Live At The Harlem Square Club

It's a jam

Holy crap. He has the crowd in the palm of his hand the whole time. 2nd only to Stop Making Sense as far as live recordings for me.

Did not like this one, made me think about how men of this era were telling yourg women to "feel their feelings", meaning let yourself get sexual, knowing that women were the only losers in the case of sexual relations: risk getting labeled a slut, risk stds, risk getting pregnant; while the young man gets no blame, can pretend the child is not his, can rely on the woman being ashamed and not outing his behavior.

Generally not a fan of live albums but this is incredible. The soul is out of the speakers.

Soulful live set with James Brown energy but a wonderful tenderness

One of those records that captures a live show that make you wish you were there.

sam cooke is an icon, not much else to say

Very cool to hear this legend his songs in a live format! He was very versatile and this recording shows it! Great length too! 8 out of 10

love the vive but idk i just quite haré yo listen to a some that si not so into old jazz

Muy bueno.

Amazing live performance. 5/5

Not my favorite Sam Cooke but a fun listen still

Quite poor quality

Much worse than most Sam Cooke recordings, which is not how I usually feel about live records

Good vibes. I’m glad this is a live album, the atmosphere helps.

Energetic and fun! Great love album capturing Sam's energy and vibes

Sam’s voice is an injection of energy. This album is a testament of the outstanding display of adrenaline his shows were.

Soulful as fuck.

Made me dance around the house to my neighbors' displeasure

69/100

Very nice, fun collection of songs, though they are a bit repetitive after a while. His singing was fantastic. The quality of the recordings isn't that good, in fact from this aspect it was probably the weakest album so far in my challenge.

Album 215 of 1001 Sam Cooke - One Night Stand - Live at the Harlem Square Club Rating : 4 / 5 Favorite Tracks : Chain Gang, Cupid, Twistin' the Night Away Excellent album. Before albums had to have some concept and/or special meaning. Just a collection of great tunes performed live in a legendary venue by a legendary entertainer and some very talented backing musicians. Awesome stuff.

Wow this is so amazingly good

It was nice, but they all sounded basically the same

Good! Different style to my usual listening

10/10 LOOOOOOOOVE Sam Cooke

not my style but nice groove

One of those classic performers who shaped so much they almost lost some magic since they are so common to hear. Great album, great performance, good live energy.

All the hits. I was thinking ok we got the hits but they don't sound the best, but when I got to Somebody have Mercy I got it. The soul, the passion, the fun they are having came through for me.

Energia a atmosfera

Darn good signer. What a great live performance! Didn't love the music but can't deny the musicianship.

These are the hits

Not my thing but not bad

"Got to feel the feeling baby", en ik voel em. En dat heeft niks met mijn kortstondige bijnaam te maken. Deze plaat maakt mij al jaren euforisch en nog zoveel andere superlatieven. Keukendansvloermuziek van de bovenste keukenkastplank. Waarschijnlijk 1 van de beste feestjes van vorige eeuw op plaat vastgelegd. 1 van de architecten van de R&B/soulmuziek laat hier de blueprints achter. Een man die zijn gelijken enkel vindt in een Ray Charles of Otis Redding. Soul met bakken ziel. Na beluistering ben je gegarandeerd een beter mens dan een half uur geleden. Die berg complimenten moest er even uit voor ik door de muziek uit mijn vel spring. Een dik jaar later was deze grootse soulzanger er al niet meer. Hij bracht nog net het fantastische nummer A Change Is Gonna Come uit, zijn prachtige zwanenzang. Man, wat hadden de jaren 60 nog soulvoller kunnen klinken had 1 van de beste zangers ooit dan nog niet zijn tragisch einde gekend in '64. Mr. Soul liet ons wel ontzettend veel moois na in zijn muzikale erfenis aan de wereld, waarvan ik deze liveplaat het meest frequenteer. En vrijwel altijd in zijn geheel. Het enige minpuntje dat ik kan verzinnen is dat de plaat nog wat langer had mogen duren. Dan maar op repeat zetten. Bedankt Sam. Het was een eer ooit uw geboorteplek in Clarksdale, MS bezocht te hebben. En ik ga u blijven eren tot op de cafetariadansvloer in het rusthuis. Ik kaap daar wel de aux-kabel, als die nog zou bestaan dan.

De charme van een live album gaat me meestal voorbij. Ge had er bij moeten zijn zeker?

a nice collection of perfomances, nothing too incredible about it, but each song sounds kinda the same and repetitive honestly. the kind of sound that makes me swing a bit and think about and love. didnt listen to the whole thing, i skipped through moments of songs and didnt find any that really caught me, but i think thats what you should expect of early 60s live albums. maybe ill listen to it again doing the dishes some day. a soulful voice really.

