Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
1964
Album Summary
Rock 'n Soul is a 1964 studio album by Grammy Award winning musician Solomon Burke. The album contained seven top 100 hits. Originally released on LP on Atlantic Records, #5009, in November 1964, it was subsequently reissued in March, 1997, on the Sequel Records imprint, #RSACD 861. The album was also reissued in 1998 on the Collectables Records label in conjunction with a June, 1963, Burke album as If You Need Me/Rock 'n' Soul.The album was included in Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
WikipediaFrom 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.
“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
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.
Who knew? Solid songwriting for the era. Hidden gem lost in the shadow of other Atlantic Stax superstars. He should have been bigger.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is basically an Elvis album. I can see how this is a bridge into R&B but I'm just bored
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.
Light rock for some songs, soul vibes for others. Late night listen for sure.
Ik geeft het toe, ik ben een liefhebber van soul (en dan vooral de Motown sound) maar had nog nooit van Solomon Burke gehoord. Hij is dus van hetzelfde label als bekende artiesten als The Drifters, Percy Sledge en Aretha Franklin. Voor mij springt dit album er niet echt uit. Er zijn geen nummers die me echt heel erg raken. De composities swingen gewoon niet genoeg of zo? Je hoort soms wel nog wat invloeden uit de jaren '50 wat het wel weer bijzonder maakt. Neemt niet weg dat het gewoon een steengoed album is verder. Solomon is een artiest waar je wel zeker meer van moet luisteren, zoals het album dat samen met de band De Dijk is gemaakt (bedankt Roel voor de tip). Van het album "Rock 'n Soul" is het nummer "Hard, Ain't It Hard" een van de lekkerste nummers, maar "If You Need Me" gaat er na een tijdje ook wel bovenuit steken. Voor mij zijn er echter betere nummers op andere albums, zoals "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)" #kippenvel en "What A Woman" dat dus gewoon een verbeterde versie van het Nederlandstalige nummer is.
mmmm very rock and soul passed by quick, there wasnt any one song i felt i wanted to skip. it was all very stimulating to my ears 5/5 maybe??
Loved it!! Beautiful R&B album. Never listened to this geezer before, so I'll definitely check out more of his craft.
that album was amazing 10/10 I like Fats Domino more but this album is still great
If you want that album that stokes that fire of romantic angst, the kind that endears you to the lady who chose you but took her sweet time doing so, then this album is for you. If you want that album that provokes that romantic angst whilst in pursuit of the lady you love, but things haven't developed as you hoped they would, and you don't know why but are insistent they should, then this album is for you, but you might also want to think about moving on. If you want that album that reminds you of how decisive and successful you were in landing the woman of your dreams, then this is the album for you. If you are at a 50s and 60s diner and there's a jukebox, then this album is for you. If you want to relive the late night informercials of those classic love songs of the 60s, then this album is for you. Solomon Burke has the incredible voice of a crooner, with gospel fervor. The album is aptly titled 'Rock 'n Soul' as the vocals and lyrics are very much what we would expect from soul, but the music while not quite less 'soul' seemed more inclusive of 'rock'. This listener knows a lot of little things from this era of music, mostly from movies and pop culture, and the experience with 'Rock 'N Soul' is an educational one. Solomon Burke is just too good at this music, and after further research, it becomes clear why. He's part of, if not the baseline for this genre. We could with valid criticism call everyone else imitators, and lament that Solomon Burke wasn't more popular as some of his contemporaries. "Rock 'N Soul" by Solomon Burke gets a 5/5 for this very reason. We can listen to Elvis, The Righteous Brothers, even James Brown, but this album is a ground zero for those talents. Where this album might lack in experimentalism and variety that appeals to the 21st century listener, this album does something even more valuable --- it defines where our music can go from here.
What an absolute gem. His voice has the power of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. The songs are irrisistable.
Me ha encantado. No conocía ninguna canción. Una voz muy bonita. Y emociona su interpretación.
