Live At The Harlem Square Club

Not bad some good timeless songs not really my genre so struggled at times. Not a fan of a live album unless its is very well done someone in a smokey club. I appreciate the effort though and wouldnt turn off but would go to it either

Heel leuk, dansen in de keuken alsof het 1963 is

Great album - it is raw but you can really hear Sam come alive here.

I usually like this sort of music, however I just don’t think Sam Cooke’s voice is for me. I felt like the recording of this album made it 10x worse.

Great album, but why this one versus other great Sam Cooke albums?

it's fine but live albums are never going to be my thing.

A live album. Uh oh. It feels like I'm stood outside the bar listening through an open window. I absolutely hate the patronising crowd interaction. I hate it at any gig I go to. Reminds me of bad school memories. I think I need an actual studio recording to appreciate this.

Being at this concert must have been a transcendent experience. A live show is about the music, yes, but also the interaction with the crowd. Sam Cooke was such a great singer and performer. The music leaves you feeling energized and wanting more. And there's something to be said for music that makes you feel good.

Some bands and singers just aren’t live performers, but Sam Cooke was. This was everything I’d look for at a live show. Captivating and truly amazing.

Neblogas live albumas, muzika daug soul turi, bet kinda repetitive ir nemano fucked up smegenim, jeigu nebūčiau mentally ill labiau patiktu😅

This feels like you are in the middle of the audience dancing and sweating away

this must have been an incredible concert

Quite fun. Sounds like a good time.

Meh, qualidade do som é ruim demais, basicamente um resumo dos maiores hits dele, escutar os remasters isoladamente dentro de seus respectivos álbums é melhor. Mas todas as músicas são lindas e o setlist merece mais reconhecimento.

His energy is infectious. So happy and he's a great singer, but his interjections and add to the atmosphere. The band is bright and swingy. Too much crowd noise at times and some songs bleed into each other.

Another great old live album. The energy this guy had performing sounds awesome. It gives you a great idea why Sam Cooke is such a legendary name in music

Making a time machine and getting to this show!!

Che energia, quanta vita. Mi fa pensare a quante cose meravigliose ci sono ancora da vedere in questa vita. Lunga vita all'Harlem Square Club, ovunque sia finito ora.

Absolutely charming Never heard of Sam Cooke before this but I really like him now His fun and relentless energy drives the album beautifully

Without Sam Cooke there would be no "Hardest working man in music"

Not a bad album at all. Sound quality is obviously of its time, but the music stands the test of time and is worth a listen.

Bueno el soul y muy prendida la banda

Great LP, Great artist. Never skip a Same Cooke record.

Well this made my bad day feel a little bit better

I absolutely loved it! To me, this was a truly vibrant performance. I learned about the album’s history—it’s amazing that no one had heard it for a full 20 years! An amazing performer—it’s like I’m the main character in some romantic comedy. 10 out of 10

it was okay, not my favorite but it was jazz so i enjoy it

Live buff

First time I'm writing a review for one of this. This was absolutely incredible. Listening to it made me want to actually get up and dance.

Really wearing out that I-VI chord progression. And, I feel like a parent of a Boomer complaining at all the references to babies, telephones, and twisting. But still, 3 stars to you Sam. Really brought the energy and was a fun listen to a more gritty version of the man. In 63 I would have been nearby hearing the awesome hard bop jazz instead, but if I stumbled into this place with the teeny boppers I would have had a good time. Also respect for teasing the crowd with You Send Me and then, not actually sending it.

This joins Otis Redding - At Monterrey and Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense as performances I wish I witnessed in person.

Fun listen

Sam has such an energetic stage presence! He oozes soul and charisma with both rock music and ballads. I’d love to have watched his performance here (3.5-4).

Such a fun upbeat album- move a mile a minute and keeps a smile on my face. My favorite is the vocals in cupid

oh, to have been there

Great singer, boring songs though. Not a fan of live albums fie the 1001 but the energy on this was excellent.

love it

Don't like live albums

Great to listen to, smooth. Not so much my thing but easy to have on.

