Reviews (page 10 of 14)
normally id love this but his little screams threw me off
My room is buzzing with energy, it's a full revival in here right now! He captivates the audience with the charisma of a Southern preacher, drawing them into his world at every moment. It's absolutely electrifying!
Another great live album from the 60s. I have realized that where BB King Live at the Regal pulled a more traditional blues artist into R&B - Sam Cooke - better known for pop/R&B - let's his blues shine through. And shine it does. Bring it on Home is an absolute master class - teasing You Send Me to remind you where he came from but not where he is...or was - but moving the audience inab different direction. And wrapping things up with Having a Party - not sure if that bringing church to the party or bringing the party to church. Either way - the energy in the room is palpable. 4.5/5.
I like swing.
This was a hidden gem. I just wanted to bop and dance along in this club. It sounded like a great night to be apart of. So many classic songs and such a great voice.
Great old timey soul music. Love that this is a live album. Such great energy!
This show is so incredible it brought tears to my eyes. His energy is big and bright and infectious, and his songs are just fun. Amazing voice and sounds too. Loved it all! Easy 5!
Very enjoyable live gig from Sam. 3.5 stars
I love Sam Cooke. I just can't get into this live album and that's a bummer for me.
This was absolutely stellar. What a voice! What an atmosphere! I’ll be putting this on my playlist for sure.
I usually prefer studio recordings to live performances, but this was energetic and just so much fun - there is such a rawness present in his voice and the crowd is having a blast. Will be revisiting this in the future for sure - I loved loved loved this. Favourite track: Twistin' the Night Away
GREAT VIBES, love this
5/5 Cooke briskly marches us through a classic soul tracklist, with energy and character. The band is fantastic and Sam's voice is endlessly charismatic. Great, great listen. Feel It (Don't Fight It) 4.5/5 Chain Gang 4.5/5 Cupid 4.5/5 (LEAST FAV) Medley: It's All Right / For Sentimental Reasons 5/5 Twistin' The Night Away 4.5/5 Somebody Have Mercy 5/5 Bring It on Home to Me 5/5 Nothing Can Change This Love 5/5 (FAV) Having a Party 4.5/5
It sounded like a great party
Fantastic energy and I love how present the crowd is in the mix.
Great catchy tunes.
What a vibe, front to back. Feel like I'm taken back in time while listening to it.
Just an unbelievable live album. I love all of his ad-libing. If only this had been filmed.
Sam Cooke is just amazing - this album made me feel like I was there.
What a showman, what a voice, what a crowd. There might be tighter performances on record, but the energy from the venue is overflowing. A live album that makes me wish I could've been there, as good live albums should. Highlights: Chain Gang, Medley, Somebody Have Mercy, Nothing Can Change This Love
Great voice, although the live production kinda sucks. The music is also corny - the type of stuff Martin Scorsese would play over the 17th montage of his latest 4 hour film
Enjoyable. Most songs sound the same but good. 3.5 rounding up.
Poor recording quality and samey songs, only the energy saves it.
Not typically my taste, but the rhythm was killer
the energy was amazing !!
**Sam Cooke's *Live at the Harlem Square Club* (1963): An In-Depth Review** *Live at the Harlem Square Club* by Sam Cooke is more than just a live album; it is a historic record capturing a transformative moment in music history. Recorded on January 12, 1963, in a small, smoke-filled club in Miami, Florida, this album showcases Cooke at his rawest and most electrifying. It offers a striking contrast to his polished studio recordings, revealing the gritty, powerful soul behind the smooth pop persona. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, and will assess the pros and cons of this iconic recording. ### 1. **Lyrics** Sam Cooke’s lyrics in *Live at the Harlem Square Club* reflect the core themes of love, longing, and joy, which are staples in his discography. However, in the live setting, these lyrics take on a new dimension. The emotive delivery adds layers of meaning to even the most straightforward lines. **Highlights:** - **"Bring It On Home to Me":** Cooke’s pleading tone and heartfelt delivery elevate this song’s simple lyrics about reconciliation and love lost and found. The repeated refrain, "Bring it to me," becomes an almost spiritual call, resonating deeply with the audience. - **"Twistin' the Night Away":** This song's lyrics are straightforward, focusing on the joy of dancing and celebrating life. In the live performance, the lyrics gain an infectious energy, drawing the audience into the experience. **Analysis:** The lyrics of these songs are not complex or metaphor-laden, but they are effective in their simplicity. They reflect the universal themes of human experience, which is part of what makes them so relatable. In the live setting, the immediacy of Cooke’s performance injects new life into these familiar words, making them resonate on a deeper level. ### 2. **Music** Musically, *Live at the Harlem Square Club* is a masterclass in soul and rhythm and blues (R&B). The album features Cooke backed by an energetic band led by saxophonist King Curtis, whose contributions are integral to the album’s dynamic sound. **Instrumentation:** - **Rhythm Section:** The rhythm section, particularly the driving bass lines and the energetic drumming, provides a solid foundation for Cooke’s vocals. The uptempo grooves of songs like "Having a Party" and "Twistin' the Night Away" showcase the tight, propulsive nature of the band. - **Horns:** The brass section adds a brassy punch to the arrangements, particularly on tracks like "Chain Gang" and "Somebody Have Mercy." The interplay between the horns and Cooke’s vocals creates a call-and-response dynamic that heightens the energy of the performance. **Vocal Performance:** Sam Cooke’s voice is the centerpiece of the album. His vocal delivery is raw, powerful, and full of emotion. Unlike the smoother, more controlled performances on his studio albums, Cooke allows himself to stretch and bend notes, creating an almost visceral connection with the audience. **Improvisation:** One of the most striking aspects of the album is Cooke's willingness to improvise. He plays with the timing and phrasing of his lyrics, allowing his voice to soar, shout, and whisper as the mood dictates. This spontaneity gives the album a sense of urgency and makes each song feel like a unique, in-the-moment creation. ### 3. **Production** The production of *Live at the Harlem Square Club* is both a strength and a limitation of the album. Recorded by engineer Wally Heider, the sound is raw and unpolished, which adds to the authenticity of the performance but also presents some challenges. **Sound Quality:** - **Pros:** The album captures the energy of the live performance in a way that is almost tangible. The crowd noise, the interaction between Cooke and the audience, and