Catchy but not super into it

quite sweet

Solid jams. Always enjoy a well done live version of anything, and this fits the bill. Felt like I was in a smoky, rowdy venue with front row seats to the show.

Cupid is a great song, but that is the only one I would listen to again.

so good jfc..

A wonderful joyful live album.

It’s not really my style, but even I’m not enough of a cynic to escape this album’s charm. It just cheers you up and makes you want to move. Highlights: - Feel it - Chaingang - Somebody Have Mercy

Classics. Wonderful songs so full of verve. Usually like live albums but i prefer the studio quality on some of these. Though hearing Sam’s crowd work was fun.

Really nice album with some classic tunes, deff worth if in jazzy mood

Some hits and good energy, but mostly made me remember how good live albums can be.

Meh. I tried to groove with it, and it was okay.

менее интересно чем рассчитывала

So good 👍🏽

This is one of those live albums that has better versions of the songs than the studio versions! His performance turns these quaint classics into raucous party songs!

I wasn’t expecting to drop 5 stars on this, but I listened to it 3 times today.

I recognized a couple of songs: Cupid and Twistin' The Night Away. Sam has a good voice, and the quality of the recording is impressive given it was a live show. It must have been fun to be there. But for me this is now just a little too old timey.

Addicting album. Hearing these familiar songs live breathed new life into them. Also hard pressed to think of a better live album, you can sense the room and crowd in a way I'm not sure I've ever heard before.

The energy from the crowd is palpable. You can almost feel like you're there, singing along to the songs you know, waving your handkerchief in the air, and dancing in your seat. I kept trying to think what keeps this album, which I'd never heard before, from being a 5...and I couldn't think of anything.

Interesting live performance. I liked how it flowed from song to song. Not a jazz fan, but I didn't mind listening to this album

Music is good. Lyrics and vocals are meh, and the repetition is a real killer. Live albums are just not it. Fav tracks: N/A

No me suelen gustar los álbumes en directo, pero este me ha encantado. Muy divertido y bastante corto, lo puedes escuchar varias veces seguidas sin cansarte. Las canciones son simples pero Sam Cooke trae mucha energía y hace que se disfrute mucho. Favoritas: Chain gang, Cupid, For Sentimental Reasons, cada vez que involucra al público (sobre todo en For Sentimental Reasons), y cuando dice "I wonder what is wrong with me (It ain´t that leukemia, that ain´t it!" (???).

Top

Fun music. Incredible voice.

The tits! Five stars!

Loved it. Super groovy and full of energy.

Very, very catchy and just makes you wanna dance. The live aspect really puts you into the club at some points. Liked all but one song.

So many classics!

One of the all time great singers. Some great tracks on this album. I'm glad they have some Sam Cooke on here.

Beautiful voice, lots of energy. The crowd is fun and vocal. Makes you feel like you’re there. You can tell they’re having a lot of fun.

Loving it! Listening to it now :)

This was fun, the "King of Soul" doing just that. The album is pretty short (37 minutes) and the energy is good throughout. As always, a bit hard to rate the very old music (particularly the stuff that sounds old), but I generally enjoyed this. Cooke's voice is awesome, good stuff here. Favorite song: Cupid Other: Feel It (Don't Fight It), Twistin' The Night Away, Bring It on Home to Me, Having a Party 10/22/23

Old school bluesy / souly classics, great jams, loved it.

old school jazz/funk, definitely not really my style

What a performer, classic!

It was okay. I am not big on live albums but apparently this is one of the best out there? Idk, it was okay but not my preferred way to listen to music...

Really good album

a lot of crowd interactions that didnt translate super well to recording

Thumbs up

Great voice, classic Motown, no songs really stood out

3/5. Really enjoyed this live album from Sam Cooke. Lots of fun and not something that comes up too often within this journey.

A sweet, sweaty, smoky, chaotic mess with the best soul voice guiding you through. Amazing.

Holy moly, electric and incredible performance

I expected greatness, knowing this is Sam Cooke but, somehow, it was even better than I could imagine. It's his powerful, moving voice, matched with showmanship and energy, that makes this a thrilling and immersive performance. Doesn't hurt that the record contains some of his best songs. Had a blast with this one.

I've never been fond of a live recording. I love a studio album, or to be in a live crowd. I did like the instruments in this

Such incredible energy, both from the performers and almost radiating from the audience. I can't imagine being there for this show! Very danceable and just a great time.