Nice

Sound quality is not great on this live recording - feels like I'm missing the magic As I'm not much of of a Sam Cooke fan, so this one is falling flat for me

Rate: 8/10.

Bom álbum

pretty good! i rarely listen to this genre. favourite song: twistin' the night away

Enregistré en 1963, mais sorti uniquement en 1985 ? Les maisons de disques ne savent pas ce qui est bon ! D'après Wikipédia, ils avaient peur que ça aille contre son image pop ou je ne sais quelle connerie, alors que ça lui aurait surtout donné une image de showman monstrueux. Quelle tristesse qu'il soit mort peu après, il n'aura jamais vu à quel point ce live a été super bien reçu. Il faut dire que c'est un exemple de tout ce qui rend un live intéressant à écouter. Beaucoup de gens se plaignent dans les commentaires des albums live qu'on retrouve dans la liste et j'ai tendance à penser aussi que c'est un peu hors-sujet, mais pour le coup, la présence de cet album est difficile à contester. D'abord, grande force d'un album live, le public est en feu, mais c'est en grande partie parce que Sam Cooke nous fait un show impressionnant. Il communique en permanence avec le public, ne laisse pas la hype redescendre un seul instant et quand il chante, c'est avec une énergie communicative. Être dans la salle à ce moment-là, ça devait être une sacrée expérience ! Et ce qui est fort, c'est que les chansons n'ont pas l'air si folles que ça et je pense que sur un album studio, j'aurais trouvé ça sympathique, sans accrocher plus que ça (j'ai souvent dit ici que la soul ne me parlait pas et que je me n'y connaissais pas assez). Mais là, l'énergie communicative et l'atmosphère énorme qui plane tout au long du concert les transforme en excellent moments. L'album ne dure qu'à peine plus d'une demi-heure (un temps ridiculement court, pour un live) et on en redemande. Vraiment une écoute super agréable et je comprends pourquoi ce live est souvent considéré comme l'un des meilleurs jamais enregistrés, quoi qu'en ait pensé le label de Sam Cooke à l'époque.

Loved it!! Cupid one of my faves

I'm not normally a big fan of live albums, but this is class Being at that show must have been brilliant

A lovely treasure of a recording from the year before Cook's death, that was only released 22 years later. It reveals a much rawer soul vocal than his heart throb pop persona material and shows rather clear evidence of where Rod Stewart got much of his vocal style, mannerisms and laughing ad libs from (often admitted in interviews by Rod). It's pretty well recorded for the time and is quite short, but then again so were most gigs back then. Very enjoyable and it makes you remember that he is one of the great what if figures - had he lived history may have been very different, see also Buddy Holly......

Great voice and kind of looks like the comedian Josh Johnson to me. A nice soul record.

516/1089 - It's fine. Energetic. I listened ahead in the list so I know there's still good stuff to generate but it's been a ton of filler these past few weeks.

I love the live listening aspect, and Sam be laying it down on the mic

Sam Cooke is in decent form on this live record which includes some of his best-known songs ("Cupid", "Chain Gang", "Twistin' The Night Away"), but aside from those tracks, the remainder of this album is mostly run-of-the-mill R&B. Also, the intent of this record seems to be to capture the onstage energy of a Cooke concert but the band is loose to point of being ragged and the audio quality is no better than that of a bootleg, both of which dilute the impact of his performance.

nice

Pretty good album. Wouldn't listen to it religiously, though.

I think Sam Cooke has some great hits but ive never been a fan off live albums.

More or less perfect. The medley was the only slight misstep. Great songs, great vocals, great live vibe. Loved it.

Wow. Sam Cooke knows how to work a crowd and have a good time. It sounded like one hell of a night.

Fantastic album. Surprisingly fast. I wonder if they edited out banter between songs. Sounds like maybe they did not.

7.4/10

Fun album and they could certainly play their instruments and sing well. For me, the songs seemed to blend into each other and there were no quiet songs. They were all on the same level.

A really enjoyable live album. Bags of energy and some great songs.