the imperfections in the recording all contribute to the feeling of being present at the show. - **Cons:** The rawness of the recording also means that there are moments when the sound quality is less than ideal. The balance between the instruments and Cooke’s voice is not always perfect, with some elements occasionally getting lost in the mix. **Mixing:** The mixing of the album is minimalist, allowing the live atmosphere to take center stage. There is little in the way of studio manipulation, which preserves the authenticity of the performance but also means that any flaws in the live recording are more apparent. **Impact of Production Choices:** The choice to keep the production minimal and to embrace the rawness of the live recording is a bold one. It allows listeners to experience the performance as it was, with all its imperfections. However, for those accustomed to the slick production of Cooke's studio work, this can be jarring. Ultimately, this approach suits the album’s intent—to present a true, unfiltered snapshot of Cooke's live prowess. ### 4. **Themes** The themes of *Live at the Harlem Square Club* revolve around love, joy, and the human experience. Cooke’s setlist for the night was carefully chosen to reflect these universal themes. **Love and Longing:** - **"Bring It On Home to Me"** and **"Chain Gang"** both touch on themes of love and longing, albeit in different ways. The former is a plea for reconciliation, while the latter, though originally about the plight of prisoners, becomes a metaphor for enduring hardship with hope. **Celebration and Joy:** - **"Having a Party"** and **"Twistin' the Night Away"** are celebrations of life and the communal joy of music and dance. These songs capture the spirit of the live performance, emphasizing the connection between Cooke and his audience. **Resilience and Perseverance:** - **"Somebody Have Mercy"** and **"Feel It (Don't Fight It)"** deal with the struggles of life and the strength needed to overcome them. These themes resonate deeply in the context of the early 1960s, especially considering Cooke's later involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. ### 5. **Influence** *Live at the Harlem Square Club* is an album that has had a lasting impact on music and culture. It showcases a side of Sam Cooke that was not widely known at the time—his raw, soulful energy, which would later influence countless artists across genres. **On Soul Music:** The album is often cited as one of the greatest live recordings in soul music history. It captures the transition from the polished, crossover-friendly sound of early R&B to the more raw, emotionally charged performances that would define soul music in the 1960s and beyond. Artists like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown would carry forward the live performance intensity that Cooke exemplified on this album. **On Live Recordings:** The album set a new standard for live recordings. It demonstrated that a live album could capture the essence of an artist in a way that studio recordings could not. The rawness and energy of *Live at the Harlem Square Club* influenced future live albums by artists such as Bob Dylan (*Live 1966*), The Rolling Stones (*Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!*), and more. **Cultural Impact:** Though not released until 1985, the album’s eventual release added to the understanding of Sam Cooke’s artistry. It revealed the depth of his connection to the black community and his roots in gospel and R&B, counterbalancing his more commercially successful pop recordings. This live album has since become a crucial part of Cooke’s legacy, ensuring that his influence is recognized not only for his contributions to pop music but also for his role in the development of soul music. ### **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** - **Raw Energy and Authenticity:** The album captures Sam Cooke at his most raw and passionate, showcasing his ability to connect with a live audience. - **Vocal Performance:** Cooke’s voice is powerful and emotive, demonstrating his range and versatility as a performer. - **Musicianship:** The backing band, led by King Curtis, provides a tight, energetic foundation that enhances the overall performance. - **Influential:** The album has had a lasting impact on live recording standards and the evolution of soul music. **Cons:** - **Sound Quality:** The rawness of the live recording means that there are moments when the sound quality is less than ideal, which may be a drawback for some listeners. - **Lack of Polish:** Those expecting the smooth, polished sound of Cooke’s studio work may be surprised or even put off by the rough edges of the live performance. - **Limited Setlist:** While the songs performed are strong, the album’s brevity and relatively short setlist leave the listener wanting more. ### **Conclusion** *Live at the Harlem Square Club* by Sam Cooke is a landmark album that offers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the soul of one of music’s greatest artists. The live recording captures the energy, passion, and connection between Cooke and his audience in a way that studio albums cannot replicate. The album's themes of love, joy, and perseverance resonate deeply, while its influence on soul music and live recordings is undeniable. While the album's rawness and less-than-perfect sound quality might be seen as drawbacks, they are also part of what makes this recording so powerful. It stands as a testament to Cooke’s ability to transcend the confines of the recording studio and connect with his audience on a deeply emotional level. In the end, *Live at the Harlem Square Club* is a must-listen for anyone interested in the roots of soul music or in understanding the full breadth of Sam Cooke's artistic legacy. Its pros far outweigh its cons, making it not just a great live album, but a pivotal moment in music history.
For me it sounds like real sam cooke, rather than how the studio albums were recorded- probably so they appealed more to a white america. Excellent album
I’m really enjoying it, it probably sounds great on vinyl too
The best live albums makes you wish that you were there, that it was a unique, magical moment. This is on of those albums.
Songs of love and heartbreak. We really don't have enough of those.
Passionate RnB with a strong delivery, Sam Cooke knows how to put a crowd on fire!
Sam Cooke is a name I’ve heard and I know he’s well respected as a musician, but I hadn’t heard any of his music until now. So, let me start by saying that the music the band played as the album opened and led into Sam Cooke’s introduction caught me off guard—but I loved it. Talk about funky, odd, strange, and playful. If anything, I wish that music had gone on longer. As for the rest of the album, it was raw and full of energy. You can tell it was recorded in an intimate setting with a smaller crowd, and both the audience and the band were engaging and feeding off one another. I was pretty far out of my element with this artist, but I’m definitely going to check out more of his discography.