The king. Incredible soul music. Apparently RCA held off on releasing this recording because it was "too loud, raw and raucous – not the Cooke the label was trying to break as an international pop star". WHAT? Who was the RCA head dude at the time I just wanna talk. They deadass said it was too soulful to release. Throw some respect on Gregg Geller, my man found the recording and immediately released it.

AMAZING just plain amazing. No extra words needed.

Definitely filled with vitality, but I wouldn't be able to remember a single note from it.

I wish I was there

Live albums are not it

Fun jazz

❤️

Its All Right Bring it On Home To Me

More spirited than I expected. I’m unlikely to revisit but it definitely has some oomph.

Ihan jees meno!

En tiiä. Ei erityisen kiinnostavaa.

Wow! This is the kind of album I was hoping to find when I signed up for this. I had so much fun listening to this, I knew some of the songs and loved hearing the ones I didn't. I also found the sound quality to be remarkable compared to other live albums. So glad this was today's album!

Great live performance

Recording quality sucks lmao Feel It - horribly basic melody and drums

Liked it, specially because it's played live

Listened Before? N Wow. What a performance. My dude was absolutely ON FIRE in the Harlem Square Club in '63. This man's voice is ingrained in 20th century American culture, mostly due to his pop recordings. This is some of the same songs, but the rawness and energy is incredible. I will be listening to this a lot more. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Cupid, Twistin' The Night Away

Great album. A lot of classic songs, with that loose 50s rock feel that is just a lot of fun to listen to.

Is it just me thinks Chain Gang is just Wonderful World with different lyrics? I like Sam Cooke, I'm sure that would have been an awesome soul night in person at the club that night.... but sadly for me, the quality of recording on this live album has lost the soul of his soul music. So it's not that I don't like the soul tracks Sam produced, I love them, I just don't like this recording.

awesome!

Classic, feel good, jazzy

Gorgeous and delightful. Thanks for the suggestion. I will listen again. I knew I liked Sam Cooke but I didn’t know just how much.

Sound quality is not to the standard one would expect from a live album these days, but it captures the essence of his performance. Some great songs - most of them classics.

cool tracks: chain gang cupid twistin' the night away somebody have mercy bring it on home to me having a party live isn't cool

A lot of fun, different versions of classics I didn't know were by Sam Cooke

Wonderfull Voice, great nerve and tremendous horn section

That is one cool album

Some good tracks but mostly just didn't grab me

Nice live soul record

One of the best live albums ever. Maybe the best, I don't know. It's so raw and energetic, the crowd is into it, Sam is into it, it's banger song after banger song. If you think you don't like live albums, listen to this and you may change your mind.

Great love album, this man can make any word sound good. I like Bring It On Home To Me and Cupid, and the medley and Nothing Can Change This Love.

The energy from the live audience is electrifying. It feels honest and spiritual and a true reflection of the times.

Chill

Good album, would have been amazing to actually hear the live performance. The songs on the album have a timeless feel. The transition between songs is so smooth. Not an album I could listen to on repeat, but definitely something I wouldn't mind coming back to after a bit.

Huge influence on Brian Fallon, both musically and lyrically (“the radio!”)

Amazing energy

wow! my heart is full! just songs that make you feel good, hit you right where they need to. obviously not similar to what i'd normally listen to but how could i not love this?? the flow of the album is great too, not a wasted moment. his little interjections and audience interactions are so charming. i'm charmed! standout- bring it on home to me

Gun live record! Kind of surprised this is the only Sam Cooke on the list but I’ll take what I can get. Cooke’s singing is very raw and much more real than what you get on other recordings. So many of these songs are completely iconic. My only issue with the album is that the instruments get a bit buried under the vocals at times. Essential tracks: 1. Cupid (Added to playlist) 2. Chain Gang 3. Twistin’ the Night Away

This is an absolute banger. 10/10 - no notes. Perfection.

Fun, and the live aspect is actually beneficial for once. Also toddler approved

not for me

This is so good, I wished it was longer and that I had seen him live.

This was great for a live record in the 60s, the sound is crystal. The energy is way up there and I enjoyed every track.

I always somewhat knew Sam Cooke and appreciated the music but never listened to a full album and I was pretty blown away by how good this was. A very pleasant surprise!

Whilst this style of music isn't my usual musical fare, but it is easy to hear that Sam Cooke's approach to music and live performance is impeccable. It would have been amazing to be at this performance in person. Best: Cupid Worst: Twistin' the Night Away

Not sure I am the greatest fan of live albums. The music sounds tinny and distant. But it gave Sam Cooke a chance to be far more gritty and raw and less sweet.

