style record, there’s so many layers beyond the doo wop style though. Great stuff.

This kicked major ass. Joyful, soulful, each track a new delight. I was planning to give it four stars, but why not give it five? It's excellent. I'd happily listen again.

Soulful. Good vibes. Good music

I'm in love with this album, this is exactly the type of music I thought would be on the list. The vocals are astounding and moving. Adding back up singers to each song is such a nice touch and really stands out. The title of the album is spot on, it's rock n roll, it's soulful and its beautiful.

Man, the way some of these lines are delivered... "I gave you candy, and you fed me dirt..." You can practically feel the poor guy's pain (and hear his influence on so many people that came afterwards).

Begins with dirty dancing song??? Definitely a fave!

Excellent to listen to with a great soulful voice and lyrics that reach your heart

Amazing! Cry to Me!

Motown brilliance

Absolutely loved this album. Played it on repeat immediately.

This album is great! You can really hear the emotion in Burke’s performances.

Soulful classics

RnB at it's finest, rock fusion, great album

Goodbye baby

dug it

November 27, 2023 Legend. Incredible voice. Great listen start to finish.

was es schöns album, ich han nid gwüsst dass cry on me vo ihm isch