-1 for being a live album, -1 for the band apparently not knowing the cues, -1 for so ga sounding almost completely the same
Good songs, weird mix, tired voice
The energy, performance, and vibes are all on point, with this also being an excellent way to represent an influential artist with big singles without adding an album that doesn’t really belong just because of some songs on it.
A soul legend, a legendary live recording.
Holy moly this was a bonkers-good
Smooth mellows
At first I was bummed because it's another live album, but I didn't find that to be a detractor at all. A fantastic album- great pacing and the live recording is near indistinguishable from the studio recording. Cupid is one of my favorite songs ever; I was chuffed to see it included.
This is the first 5 I've given out to an album that I wasn't already familiar with. This is awesome.
Simply fantastic. Sam Cooke makes it all work so well. He has the swing in his music that makes you want to move and he has a powerful voice when he wants to. Bits of this felt like he was channeling James Brown and the product is an incredible show that starts off super high.
Fellas, is it cool if: 📝You help your friend and his brothers get a music deal. ⚰️Same friend shows up at your funeral in your clothes + your wife on his arm. 💍They get married 3 months after your funeral. 🚸Your friend then also Fs your daughter. 😡Then your friend gets 🔫 by your wife(now friend's wife) when she finds out. Sam Cooke haunted the crap out of Bobby Womack.
Another live album, but I enjoyed this one and it captures a live feel more so than albums that just happened to be recorded at a performance but were otherwise indistinguishable from a studio recording aside from worse quality. I’d never heard of Sam Cooke before this (at least by name) but he has a powerful voice that kept going til the end of the album. He’s a great singer and I like how he engages the crowd. From the start I thought of the band from Animal House and then “Twistin the Night Away” came on, which justified it completely. A great rendition too. This album was fun. Not a bad track on it and the “live” part of it is finally a plus rather than a detriment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d1phCytJyg
So fun!
Ganske chill 3.5
I’m generally not a fan of older live albums due to poor production but this one sounds pretty good. I would still go for the studio recordings of most of these songs. Sam’s voice is very powerful and cuts through the thin recording but the instruments are a bit weak. Typical of live recordings.
Rated July 24th 2024 What a fun live album. The crowd is so lively and Sam Cooke feeds off of it so well.
I didn't realize I knew anything by Sam Cooke until I started listening to the album. Song after song I was familiar with and I just loved the live versions of them. It sounds like they were having such a ball at this show. Between this and Folsom Prison I am more and more opening up to maybe listening to some live albums. I've never been a big fan before but I loved both of those. 5 stars for me.
Unbelievably good!
For those giving this album bad reviews because or recording quality....get over yourselves. The dude's voice is amazing. This makes me want to sit by a pool on a hot summer day, friends near, with drinks in hand. Love it.
Smooth
It’s too bad this album sat on a shelf for 22 years. Cooke shows that he knows how to party, changing up each song just enough to make it a unique experience and keeping the crowd involved. Slightly higher rating for the spirit captured in the album.
What fun, live Sam Cooke!
Holy shit this is a good album.
Now this is soul.
That was a fun little show. Very well recorded for the era. 3 stars
Great live album. Top stuff.
A superior performance. Sam Cooke is a legend. Live horns, classic songs and energy.
Instant 5 stars when it comes to Sam Cooke! Heard some of his radio hits thru the years but really “discovered” him around 2005ish, instantly loved him.. nice change on this live album from his more whitewashed pop sound - makes sense that he was in the middle of the civil rights era
Fun. Joyful.
God I fucking love Sam Cooke. Another one taken from us too soon. Blasted this in my car on the way to work this morning and it felt like I was part of the crowd; I wish I could have been present in this nightclub at this time. The crowd sounds so into it, singing along, the women screaming for Sam. His energy is electric and his band is vibrant. The music swings and grooves the entire time, never losing a beat or dipping in momentum. Sam’s voice is one of a kind and carries such gravity that will always impact me in such a human way. Very happy to have learned about this one.
Great songs not the best recording though
Lovely live happy vibe
Hell yeah. The medley into Twistin the Night Away was the peak, it made me wish I was there dancing along. I loved this so much
I can think of worse ways to use a Time Machine than to go back to the Harlem Square club in 1962 to see Sam Cooke
4.5
The vocals, the instrumentals, the ENERGY!! What isn’t there to say about this album? It’s super enjoyable from start to finish and keeps the energy up the whole time, a feat I wasn’t sure possible. Alas, I must save a 5 for the best of the best, but this was still very enjoyable.
Baby I’m gonna leave a review. Yeah leave a review. Leave a review. A review. A review. A review. Baby a review. Yeah.
Wasn't as good as I was expecting.
Bueno
born to be at a Sam Cooke concert, forced to live through the crumbling fall of America
Excellent live album. 4.5/5
I didn’t recognise the name Sam Cooke, but I definitely recognised Twistin’ The Night Away. This is one of the rare live albums that come up in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Usually, I’m not the biggest fan of live albums, but the ones in this project have generally impressed me. Gladly, Sam Cooke is not an exception to this rule. He has such a nice voice - possibly lacking in training but brimming with soul. This made for a very nice drive.
Energy on every track. Great live album!
What a performer Sam Cooke is. He's got the audience in the palm of his hand over this entire record. Incredible. His voice is great and the performance is full of energy. Not a 5 star record for me though, objectively amazing but personally only 75% amazing, some songs didn't move me much
Banger
Non male, ma non indimenticabile. Bella 'Twistin' the night away'
Sound quality not good, but music great.
Immersive live recording. Great voice.