I love the songs, but am not a fan of this live performance.

Sitting here in 2023 listening to a recording of one night in 1963, it's impossible to appreciate this performance for everything it's worth — generations removed. And I guess I'm saying that because I didn't particularly enjoy this album. The mix was OK, Cooke's voice was a bit ragged, I wasn't buying his jocular attitude — it wasn't ringing true. That said, I also felt like a visual component would have helped a lot. And he seemed to get the crowd going after what sounded like a rather lackluster response to his introduction. But, based on what I heard, a 3-star feels a little generous. I'll bet there are tons of better representations of Cooke's talents.

What a joy this is. Wish I could have been there. Although, it almost sounds like I am there, thanks to how this recording captures the crowd. If I'm going to nitpick, I do wish he mixed things up a bit more, especially at the beginning, but that's a small complaint. The guy has energy, charisma, and vocal chops for days, so I'm rounding my 4.5 up to a full 5.

I would have dug being at this show in this venue

Showman! Swingy and varied repertoire. Don’t like to listen to old recordings in general, but can imagine this as a 5* when being there.

Fun! Great energy!

Nice album, really enjoyed that!

These old school live club recordings just make me want to be there every time. It feels alive.

Amazing energy

Never listened to this but just recently heard about it. I love Sam Cooke, so I’m excited to check his out. Very fun! Cool to be able to hear the faster, raw, live versions. But I will say that it’s not as listenable. Things seem rushed. Might have to go 4 as much as I love Sam.

Utterly electric.

Not my soul brother number 1, however good he was, it's too lounge for me

Just limp for my liking and all one tempo. But given when it was ….

Seems to have been quite some energy in that club going on. I think in general, I've concluded that I don't like live albums that much. So far the ones I've heard have been less impressive than regular ones, and I'm not sure why I keep seeing them on this list. Regardless, I would consider this one of the better ones I've heard. It's also fun to hear a different more energetic version of Sam Cooke than I'm used to hearing, so it'll get a 3 from me.

I'm getting a bit tired of live albums. I feel that they often preach to the choir, if you like the artist then you will enjoy it and if you haven't heard of them or don't like them, then the live album won't change your mind. It was fun to hear Sam Cooke energetic and no just some very proper ballad singer so it was worth a listen. Gets a weak 3 from me.

Enjoyable, good to listen to in the background but not super engaging for me. Sounds like something my grandparents would listen to if they weren't racist.

Sam Cooke is a legend. I already own his box set.

Cooke's voice is magnificent, and the live energy of the venue and audience is wonderfully captured on the record. The actual music and songs, however, are quite uninteresting and unengaging.

What a voice, what a band, what a sound, what a crowd!

It's a great live album. Cooke sounds spectacular and, taking into consideration just exactly when this was recorded, it's a true testament of how polished Cooke was as a performer. However, a lot of it sounds the same. At one point I found myself looking at the track list because I had thought I was listening to the same song for almost 15 minutes. Regardless, front to back, this is a great album to put on and let play in any background setting. There's nothing to overtly dislike here. Taken from us far too soon, The King of Soul still demands a good listen to. 3.5/5

Pretty fun, but nothing too exciting.

I wanted to like this, I felt like a lot of the songs hooked me at first, but then it just collapsed into what every live album from this era seems to sound like. Everyone is having a blast, sure, but I'm not there, and so each song sounding the same is a lot more noticeable, and the album feels nearly there with each new song that appears, but it seems to always to devolve to something about swinging. I understand why people would like this, but I feel not invited to the party everyone on this album is having, but I wanted to stay home that night anyway.

god i need to listen to more soul 4.5 ⭐️

He was jamin and having a good ol time

Now this is a live album! You can feel the electricity coursing through this recording. Sam is in good form, belting out many of his hits to a crowd that is rightfully riled up. On songs such as "For Sentimental Reasons", the crowd's voices threaten to overtake Sam's, a spontaneous choir showing their love for music, and Sam's music specifically. The details of his premature death are unfortunate, but he sure sounds alive here.

Not really vibing with this one. I see the appeal, but it being a live show just makes me wish I was there actually experiencing it. 3/10

could've died without listening.

I would rank this higher, but I'm generally not a fan of live albums. This one is a really barn burner though and I would probably listen to it again.

I mean…it’s Sam Cooke. Unless you have ice running through your veins, there’s a damn good chance this record is going to move you. The man could’ve sang the menu of a Chinese restaurant and it would have sounded amazing.