Beautiful voice

Me pareció normal no es destacado pero tampoco es malo, quizá en su tiempo fue exitazo, pero ahora luce deslucido, quizá en estudio apreciaríamos mejor al interprete

Absolute legend

Yet another iconic voice, but also yet another live best of selection. Ultimately, I think that for his voice alone, he deserves to be on the list but are there no albums of his that made the grade…?

mid, not my cup of tea lol

One of the all time best singers!

Energetic performance

I liked the vibe and the the talking during songs. I gues live alboms have its thing. However i think it was much cooler back then.

Anything but square

I want to go to a party like this

Absolutely loved this 5/5 I now want to listen to so much more

Great voice, soulful and full of flavour - enjoyed this “live” album - listening in Warsaw.

This album was cool in that I can't say I had heard Sam Cooke live before. The sound was very raw. You could almost feel the heat and the sweat from the club where he was playing. I was super impressed. The intensity of the performance was something that you don't really hear in the cleaner album versions. I enjoyed this listen

Swing fucks

Good

Great from start to finish!!

One of the strengths of certain styles of music like soul is that they are able to convey what is happening in the moment. A live performance allows for the spontaneity that really makes this music pop. Whether it's Cooke's ad libs or the audience responses, this recording captures this genre at its best. After listening to this I went back and listened to studio versions of some of these songs. They were good... but lacked the spark that this live performance was able to bring out.

A passionate and powerful live album with a great atmosphere. The live element shows a rawer side to Cooke then we hear in his singles and all for the better, in my opinion. A wonderful talent and figure lost too soon. 1 listen Favorite Track: Having a Party

Expectation: -> Who knew there was a live Sam Cooke recording? Optimistic about this. After listening: -> Wish I was there for this. Chain Gang live in '63 by the original writer/singer…wow. Followed by Cupid…oh my. Twistin' The Night Away?!? And on and on. A little difficult to judge this against a studio album. Still, impressed! Track ranking: Cupid Chain Twistin Medley Feel It Mercy Nothing Bring It Party (Intro)

loved this all the way through, almost a 5

One of the greatest voices of all time man

Spectacular. Not sure there are many that can match the ability to write a catchy tune, sing it, and the stage presence.

Pre Listen: Sam Cooke is unknown to me, but I'll let him cook. I see the saxophone on the album cover, and I know I love jazz, so I have slightly higher expectations than usual. Notable Tracks: Chain Gang - Oh, I know this one. I've heard better iterations of it, specifically from the studio versions. Classic song on every oldies radio station thought. Bring It on Home to Me - Not a big fan of this one, least favorite song on the album. I've never really liked sing-talking type songs, and this one goes on for too long. Post Listen: Ehhh, wasn't quite what I was expecting. This album has sort of solidified how I feel about "Live" albums. They aren't great. Live music is excellent to hear when you're actually there. You can record it on your phone, and listen back to it, but it'll never sound right. Recording devices just don't capture the atmosphere, the energy, the acoustics of the room, the visual spectacle, any of it. The audience's hoots and hollers are just annoying. Plus live-recording devices are almost always inferior to the level of sound quality a studio recording gives you. After listening I visited some of Sam Cooke's studio work, and man his voice is so different in this recording from his prior stuff. It sounds a lot worse, strained and drained. I'm not a fan of his little quips between lyrics. That being said, I enjoy the overall sound for most of the songs, there's nothing bad about his actual singing and his bands instrumentals. Just a very forgettable album, that would've been a lot better if it wasn't live. 3/5

Fine. Really great vocalist here and a charming live album but I’m just not that into it :/

Classic masteripiece

Det är bra musik, men blir inte något man lyssnar på mer än en gång

It's always fun to hear an album where you didn't expect to know any song and then you actually know a few

Normally I’m not keen on live albums but I really enjoyed this. Great music, an amazing voice from the singer, and a top atmosphere. It must have been great to be there.

Sam Cooke is great. I have a prejudice against live albums and I can’t understand why there are so many on this list. 3.5/5.

Initially was surprised, but I am enjoying it so far. I like the jazz... It's jazz right ? OH OKAY R&B 😭😭😭 mbbbb. I like it!