Soul,R&B,gospel. Bring It on Home to Me.
Sam Cooke is fantastic. Not my favorite of his, but he's still great.
Wonderful. Great.
I love Sam Cooke but the quality of this left much to be desired.
8/10. Enjoyed it
OMG, to be in the audience! Everyone is having such a blast, the band is tight and Sam is ON FIRE! Love it! 5 stars!
July 6, 2024 HL: "Chain Gang", "Cupid", "Twistin' the Night Away", "Bring It On Home To Me" Great listen; even with the 2005 "remaster" it still sounds like a bootleg tho
Cool
Sam Cooke LOVES his woman. This album is less of a live set, more of a party and a proclamation. His energy is bombastic, the audience part of the band. It's electric. The backing band is great, but they are a bit behind because this is Sam's show, and he shines. Incredible capture of a night from 60 years ago.
‘60s soul performed live in a small club… It really doesn’t get better than this. All the tempos are elevated, the crowd is charged. The performance is electrifying. I only have 2 complaints; it’s but long enough, and I’m not old enough to have been there.
4/10
p62. 1963. 3 stars. Pros: THAT voice, and some great material. Cons: I'm not a fan of live albums. And strangely... it all felt a bit artificial... and dare I say it, soulless?
I imagine this was out of this world to actually go and see live. I just struggle with connecting with some of these live albums. Can’t question Sam Cooke’s incredible talent! Glad I listened but doubt I’ll turn to it again. 3.2
Great music, terrible recording.
A fun listen. Huge energy and I'm sure it was a blast to see in person. Vocals are great but there's not enough in the way of other instruments to elevate this album to a 4. Still glad I listened though. 7/10 (3.5/5)
Absolutely loved this!
Good soul live album, they were clearly having fun there. That said, I don't care for live albums.
Holy moly!
Guy can belt a tune out! Enjoyed this although not my type of music so not intending to listen to much more
Bored, not bad songs and I knew a lot, just not an interesting voice
Wish I could’ve seen him live. Great voice and energy
Amazing live album, amazing soul. But this music has aged a little. So how do I judge this? Based on music today or music at the time? Comparing this to music 50 years later is like looking at Newton's accomplishments and saying, "Meh, that's old school." Newton was one of the most revolutionary figures ever. So I will judge this by the standard of the time. 5 stars.
I don't have many opinions about this album, it is fine but nothing really stood out. I don't really listen to this type of music ever and I think this is the only Sam Cooke album on the list so I would have preferred to listen to one of his studio albums because now I probably never will. I hope this live album had some historical significance that made it more important than all of his studio albums.
This thing absolutely SMOKES, holy shit. Rarely does a live album feel this essential.
I had forgotten that my mom used to play Sam Cooke on the living room record player when I was a kid. He's got such a great voice, and these are classic tunes.
Lots of fun, all the hits and more! A great singer and entertainer in his prime, with a solid band and the audience eating out of his hand. It feels more like a historical record than a ground breaking album, but still fun nonetheless.
Love this! I have never heard Sam Cooke live before, only ever the typical songs played on the radio. It feels like a cool atmosphere to have experienced.
Brilliant album. I really enjoyed this. these songs sounded great live. I will be listening to this again. Favourite song: Cupid and twisting the night away live were excellent Least favourite: all good. Album artwork: Good cover
It’s got energy but just can’t take another live album … Sam cooke is great but I wouldn’t realistically listen to this ever again.
This was a real fun listen. You can hear they all have a really good time. Sam Cooke’s voice is great and legendary
Sam Cooke is a name I’ve heard and I know he’s well respected as a musician, but I hadn’t heard any of his music until now. So, let me start by saying that the music the band played as the album opened and led into Sam Cooke’s introduction caught me off guard—but I loved it. Talk about funky, odd, strange, and playful. If anything, I wish that music had gone on longer. As for the rest of the album, it was raw and full of energy. You can tell it was recorded in an intimate setting with a smaller crowd, and both the audience and the band were engaging and feeding off one another. I was pretty far out of my element with this artist, but I’m definitely going to check out more of his discography.
I must admit, I was mildly disappointed by this. It was decent, but compared to other 60s soul there is way better out there. After a while I started to find his voice quite grating, and this is definitely biased by the fact that I got a live album yesterday too, but the low production value also made this album quite hard to get through.
Feel It (Don't Fight It)
Fun! Live! Very lively, danceable. Groovy. Nice.
Funky
Always thought of Cooke as more of a crooner, but this set bangs at times. Great backing band, unmistakable charisma and a virtuoso performance. I’m a convert!
Funky and foundational rock'n'roll. It's hard to put yourself into a 1963 state of mind and listen to this as it would've been heard back then, before rock music had taken all the turns it took in the subsequent 60 years. There's a lot to enjoy here though. The man can sing!
love the crooners
the verve!
Upper mids
One of the best voices in pop history, but this performance felt a little tame, especially considering King Curtis and his crew were backing.
Good
Fun, short, and sweet soul album. I liked it. Listens: 1 Fave Track: Feel It (Don’t Fight It) Rating: 3
Up on the pulpit To a raucous crowd, preaches Living through troubles
That smooth voice. I hear lots of joy in it. Lots of classic tracks here including Chain Gang and Twisting The Night Away.
I have always loved Sam Cooke, and now I know I love his studio work. I can't find a fair assessment for his crowd work other than to say it was persistently annoying. It felt like a preschool teacher coaching toddlers through his songs rather than an artist having fun with and letting his fans enjoy his songs. Maybe I was in a bad mood, but this was a disappointment.
Classic oldies style.