Fijne achtergrondmuziek. Summer vibes.

väldigt glatt, coola låtar, redigt bra sångröst

Not a great performance to be Frank.

One of the better live albums to be included on the list. 3.5/5

Fun album, movin and groovin all along. Really takes you back to a time and a place in history

Live albums are cheating

Amazing live album!

Not really a fan of soul but this was a very energetic live album. "I wanna know what's wrong with me..........it ain't that leukaemia".

I know the name, but nothing else. Live albums can be tricky. Especially going back in time... The recording and mixing technology have come a long way. Out of the gate, this appears to be a vocal forward mixing marred by all of the fuzziness of the era's recording technology. That said, they put their energy in the right place. This man has a hell of a voice. Chain Gang sounds a bit messy. Unsure if that is crowd noise or some disconnect between the band and the vocals, but it feels disjoint. Cupid is a catchy damned song. Twistin' The Night Away is some good, clean Rock N' Roll. Pretty much exactly what I think of when I imagine dancing in the 1950s. Bring It on Home to Me is the high point of this album for me. Sam works the crowd with a slow bluesy number that breaths naturally. This leads into Nothing Can Change This Love, which once again borrows from the blues spirit. Okay, so Sam can sing real good. I would absolutely pay to see him live and probably beg him to have my babies. That said, the album as a whole doesn't do a hell of a lot for me. It is very solid Rock N' Roll with a lot of blues influences, but nothing in particular stands out other than the power behind this man's diaphragm. I'm a hard 2 leaning 3 on this one.

Short, sweet, and to the point. This performance is a real clambake. It sounds like this show was done in a very small, intimate club which would have been a blast to be at. Love these old soul/jazzy songs and the energy and swagger that Sam Cooke possesses here. Could definitely start my day with this album every morning.

Got my feet tapping for 37 straight minutes with some great high hat work and soulful singing

Definitely an album to tap your toes to. Sad he died shortly after this. Circumstances are weird. Twistin' the Night Away is an all time classic for me. Beautiful strained voice on a lot of these songs and I love his voice. Super raw. Would love to be in the audience for this one.

This was so much fun, there’s something so fascinating and charming to me about live recordings of music from the 60s and before, great energy.

Hella fun live soul, love hearing the crowd and the banter. Cooke is great and so is his backing band.

A gig to be in the room not to listen to on a record. Classic songs, classic voice but everything a bit faster and one paced so ultimately the texture of each song is lost.

Pretty good

Great

at first i was like uhhh a live album??? we sure about this? but it's actually good. can't believe this was sealed away in the disney vault for 20 years before being released, I guess because the audience was having too much fun? wild favorites: soul twist/introduction, feel it (don't fight it), chain gang, it's all right/for sentimental reasons

Fun, lively, and good! A great listen from beginning to end.

Another live album. This one is decent. Would have been cool to have been there in person. Sam Cooke can sing. Such a sad and tragic ending to his life.

Dios mío, qué fiesta. Bring it on home to Me, qué gran performance.

Infectious. The best parts of a live album.

Honestly.... I expected better. I like Sam Cooke but this wasn't great.

- Love the energy - I don't agree with a live album being on this list but I enjoyed it - Wouldn't go back to it - 2.5

- classic voice, timeless groove - the energy is infectious

A truly soulful performance

Wowowowo

Sam!

Svengaavia rytmejä ja viihdyttävää taustamusaa työpäivään. 2,75*

Hyvä boogie. Ois ollu makeeta olla paikalla

Not usually one for live albums, but this might’ve been the best I’ve heard. The voice, the energy, the instrumentation, just pure soul.

My only complaint with this isn’t even with the album it’s with the guy who made this list and only put one Sam Cooke album on here. It’s a great album and I’m glad I listened to it cuz I didn’t know how good Sam Cooke was live but come on this list has so much bullshit on it and omits so many important albums. But yeah insane energy is on this and made me appreciate some of his classics in a new light.

By far the best live album we’ve had. The music itself give it a five but his energy and way of controling the room is MAGIC. I felt like I was there. Some beautiful songs about love and forgiveness. Def gonna come back to this one tomorrow

Felt like I was there - great album!

Amazing energy!

Dit is een energiek album. Het duurt maar 36 minuutjes en dendert door als een trein. Met een hoop van mijn favoriete Sam Cooke's. Maar zoals meestal vind ik live opnames toch altijd wat minder fijn om naar te luisteren.

Good

Wonderful!

Such a unique record!

Fun! Would listen again.