Great Album, Kamalt Ktebt El Hadra 4 M 3l Bouheli Mte3 Dostoevsky. I Feel Better
I really really liked this album. Some of my favorites: If You Need Me Won't You Give Him (One More Chance) Hard, Ain't It Hard I liked the production a lot. I don't listen to basically anything pre mid-60s, and I like how the guitar was panned all the way to one channel with other instruments sometimes solitary in a channel and sometimes mixed stereo. It felt like the guitar was next to me and not "around me" like I'm used to. I listened through it twice and want to listen again. 5/5
A really great soul album. BARELY above a 9/10. Nothing else to say. 5 stars.
Loved it - knew the first song as a classic and the rest were just as good. Had a grin on my face the whole time I was on the bus and i could just imagine it as background music or singing & dancing to it
The early 60’s was an interesting time in rock music. It was the ending of music driven by the Silent Generation throughout the ’50s and the beginning of music driven by the Baby Boomers. The release of the album is the capstone of the previous era just as the Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, and others were forging the sounds of the next generation. As the capstone, this represents the best of the soul sounds from the’50s. While soul would continue on. It would also be forged by new artists. I’m deviating from my scale. This isn’t an absolute favorite, but due to the quality and significance, it earns a 5. Scale: 5 - My absolute favorites. 4 - Albums I like. 3 - It was ok to listen to it but wouldn't seek it out. 2 - Didn't like. 1 - Absolute shit.
Never heard of this chap; but this sort of soul music is right back in trend!
Lækkert gammel rock og soul album. Flere fede sange Bla. Everybody needs somebody to love
Much better than the previous album. Definitely dig the sound on this one😎
Really good music. I don't have a lot to add here. Great voice, good tunes.
He's new to me. Ache in his voice that contrasts well with the tight instrumentation and pristine backing vocals.
Veldig pent, fine blues låter, bra synging og spilling. Veldig sjarmerende. Jeg ville vanligvis ikke vært så interessert i sånn musikk, men dette traff så bra at jeg drar opp scoren.
Really dug this! Blended in places, but clearly was a bedrock for more R&B moving forward.
Tres bon album avec beaucoup de soul et de rock comme son nom l’indique. 4.25 car un peu repetitif, mais c’est l’epoque.
Once again, not something I am got used to, but I honour this kind of "real" music.
This was one more great album that I absolutely didn't know. It's incredible how this project has been a great introduction for some important musicians for me.
Absolutely wonderful. A very ownable album that people would enjoy as background music. Feels like a rainy Sunday with coffee type of album.
One word Wednesday = Enlightening. But I can’t stop at one word - really, really great stuff even though it’s outside my normal listening universe. Great voice, and I’ve never heard of this singer prior. Nice
Aika hempeää ja sielukasta musaa. Äänimaailma oli raikas ja avara, tykkäsin. Tiedä sitten johtuiko saundin diggailu itsestään levystä vai siitä, kun siirryin Tidalin hi-fi -tilaajaksi?
Enjoyed the album. Didn’t know what to expect and thought it might be more ‘rock n roll’ but was actually more soul and R&B. Made me wonder if he had any association with the likes of the Drifters but don’t think he did.
All hail King Solomon! I've always admired Solomon Burke's music, but was admittedly more familiar with his late-career efforts. This album was a revelation to me. The way he integrates gospel, country, and folk influences into soul music feels sui generis, even today. I really appreciate the range and passion behind the music. Ahead of its time in 1964, that's for sure! Favourite songs: "Won't You Give Him (One More Chance)", "Cry to Me"
gah, another 3.5. It hops up to a 4 because it has that good 50s-ish oldies sound that I like even though it came out in 1964.
I loved this one. To me this is one of those albums where everything comes together just right/just enough to make it an easy, enjoyable listen. Smooth soul with a touch of gospel at times and an almost funky r&b vibe at others. Lyrics sometimes rely on phrases that seem cliche now but do so without being cringy or too repetitive. Each song tells it's story without dragging on after that. Great use of supporting vocals, just where they were needed. Listened to this three times and will definitely come back.
Pretty cool album! I appreciate the vibes on a lot of the tracks and have actually already given the full thing a few listens.
Heerlijke oude soul. Zwoele zomer. Blijf het ‘oude’ stereo lastig vinden.
Heerlijke soul. Prachtige stem. Leuk album voor een regenachtige zondag tijdens het bakken van een taart :)