The first album I was given to review. I don't usually listen to live albums or this music style but I enjoyed it. Nice to listen to something different! The energy was great. Highlights: Chain Gang Twistin' The Night Away Having a Party
Good, but his studio productions were better
Love the music, love the voice but there is something about live albums that doesn’t translate to listening for me and I always end up imagining how good it would be to have been there
Irgendwie mag diese Musik
Sam Cooke sings! I mean he really belts it out here. Him and his band play with a loudness, intensity, and degree of grittiness that wasn’t present in pop or soul at the time. The recording has an immediacy and urgency that makes you feel like you’re right there in the club with them. And Cooke’s voice just grabs you, sucks you right in, and keeps you there until he’s done with his set. A masterful live soul album.
Really strong performance but a bit same-y from front to back and not something that really draws me back.
Love the energy.
I am generally not a huge fan of live albums, but this one is certainly an exception. Sam Cooke has an amazing voice and this album just conveyed what an amazing present he must’ve been. Some truly great classic songs.
Prima album, goed gespeeld, ook weer niet baanbrekend
I LOVE HIM MY POOKIE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC
Like, not life changing but vibey as hell
Really enjoyed this! Listened while Darlo and I were taking a walk on Friday morning and found myself bopping along consistently.
I generally like Sam and there’s some nice tracks here, but this is #38 out of 1,001??? It’s not that worthy. Maybe it’s so high-ranking because it wasn’t released until 20 years after the fact because in 1963 the record company thought it was too gritty and raw and would damage his pop image. The cover version of Twistn’ the Night Away by Rod Stewart is one of my fave tracks, with great slide guitar work from Ron Wood before he joined the Stones.
Enjoyed this one.
Just no
Gear: Focal Clear (ZMFed) Artwork: 😑 Mix: beeindruckend für eine Aufnahme von [1963]! Musik: [Sam Cooke] schafft es leider auch nicht, den Zirkel der mauen Live-Alben für diese Top-Alben-Liste zu durchbrechen - trotz beeindruckender Arbeit mit dem Publikum! Wertung: 🎙️🎙️(🎙️)/5
OH MY GOD it's like I’m hearing music for the first time. I CAN'T STOP DANCING! DON'T FIGHT IT! FEEL IT!!!! I don't know how to twist but sam I swear I'm trying my best. how does one not move their entire body snapping their fingers and tapping their feet to all of these songs.. it's transfixing.. I feel the 60's mysticism of letting the music sweep you away from all of your worries and up into a cloud of pure glory. Bring It on Home to Me has the most passionately in-love vocals of all time probably. this thing is a masterwork.
It's okay, not something I'd listen to again.
I'm not digging the live versions
Really good really fun. He has such a charming energy it’s great. A teir
Thoroughly enjoyable rambuncious r and b album! Excellent fun!
Easy to listen to; hard to not start moving to the beat. His singing comes so naturally. Must have been an experience to be there when it was recorded.
The main thing I'm learning from listening to nearly 300 albums from this website is just how much I like 60s soul music. This is the latest one that I would have never listened to previously which I'll definitely go back to. Really solid good fun from start to finish and one of the best live albums I've had on here so far. Fav tracks: Chain Gang, Twistin' the Night Away, Feel It
Actually a pretty nice album, very jazzy, enjoyable having this in the background, makes you want to tap your foot to the beat.
Fun. I should revisit this one.
Surprisingly nice.
Decent live album, but the live part is the most interesting thing about this as the songs are standards 3/5
Neat live intro Sam Cooke sang I don't know much about history Distinct album sound, noticed immediately when it was over
5/5 - really fun
this was great
Feels like I'm there. Was probably a great evening. Nice PSA about not beating your wife I suppose.
god i love sam cooke live performances hitting as hard as the studio recordings is hard to do right but he does it
I LOVE Sam Cooke, and he’s great live, but this certainly isn’t a great listen. The recording quality is quite poor and I think you really had to be there for this one. Don’t know why it’s made this list at all? 3 stars because he’s amazing whatever he does. If he has any actual records on here, they’ll be getting 5 from me.
3.5 Excellent live album, just a lot of fun.
Lot of fun this!
Very good
Great mood setting album. He’s better live than in studio which is rare.
There is no forgetting this is a live recording. Cooke is constantly interacting with the audience, asking them to sing part of the songs and dance, and it feels weird to listen to as an album. This kind of polished soul without challenging lyrical or musical content isn't really my thing. It's fine music for its genre, but neither live recordings nor pop soul are really my thing, so we're landing on a 2.
Decent soul album, but didn't grab me.
A really good album. Loved Chain gang, It's Alright/For Sentimental Reasons and Nothing Can Change This Love.
normally i hate live music albums but im actually a fan of this one
The best crowd reaction and sing along I've ever heard on record. Sam Cooke had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. An incredible performance of 1950s and 60s rock-'n'-roll. The energy in the room is palpable. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Medley: It's Alright / For Sentimental Reasons Date listened: 22/05/24
Pretty good.
Southern soul. One of the best live albums I've ever heard. Nonstop amazing songs, amazing performances, powerful vocals. SO much energy and love packed into one concert, somehow properly captured in the recording. I can't help but imagine what it must have been like to be there. All bad feelings wash away while listening to this. Impossible to not enjoy. Would love to revisit. 5/5
"One Night Stand" AKA "Same Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club" is second live album by Sam Cooke, originally recorded in 1963 but not officially released until 1985. It's no secret why artists like The Beatles were trying to emulate artists like this at the time. I mean, just listen to that commanding energy. You almost feel as though you're transported there watching Sam on stage and partying with the crowd. The album is only about 35 minutes long, so it quite literally shows up, smacks you in the face, and is gone just as quick as it started. Something I really found interesting about this album is the production. Sure they didn't have the greatest recording technology at the time but man this thing is raw. I find it adds immensely to the overall party vibe of the record. Apparently the label didn't think the same. Although this was originally recorded in 1963, it wasn't released until 1985. The label, RCA, was not pleased with the recording, calling it "too gritty and raw". They were worried it would tarnish his pop image. Absolute bullshit. Sorry RCA, no pop bullshit with orchestra here. To top it all off, this album was recorded at a small and intimate venue in Miami's neighborhood of Overtown, a historically black town. The venue was jam packed with Sam Cooke's OG fans from back when he was a gospel artist. And man, did the crowd come to party. Sam even encourages to continue partying after the show is over! Man, what a time.