Best soul voice

It seems as though, with Live at the Harlem Square Club, we didn't really know what Sam Cooke was made out of. Or was capable of. What can be said is that record executives were right to be on edge in regards to this because this was the document of a man shedding all notions of what he was and was approaching the peak of his powers all before he was taken from us too soon. It is not hard to envision that the raw passion and sheer charisma pouring out of him (which was anathema to his carefully crafted image) was later co-opted and rendered solely in James Brown, for this is a glimpse of what Sam could have been in the eyes and ears of the listeners who were shielded from this unexpectedly explosive and revelatory performance. What a stellar live album.

charming! :)

Good energy, fun music, killer voice.

This just sounds like the best party to be at

Live swinging music, super fun. It's fun to astral project yourself back to that club with the sites and smells and sounds.

So good, it went on to a Sam Cooke compilation and I let it run.

Top 3 Songs: 1 - Twistin' The Night Away (6) 2 - Having A Party (10) 3 - Cupid (4)

Pedazo de directo. Un torbellino de soul sin descanso... Vinilo.

Soul,R&B,gospel. Bring It on Home to Me.

Really fun album. Hadn't listened to much Cooke but will definitely return to this one and others. 4.5/5

A joy

1963 rok, świetny live album nagrany w surowej wersji, w tle cały czas słychać głosy publiczności która dopełnia całości. Piękny głos z charakterystyczną chrypą. Feel it oraz Chain Gang od których zaczyna się album to dwie świetne piosenki, niesamowicie skoczne. Później następuje zwolnienie tempa i wg mnie artyście nie udaje się wrócić do tego poziomu. 8/10 jak na pierwszy oceniony album? Pewnie drugi raz już nie przesłucham.

Bardzo fajny album koncertowy, musiało się na nim świetnie bawić, ale jakoś nie sądzę żebym go chciał słuchać tak po prostu.

Some classics on here. Wouldn't necessarily seek this out, but enjoyed it.

A fun live album with some great songs.

immortal. One of the greatest male voices in soul.

Sam Cooke has such a powerful voice. He really wails on this album. And the performance is loose. His spoken intros lead right into the songs and he starts a lot of call-and-response with the audience. Great energy bottled in this recording.

I absolutely love the intro speech. "Don't fight it, let's feel it." What a great kickoff. Lots of these songs are ones from my childhood. I love Sam Cooke and I know my mom did too even though I'm sure I didn't learn his name for years after hearing him through her stereo in the basement. It's a pleasure to go back and listen to some of these in a super focused manner and not just in passing like I normally have in my adult life. Some definitely thankfully dated monologue-ing going on between some of the tracks man sheesh: "when someone says your girlfriend did something or your wife did something, don't go home and hit her" Lots of good singers in the crowd, they sound great! I love this record. It's so good and it makes me feel good. Solid 4/5. The energy is such a highlight.

not a fan of live albums, this one is ok i guess. Still prefer the songs in the studio version though :D

So good and fun

Oh, Sam Cooke, I could listen to you all day <3

I’m glad I’ve been introduced to this album and gotten more exposure to Sam Cooke. Great listen!!

This is obviously a classic recording with excellent performances of many classic and well known Sam Cooke songs. It's so baked in to the culture of what everyone knows now, it feels like it's been around forever. Tough to give this anything less than 4 stars.

Bumps in the whip.

Good live album, enjoyed the r and b. Some sections blended into one another rather than having a distinct journey 6/10

This sounded like another big band you might hear at club back in the 60s. Was ok to listen too.

I really enjoyed this. I think I might enjoy the studio versions of songs better, but he's got a great voice and good songs. I'll have to listen to more

I thought this was a pretty good album. Couple of songs I knew that are good songs.

A crackling document of one of the greatest singers of his generation in his element.

Nonstop grooves on this one. Dude must have been one hell of a showman.

Sam's energy and chemistry with both the band and crowd is amazing. He's just electric. The songs are proven standards, and Bring It on Home is a solid tent pole, but the live flow of the setlist is well done. The back 5 basically are one big medley

Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Yeah, probably the best vocalist of his time and he brings life to everything he touches, hard to believe this is a live performance of 40+ years ago Favourite song: Track 3 - Chain Gang

Gezellig maar niet wauw

Altijd genieten

This is one of the best live records I’ve ever heard. Crisp and joyful with a vocal powerhouse from a true vanguard and pacing and energy to spare. A joy to listen to.

Good but not something I need to listen to again.