Love Sam Cooke, not a huge live album fan

One aof the few live albums that I don't mind, Sam Cooke has a great voice

i dont like that one too much, but its smth new for me

Introduction - na Feel it (don't fight it) - 3 Chain gang - 5 Cupid - 4 Medley: it's alright / for sentimental reasons - 4 Twistin' the night away - 5 Somebody have mercy - 3 Bring it on home to me - 5 Nothing can change this love - 3 Having a party - 4

I liked this, but it’s a shame it’s a live album.

It’s all right goes smoothly into the cover of nat king Cole for sentimental reasons High energy version of twistin for what you can feel through the music and vocals is pure rhythm and blues soul throughout the live album

Favorites are Chain Gang and Cupid 💘

Fit the vibe of summer having the windows down in da car 🚘

I'm not huge on live albums, but I think there's something special with Cooke's voice and energy here that warrants its place on this list. So undeniably electric--"Feel It (Don't Fight It") got a creeping smile out of me by the chorus. The gravelly grit of Cooke's voice (most prevalent on songs like "Somebody Have Mercy" or "Bring It On Home To Me") was amplified in its power by the joyous crowd; had I been present, I'm sure I'd feel the same catharsis everyone in the room must've felt. Cooke is clearly a talented vocalist, and I appreciate how he lets loose to make for an unforgettable display of human soul. I do hesitate on ranking it any higher than a 4, though. I don't see myself coming back to this particular record very often, and many of the songs on an individual level weren't suited to my particular tastes. Still, I can't deny its incandescence: this is a light 4 for me. STAND-OUT SONG: "It's All Right / (I Love You)" HONORABLE MENTIONS: "Feel It (Don't Fight It)", "Cupid”, "Chain Gang", "Nothing Can Change This Love"

MILSK (Man I Love Sam Cooke). I have never heard his live albums but I’ve always loved his studio work, this makes me want to be sweaty in a club.

Not for me

Pros: Full of character, soulful performances, great crowd work, tight band. Cons: repetitive, not enough unpredictability, free-form, experimentation for me.

I liked this a lot. I was going to give it a 3 just because it is not a style I would usually listen to, but on reflection I realized that the live with the crowd interaction amd the energy really bumps it up. I loved this

Live jazz albums are a bit of a miss for me. I definitely appreciate jazz but more as a background music when I'm studying or cooking or something of the sort, and live performances are kind've hard to fade into. I can appreciate the artistry and soul that comes out of them, but I'm not jazz pilled enough to really feel them. I would love to listen to live jazz but recorded live jazz is not my thing. Ok hating aside I do actually really like this. This is alive man. Mr. Cooke I was unfamiliar with your game. Ok maybe I've been listening to the wrong live jazz because this is electric. Favourite: Cupid Least favourite: Soul Twist/Introduction

I do not like live albums, but this one was VERY enjoyable. Very charismatic performance from Cooke, and an even more enjoyable crowd.

Sepia prom

I was really enjoying this, oddly the more he spoke the more I felt I was listening to Chris Rock. They sound identical. That said, still a cracking album, great pace and a singing voice that it's among the best ever.

it really is too bad it sounds like crap

It would have been a good gig. But all these songs were tighter, cooler, sharper in their studio forms. The record company were right not to release it in 1962. It’s a historical curio for those deeply immersed in his work. Interesting but I’d hate to think this was the only Sam Cooke someone heard before they died.

Good peacefull car ride album. Not my every day music, nevertheless 3/5.

THATS WHATS UP Absolutely electric live record, and some truly HOT STUFF

I've known Sam Cooke for most of my life. I remember listening to the oldies on the radio has I'd accompany mom on errands and she'd take me to school. I was well familiar with "Twistin The Night Away," "Chain Gang," "You Send Me," and "Wonderful World." But I, however, was not prepared for this. His live shows (as evidenced by this one) are a completely different animal. They inject a vitality and energy that I had no idea existed. What I once perceived catchy bubble-gum pop of the early 1960's was re-imagined as a blistering assault of gospel and soul. He's a supreme frontman, engaging with the crowd and reaching some incredible crescendo's on songs like "Twistin" and "Bring it On Home To Me." I can only imagine what it would've been like to experience this in person, and the best I can do is listen to it in 2026 over and over again.