Feel good listen 8.5/10
Doesn't feel like it does Sam Cooke justice. Lot of chatter, intros, and then the actual song content is quite brief. Shame, it's great what is little there is. 3*
Nuevamente, toca artista que no conocía. Pasional para cantar Sam Cooke. Dueño de un estilo más sucio (o por lo menos, en este vivo que estoy escuchando). Hoy fue una mañana difícil, así que la reseña cierra acá.
It's Sam Cooke, man, it's Sam Cooke. 'Nough said ;-)
The single greatest live album of all time. From the introduction, the way that it builds, the way that Sam whips the crowd into a frenzy, the release on Somebody Have Mercy and the sheer peak of Bring It On Home To Me, followed by the slow cool down that ends with the celebration that is Having A Party. In the words of Mr. Cooke himself, "I just can't quit you". His voice is raspy perfection, the best a soul singer has ever sounded on tape - a little raspy, tired, pleading, a little cocky and hopeful that it will all work out in the end. The band is loose but tight in all the right places. The crowd is vocal and you can hear their sweaty love for it all through the tape and 60 years of time. A masterpiece.
Fun and iconic, but musically and vocals didn’t wow me
Soul album, very nice performance, Sam Cooke's voice gets u moving, the lyrics are inspiring ngl
very enjoyable, 4/5
6/10 Highlights: Chain Gang
maybe it’s heresy but i like the studio sam cooke better
He’s so fun
Such a powerful and charismatic voice. Engaging performance sound quality issues aside. Though I don’t prefer live albums, you can tell that the crowds energy really heightens the experience. 4.1 stars
Sam Cooke is the man love his voice smooth like velvet but soulful and gritty when needed quite the ladies man got him shot and killed by a jealous husband😬
Pretty solid throughout, lots of energy. The story of the album is more interesting than the music itself, but was enjoyable.
Great live album, what a voice
Wonderful!!
One of my favorite soul albums of all time! It is not a perfect record, but Sam Cooke's voice never sounded as great as in this one. Also, the way the band plays with the songs is just great.
Listened to this during a light leg day. I liked the album length. Probably my favorite live album on this list because of the audience and live band and his energy. Not my thing but enjoyable.
Maybe I would feel better ab this if it wasn’t a live album. I think live albums have a time n place and this list is not the place bc usually I only listen to/appreciate live versions if I already love & am familiar w the song. 6/10
Really fun listen! Love the energy. The Wiki story about it being too raw and gritty shaped the way I listened to it, and I think it made me enjoy it more. Bad boy energy ya know? 8.5/10
7/10 - The random "I ain't got leukemia was crazy" in somebody have mercy. Every song was so groovy. He sounds so into the music which is just amazing to hear. Some of the songs it was annoying to hear him talk to the crowd or the crowd talking back since it takes away from the music.
Fun listen. Also I’m not gonna rate out of 10 anymore, my feelings on albums change so much after I rate them and I feel like a rating out of 5 is generally more accurate in the long run
Sam Cooke is great too, and Live at the Harlem Club is a fun listen, great tunes, great energy, timeless and soulful and memorable and all of that. I think we've had better live albums that capture a more iconic moment and with greater showmanship, but an easy 4.
This is great fun, he's having a whale of a time and so are the audience. A lovely infectious energy, but it's missing something that stops it getting a 5, think the songs are a bit too samey maybe? 4/5.
A lot of great live performances, really took me back
Wow this is a great live show. It makes me wish I was in the audience. Sam's voice is AMAZING.
That's some mighty fine crowd work, boss.
funky, jazzy. Not my thing this old school funk grunty stuff.
Good fun
The energy in this one was amazing. It's remarkable the difference with a good live artist. I would listen to this again for sure.
The man has some pipes and is very talented. I can appreciate this soul music for what it is.
Like heavy metal for the 60s
Love his voice. Sounds great live. Liked being able to hear the crowd singing along 4 ⭐️
Fun but not sure I'm that wowed
I'm not usually a fan of live albums but I really enjoyed this one. You can tell that the audience is really having a good time too
Listened to this while playing 7th Citadel. It was funny hearing this immediately after Ice Cube...which was soooooo horrible towards women (kicking pregnant women in the stomach level terrible)...so it was a breath of fresh air hearing him say (paraphrase) "don't hit your girlfriend or wife...tell them it's ok and you love them anyway." I really loved the set of music and the way in which it was ordered...it almost told a story through it's 37 minutes.
Ég væri svo til í að hafa verið uppi á þessum tíma og að búa þá í New York og geta farið á svona skemmtanir. Kannski er ég bara að rómantísera hvernig lífið var á þeim tíma en þetta er bara svo skemmtileg tónlist til að fara og hlusta á, helst á pínulitlum skemmtistað í kjallarholu, hópurinn sitjandi í kringum lítið borð og bara að njóta. Ég set þetta aftur á þegar andinn kemst yfir mig. Ég þarf bara að kaupa mér harða stóla og lítið kringlótt borð.
Loved the energy. Sam Cooke has an incredible voice
Enjoyed the liveliness of the album. The entire thing felt alive, but without a factor of nostalgia it did feel dated and blended together.
Great Album! Very well recorded to a live album from 1963. Sam was a great show man!
Incredible live performance. The interaction with the crowd and musicians creates an amazing atmosphere.