The joy from Sam Cooke as he hits the stage coupled with the frenetic energy of the crowd makes listening back a real pleasure. This is where the performer and the crowd feed off of each other, the intensity builds and it's clearly a night to remember for everyone in the room. I don't feel there is anything particularly unique about this performance. Cooke does what he does and the band sit in the background supporting the man. The highlights aren't the musicianship or special interpretations of Cooke's songs. The highlight comes from the energy in the room, the rawness of the performance, how Cooke interacts with individuals and the whole of the people that are clearly having the time of their lives.

Great voice and a live album got cooler as it went on.

mysigt, borde lyssna på igen! for sentimental reasons var grym!

"Sam Cooke, ladies and gentlemen..." Charismatic voice... Very charismatic...

El sonido de la transpiración

Es muy difícil aislar este tipo de discos para poder considerarlos en sí mismos, más siendo en vivo y grabado como está grabado. Pero bueno, celebro su existencia, y me gusta su costado pop.

Intento analizarlo como si lo escuchara en el momento que surgió... y pienso en la crudeza que tiene su voz, es un chabón que canta con el corazon. El sonido te lleva a estar ahí en el público, esa mugre hermosa con olor a whisky pegada en el suelo y zapatos. Por más que se escuche bajito, quedo maravillado con el groove del batero. Me gustaron mucho los coros también. El agitando y su juego con la gente es divino (Chain Gang). Siempre me pareció loco los discos en vivo en este tipo de rankings o listas, tendría que existir otra lista paralela, pero me imagino que algo del marco y que sea en Harlem en esa época dice mucho más que un disco de estudio, además que antes se pensaban discos en vivo que no eran únicamente un compilado de temas ya grabados anteriormente.

Lindo disco, canta muy bien y le pone mucha onda en el escenario. Pero van tres estrellas porque no es mi estilo y porque se le notan mucho los años

Sam es mi cantante favorito, pero este disco es inescuchable. Como registro histórico, su valor es insoslayable; como pieza de disfrute, elijo cualquiera de sus otros 33 discos.

mr soul...sielu...tässä sitä on...harmel shake club! do the harlem shake... unbelieveable coincidence... liikaa yleisöä.. ei taputella.... huoh... istukaa hiljaa ilmeetön näon (o_o) tollattiin tolta näytätte... halua albumilla kuulla tollasta stna prkl vttu jmlta hlvtti.. miettikää ens kertaan sitten... propsit kyllä propsit annan silti... sanantoistoa mutta tosiaan pikkusen aikakauden pop-äänen ulkopuolista vähän harjumpaa karjumpaan (suomen poikaesque) laulamisen & vänkytys. bring it on home to me

This album didn't connect with me. I found the live recording to subtract from the performance of the tunes. The energy of the set didn't move me.

One reason this album is earning a 5-star rating is because it's better than each album I've given a 4-star rating so far. Another reason this album gets 5 stars is because it is awesome. Super fun, super fast, and all around just great music and a great performance.

Recording quality is low, and the mic setup is atrocious, but there is an energy that pours through this thing. Rnb and soul in the classic nightclub style.

Loose and easy-swinging, this set from 1963 captures Sam in fine, upbeat form. His playful call outs to audience and band alike show a performer in full control, and the 36 minutes captured here enjoyably fly by. My somewhat measured rating reflects the inherent difficulty with live sets - the songs aren't the familiar versions, but (in this case) none of the performances shed new light on the songs themselves. Yes, the set is engaging, and yes, the performances are good, but there's nothing particularly special here.

voice like butter, good stuff. not greatest audio quality

Eh, nothing particularly interesting to me

not bad

That first “ohhhh” he does is orgasmic I’d say being part of the audience was unforgettable, what a showman. I could hear a lot of similarities to Paulo Nutini in some songs, especially “Somebody have mercy”. Favourite album so far, loved it.

Pretty boring tbh

Good music, but I don't quite dig the live concept on this one

Fire

Good but nothing sticks long in the memory

An energetic live album with some great tunes that I’ve always enjoyed but has never quite fully resonated with me for whatever reason

Soulful, upbeat

Smoooth

A fantastic live album, you feel the vibe and wish you were there. One of the greatest losses in music history but we have what he sang with us and we shall cherish it forever.

I only listened once. It was alright but not overwhelming. I think he’s probably had better songs. 2/3 * Generous 3*

I like Sam Cooke but still not a fan of live albums.

Viittä eikä kysymystäkään... ja jos ei kysymyksiä ei myöskään selittelyjä heh

Best live album I’ve heard on the list so far. Fewer of the sort of live mishaps that generally show up (I’m looking at you, Cheap Trick at Budokan).

Truly Mr. Soul. He takes basic song chord progressions and turns them into lively uplifting songs that are really elevated and enhanced in the live setting.