Great material here but the delivery is rushed and the production/fidelity is iffy. That said, there is no denying how great of a singer Sam was. Gone too soon.

Overall good, liked the first few songs the most

No era malo solo no es mi tipo de musica

So, the first question I asked myself was why was a live album that was recorded in January of 1963 not released until June of 1985? Well, the answer is that Cooke's record label was trying to turn him into a pop star at the time, and they felt that the recording was too gritty and raw and would damage his pop image. The grittiness and rawness is exactly what makes this a great album. Too many live albums are over-produced and don't capture the essence of the performance. This one captures it perfectly - flaws and all, as well as audience participation. Some great classic songs on this on too. This made me think of a situation where you aren't 100% into the artist, but go to the live show anyway, and end up having the time of your life. I would have loved to have been at this show. It sounds like a total party!

Fantastic example of how great live albums can be

To much the same

It seems that we are with him, great vibes!!

I like soul and all, but I didn't care for this much.

I don't know how he sung like that without losing his voice. Vocals are raw and gritty unlike his super polished singles. 4/5.

Very very good live album

It's a good live album, but I'm not really a fan of live albums.

This rules, I love soul. Would have loved to see this show.

Lovely guy

This album is so good. Great live performances!

Live albums aren't really my bag, but this sounds like a brilliant gig. Loads of energy. I probably won't revisit it but happy to have had the chance to listen to it. Hoping another Sam Cooke album comes up in this list.

Un classique indispensable.

As a lifelong Cooke fan, can't believe I had never heard this one before! Raw power to the max, performing in the best possible place and audience, at the peak of his powers. This is what I dreamed of Cooke sounding like on his regular recordings and more. The Man and His Music is a true classic comp to have in every collection, but this is where you crank things up. His party songs sound like revolutionary anthems here. It's the only Sam Cooke album on the list, so it gets an automatic 5 anyways.

Back to back live soul albums, and this one is quite a bit worse, just did not hit for me at all.

Happy to find out Sam Cooke live puts in the grit and energy I always find a bit lacking in hearing some of his songs recorded - the songs here sound so much punchier and impassioned, and there’s this great energy build between Cooke and this club audience throughout which really works for me. I think putting it across from the James Brown live release of the same time day-after-day helps it as well, because the looseness and the passion comes across really well for me rather than the perfect stage show, especially with this particular soul sound (which now I can begin to hear the influence on reggae particularly). The sound production could probably be better in an ideal world, but it’s a live album from 1963, I’ll take what I can get on that.

lovely album. have it on vinyl, reminds me of jane and luke in the yellow house

perfect

An excellent live performance. Sam Cooke is a charismatic performer and this concert is amazing. The absolute highlight is the raucous closing number "Having A Party".

Round up from like, 3.6. The style of song gets a little old by the end…but for most of the time this is a rocking, energetic, boisterous, soulful, time. It’s fun to imagine being there. Must-listen #351.

Considering how he died, it's a ironic he introduced it's alright by saying don't go home and hit your woman. If he'd only listened to his own advice. Other than that little hiccup. Great album. Great performance.

my favorite song was “twistin’ the night away” it’s very fun! this is probably the best soul album i’ve listened to!

Fine recording but I learned more about his dubious death rather than his music. I will say, the live version of Chain Gang is vastly superior to the studio version.

This was so much! Would’ve loved to have been there. He is so charming and energetic. Great album.

Fun, high energy live performance.

Good soul album

Smooth and easy, every song a delight.

This is what I need in life, man can sing and the songs pull you in immediately

This ruled, but I still think live albums take away more than they add.

Amazing

Yeah that's soul

What a voice. So soulful. The band was great too. Amazing. These songs are still played by live bands all over the world. Clearly an important recording.

When was the last time you heard a performer, band, & crowd have as good time as this?