I'm genuinely surprised by my feelings about this album. Soul music is something I would not listen to, and it surprised me. First I'll give my one main critique: The songs are very repetitive. Obviously that's a stylistic choice, but I fail to be a huge fan of it. Despite that, the whole album has so much momentum to it. It's something that works for me to focus my attention on or to put in the background as something to enjoy the positive energy of. I am pleasantly surprised. 4.5/5 stars, so I'll round up.
Music is fun, but it's an old live album, so the sound quality suffers.
Wow what a voice.
Great voice
I'm still not sure live albums belong on the list, but this is a good one if they do. It shows the close links between soul and rock & roll, especially when artists chose to play faster louder versions of their famous songs. Also shows how great Mr Cooke was at interacting with an audience, and making them part of the show. The sound quality is a bit patchy at points, but not so bad it spoiled my enjoyment - if anything it added to the "live and loud" feeling of the show!
I like Sam Cooke
pretty fun
Pretty modern for 1963
Like if Elvis stuck to Jazz Did enjoy, just felt kinda repetitive at times, needed more solos/instrumental sections but probably wasn’t integral at time of recording
all a bit samey samey but good vibes
Nice and short. Enjoyed throughout and I think the live aspect really added character
that was pretty fun.
I actually loved this one. Short but sweet. I think I preferred this a lot to something like lady soul bc it was live and you could really feel the energy and the songs were also just great.
It was an album,it was jazz
Best live album of all time bar none. Cooke used the tour to perfect an experience for the artist that felt spontaneous and moving. 3rd show of the night and everybody's feeling it. The sweat comes through the speakers. One of the most enigmatic figures in late 50s early 60s soul. He was a voice of social change, but this shows he knew how to thread the needle and sometimes that meant just having a party!
If this could be cleaned up a little and/or completely remastered it would be a 4-star album! Sam Cooke’s voice was so great!
If you don’t listen to this and feel at least a little bit happy, I swear you don’t have a pulse.
The audio is a lot nicer than the James brown live album I reviewed a couple days back, the crowd doesn’t get in the way of the music but still makes you feel like you’re really there. Just a very fun album, I don’t think you could feel bad listening to this.
Sam cooke is one of those artists who has incredible charisma in his live performances. While nothing mind blowing, this was really fun and energetic performance and im always a sucker for live recordings where people are singing along.
Love Sam Cooke,.missing a few hits but great performance
Fun, great voice and great raw energy.
Imagine suppressing something for more than 20 years because it sounded like too much fun. I do like a live album. And this is a heck of a live album. There aren't many where you can absolutely feel the sweat on your back and the sticky floor under your feet. This is really, really good. So much better than the pop image they tried to preserve.
Sam Cooke is having a great time making this live album. Every song is catchy, fun, and fun to sing along to. I've only heard the Commitments' version of "Bring It on Home to Me," so it was cool to listen to the original. I also didn't know Sam Cooke sand "Twistin' the Night Away."
A fun an energetic performance. I'm just not huge into live albums so aside from enjoying it the first listen to hear some history, I don't think I'll ever return to it
let him cooke
When I first started to listen to this I thought it was a mess. Poorly recorded and mixed. Too much crowd noise. But then I started to think, this is real. This is raw. Close your eyes and you could be in The Harlem Square Club, singing along with Sam. All the classics. Great music
Highlights: Feel It, Twistin' The Night Away, Somebody Have Mercy, We're Having A Party. RCA thought this was too raw and gritty. They were wrong. The label was gutless about releasing it, wanting to preserve Sam's on stage persona. Sure, the sound quality isn't spectacular (perhaps a single mic job?). You can barely hear the horns and guitar, which sound lush when you get to hear them clearly. Sam's voice is crisp and oh so slick. But in saying that, it's likely to be one of the best live recordings of the early 60's. It's down-to-earth compared to Cooke's tv performances. Crowd is loud, the band is playing mightily, EVERYONE is having fun. I wonder if James Brown took notes from Sam Cooke... Overall: 7/10
Soul,R&B,gospel. Bring It on Home to Me.
Just a great time overall.
A noisy live party album, full of energy it almost feels like I'm there.
4/5!
classic album in the sense that it jams well but it wasn't my favorite. the melodies were good, but the live albumness of it all somehow took away from it.
Solid
His singing reminds me of Chris Rock. Once I heard it, I couldn't unhear it. Favorite song: Having a party.
I love Sam Cooke.
Тут не заходит. Это такой активный джазец качовый движовый под который надо крутить твист, а я жидковат и хочу рассоса )
4 - this was really great but awful sound recording, not a fan of live albums when it’s that bad
Too samey, just very musically uninteresting for me. 2.2/5
I love Sam Cooke’s music, seemed rushed at the beginning of this live performance but it evened out nicely and the grit of the live part of it was endearing
Omg que des classiques ici vraiment -
Sam Cooke is my favorite soul singer. However, I've never listened to the album before today. This recording is the Sam Cooke that I love. The raw, road worn version playing in front of an audience that just adores him. He is on fire here. This a must listen for anyone regardless of what genres you like.
This was funky af. I really rate Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke is always a good choice. Great album.
Such a feel-good jam through and through. I can feel the energy in the room and how it's a party I'd love to be at.
I love live albums and I was pretty excited to listen to this one. It was good but I will say I was expecting a bit more energy. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely energy with this one but it's not quite what I expected after listening to other live albums from this time period that have shown up on this list. It was fun hearing these songs live though. Good soulful classics in a live, and energetic environment. Sam Cooke has an amazing voice and is very charismatic with the crowd. I love hearing him work the crowd and hearing them sing along.
This is rowdy Sam Cooke! I love how much energy is in this one. I've listened to a lot of Sam Cooke songs, and I'm always drawn in by how smooth his vocals are and smooth the music. This feels like some real rock and roll. There is a ton of energy in this record, you can hear the crowd in some songs and the band is going for it with every song. However, Sam is next level. His voice is coarse, which is kind of wild. It reminds me Twist and Shout by the The Beatles when John's voice is shot. Bring it On Home To Me is the obvious winner on this record. I don't love the recording quality, its not great, but its also not terrible.