Enjoyable album in which the live atmosphere was tangible, surely was a great experience seeing this live

I loved this so much. Put me in the best mood for the restart of work. Felt like a lil Rosie the riveter with her solider slay

fun voice!

Genre: Jazz Recording: Live

That ENERGY! Sam Cooke killed it.

Soul. Directo.

A fantastic live album which manages to retain the vibrant energy of what must have been a great gig! My only quibble is that it isn't long enough!

One of those great Sunday afternoon albums. Love the feel of the songs in the live setting but not a record I’d visit too often

Pretty fun! Definitely enjoyed listening to this one a few times through... Wasn't annoying at all as sometimes old music can get

I really had fun with this one & reminded me of hanging out with my grandma. Fun cleaning house music.

Good

Top 3: Chain Gang It’s All Right Bring it on Home to Me

Such a good live Album. So much power behind the music.

3.5

Some classics here

Meh

Frábær stemmari

What a voice, and the man has a ton of energy throughout the live show. Great songs too, missing Another Saturday Night though. The only negative here for me is he changes the cadence of some of the songs from the studio versions, so it's hard to get in a groove to. When this album was over, I turned on Sam Cooke's greatest hits to hear the originals.

WHAT a live album!!

Nice mood and songwriting, but I could do without Cooke reminding me to "get in the mood" or whatever every five seconds. A decent record.

Nice to hear Cooke run through some of his classic pieces. He sounded very enthusiastic, playing for the crowd. HIs interactions with them didn't seem forced, he was having a good time, which came off infectiously. Great stuff.

I didn't love the album on first listen. Didn't hate it either, but I didn't think it sounded that great. The audience sounded grainy and far off and didn't add to my listening experience. So I went and listened to a bunch of Sam Cooke studio albums to remind me what his voice really sounds like when not limited by live sound quality. Solid of course. And when I came back to this album, I appreciated him and his voice much more. I didn't even really notice the audience. Not the most electric live performance I've ever heard, but he was still pretty darn good. Could've done without the bit where he said let's get romantic for a second and then story told about going home and not hitting your woman but whispering sweet nothings instead. BB King story told something similar on his live album a couple years later. WTF?

I do love a good live album, and this is a really good live album. Sam Cooke and his band put on an entertaining show full of energy and enthusiasm. A perfect album for when you’re feeling a little down and need some positive music to bring your spirits back up.

I rarely have such strong opinions when it comes to music, but honestly, if you don't like Sam Cooke, I absolutely do not understand you. This album is an absolute joy to hear, just a good-time party. It's the legend at his best. Favorite tracks: "Having A Party", "Medley: It's All Right/For Sentimental Reasons", "Nothing Can Change This Love"

I mean, it's Sam Fucking Cooke

Energetic. Electric. Soulful. One of the best live albums I've ever heard!

muy bueno

Mr Soul has riz for days. The songs themselves are quite middle-of-the-road but I'd have loved to have been there for this recording.

I adore Sam Cooke, always have. But I can’t understand why this particular album is on the list. The live recording does the musicians in his band no justice. Sam’s voice rings through pure and true, he sounds great and like he’s having so much fun. But the music and the bar and the crowd create such a distracting racket.

3.5 - Definitely raw - Sam Cooke’s voice that normally sounds so smooth in the studio, is surprisingly gritty here. You also hear lots of audience chatter which in this case I find more annoying than ambient. I do love the improvised beginning of “Bring It On Home” and Sam’s soaring vocals.

Sam Cooke was an immensely talented soul, doo-wop, and occasional shout singer-- and an early pioneer for black music in America. You really cannot understate how fine a voice he had. And while it will make my step grandfather roll over in his grave (doo-wop and early RnB's greatest fan), I rarely have a need of Sam Cooke and this music is just not something I ever listen to. I've heard most of the songs before and I totally get why they were highly important. Bring it on Home (both versions) are the high point for me.

I challenge anyone else to cram this much excitement into less than 37 minutes. Not a huge fan of the songs, but the performance more than makes up for it. What a blast! I would've loved to be there when this was recorded, but listening to this is a very close second.

I felt like I was actually in a small, smokey club listening to Sam Cooke, and half the time he was looking right at me.

Sounds like a party.

First live album I’ve really enjoyed. 😂

RCA buried this album for 22 years! Outrage! The fact that they were reluctant to release this recording to not upset Sam’s pop image demonstrates how repressed American popular society was in the early 60s. This is a wonderful album. It’s energetic and fun. Wish I were there to twist the night away.

What a party