Not bad. 3/5
This is an amazing live album. The pace and energy do not let down once it gets started. Songs are fun too, Sam Cook is great here! Excellent.
The biggest knock I have about this album is just the fact that it is a live recording. Yes, there is energy to it, but the crowd noise really hurts it for me. This is also not the type of music I'm really going to put on myself, but there are so many classic songs, and they really do hold up as just great songwriting. I'd probably give it 4 if the recording quality was better, but I feel I have to put it at 3 just because of the recording quality.
Decent recording, but not my style
Apparently "one of the greatest live soul albums ever released". Not really my cup of tea musically. Good quality recording. 5/10.
pretty great stufff
Lively and a great voice that fits the style, not really my jam but nothing painful
If I could transport myself back in time, what a joy that would be just to be there, that night. Just an incredible live performance, brilliant and effortless.
The voice of Sam Cooke stands on top of every instrument and it's very good, not only that but the people's energy is an important part of this album. The simplicity of love on this album is great too, there's no "deep" emotion behind things, it's love in the purest form. I forgot how good a live album can be. T he atmosphere on it is amazing, if I close my eyes I can feel that I'm there with Sam jamming to his songs. There's nothing to dislike from this album to be honest, it's all positives. In conclusion, this was a fantastic album.
This is a classic. Obviously it has that older sound, but overall I think this album stands the test of time. The whole thing was good, nothing made me want to skip a track. I think it helped that it was a live album as well. This is a good selection for this journey.
Probably would have enjoyed it more if I knew the original songs before hearing them live on this album
Never listened to this specific album before. Awesome! Sam Cooke is so good.
Amazing album to listen to in 1 session. Listened to all but didn't download all.
Out of respect, I listened. Nothing really to say other than high regards for helping create the foundation of this music we love so much.
Sam Cooke is deservedly a legend. I don't like typically like live albums, but this one is deligthful (much like the live Sarah Vaughan)! Cooke is such a light and charismatic presence, it would have been a dream to be there at the club to see him record.
I thought I loved Sam Cooke as much as I could before, but I had never heard him live. His voice is so perfectly raw, and this really feels like the definition of soul. He put his soul into this. I am amazed that I hadn’t heard this earlier, but I’m glad I finally did.
RAW. An entertainer so enveloped in his love and passion of the music he's performing. Absolutely essential soul. An interesting inflection point on the movement of popular music to focus on and include African-American artists and their influences but still preventing them from presenting themselves as such.
Such a fun album. Amazing live recording and one of the few albums I'd relisten to in its entirety.
5/5. The energy and skill is undeniable, just a greatest hits collection. The flow into each song is flawless, and his singing is so passionate and exceptional. It honestly feels too short for the amount we should be getting. I was expecting way more but was very satisfied with the quality and artistry through this record. Definitely a repeat listen for me.
lively, can feel it from the music
Great live recording
had a brilliant time at my 60s prom! one of the best live albums i’ve ever heard.
Doesn’t have the usual issues with live albums Quite like Sam Cooke
Not my thing but it was pleasant!
Nat king Cole and James Brown fusion with some Louis Armstrong thrown in.. Nice Jazzy soul.
nothing too special, pretty fun
I love the STAX / VOLT sound. Sam Cooke is an undeniable talent. I would love to have seen him live in his prime. But this isn't a great music album. The songs (with the exception of Bring it On Home to Me) are monotonous. His improvisations, comments, and ESPECIALLY his weird farts of laughter diminish the performances, and above all - this album demonstrates how GREAT Booker T & the MGs / the STAX house band was.
Lekker swingy en 2 echt wel bangers
Big fan, reminds me of half of a dozen Martin Scorsese movies (I can hear ray liotta saying "I always wanted to be a gangster" over like any of these songs. Def old timey but maybe I'm just an old timey kinda guy.
There are some live albums that make me feel insanely jealous that the audience got to be there. This is one of those. They got their damn money’s worth! Sam Cooke is revered by vocalists for his vocal attack. He has that clear-throated, powerful tone. It’s confident and compelling, just forces you to stop and take notice. Damn, this would’ve been a fun dance floor.
Bet it was fun to be in that crowd
Such energy, so fun. I'd heard all these songs before but not this live album, and I completely understand why it is so loved. Few live albums put you so wholly in the room as this. Definitely will get many, many more listens.
3.5
now normally i would rate this a little bit lower as i am still not too keen of this genre, but where this album shines is the fact that it's live. and it's not just a normal live album, both cooke himself and the roars of the crowd breathe so much life into this album. the way he engages with the crowd and everything, if i was there in person i would be clapping and singing along too.
This was such a fun listen. I love Sam cookes voice. Bring it on home to me was my standout.
An amazing talent taken too soon. His joy and energy radiate from this album. Listening to this will transport you to another time. I love that you can really hear the audience. Not necessarily my favorite Sam Cooke versions of these songs, but an incredible live record nonetheless.
Cooke has some of the most memorable lyrics/songs in the history of modern music. This would've been an amazing concert to attend. That said, even the best remastered released of the album leave A LOT to be desired from a sound quality perspective. Still a pretty fun listen.
Old
Absolute masterpiece.
4.25
I love these old live records from the 60s where they didn't record from a mixing board but set up microphones in the room and picked up what they picked up. Great energy from this record. I know this album has been called one of the best live albums ever recorded and although I don't know that I would go that far, I do think it's a great example of what this kind of performance was like back in the day. A really fun album that shows how great Sam Cooke was as a performer. It's so short though, I don't know that I would give this more than like 3.75/5. I'll give it a 4/5 since 3/5 isn't enough.