Ta algo asi, no tan emocionante.

Sam Cooke is a legend and this album very much demonstrates it. Although his life was short (or perhaps average for a musician), he definitely shows off all his chops from this album. Upbeat and meant to make you swing and it would be hard to find someone that couldn't jive to this. Lots of bravado for the early 60s and great, great energy. Well done

Great energy and vibe! What a voice too.

⭐⭐⭐⭐+ Ett live album jag inte kände till sedan tidigare men en positiv överaskning. Sam Cooke har verkligen en strålande röst. Albumet har fantastisk närvaro och publikinteraktion samt skickliga musiker. Känns som låtmaterilet lyfter av livehanteringen vilket jag sällan tycker händer. Medryckande livealbum utan dåliga spår får en stark 4a av mig. Bäst är Chain Gang, Twistin' the night away, Bring it home to me, Having a party.

Raw, sexy energy

Sounds like a high school prom in the 60s. Good voice though. 2.5/5.0

So much power in his voice. Every song is a banger. Such a talent.

I have heard almost all of Sam Cooke's music before, but this album was pure magic. The crowd was amazing. I felt jealous of not being there. I could almost imagine the whole evening. Sam's vocals where clear yet free, you can tell he was having a lot of fun.

przynajmi3j nje usnelam ale serio ktos tego slucha? moglo byc gorzej tbh czekam na koniec troche przeskipowalam i tak wszytko brzmialo tak samo

Pleasant, but again is getting marked down because I'm not sure live albums belong.

Album #98, Sam Cooke, One Night Stand! Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963, ⭐⭐⭐ You get an absolute vocal masterclass from Sam Cooke on this album. He’s just got an incredible voice and unbelievable charisma as a performer. Even through the recording you can hear the showmanship and stage presence. He really keeps the audience engaged the whole way through. It’s a three-star album all day for me because while it’s very enjoyable, it’s not really the kind of record that leaves me with loads to ponder afterwards. It’s more of a party record, a good time album. But that’s not necessarily a criticism either. Sometimes you just need an album with a great vibe, and this absolutely has that. It’s energetic, loose and really fun to listen to. It just isn’t terribly interesting beyond that for me personally. Still though, really enjoyed it, and on to the next one.

I’m afraid I have too many 5 star albums, and I don’t want to give this 5, but it’s a great fucking live record.

The man asks people to have a party and he doesn't stop. The seamless transitions from tune to tune, old classics and originals, give the sense that this soul will keep going on its own momentum in perpetuity.

Que experiencia tan bonita, tan buen rollo que desprende. Te sientes dentro de ese club, que género tan superior es el soul, no es solo soul diría que también tiene un poco de rock suave que te hace bailar y sonreír al escucharlo. Es un plus que sea in live por eso, te hace sumergirte todavía mas en la experiencia. Que enriquecedora la cultura negra. Aún así no se si lo volvería a escuchar, puede que en un futuro pero veo complicado que en mi día a día me ponga alguna canción del Live. Por eso le doy un 8,5

it’s very apparent how much influence this album and Sam Cooke in general, has had on music specifically, omitting his profound impact on black music for now. The song chain gang for example is clearly the inspiration or even blueprint for bb kings’ ‘Worry Worry Worry’. I’m just being quite self indulgent and enjoying those sorts of dots being joined in my head, my relationship to and understand of music as a facet of culture is beginning to materialise. We come a long way from J hus and Giggs

5/10 Fun listen. Very Groovy

High energy feel good music. If it doesn’t get you on your feet, please see a doctor

insane live performance, probably one of the best i’ve heard, i’d just love to have been around at this time to see stuff like this live

A solid album beginning to end. Great songs, great energy, great flow.

Weird inclusion. Very meh live album. Sam Cooke has so many better albums.

Excellent slice of old Americana.

very awesome!

Yeah

8/10 чисто под сигаретку и стакан 40 градусного нектара лучшие: Cupid/Nothing Can Change This Love

7.5/10

Sam Cooke shoots out of a cannon to get this concert going. It's hard to explain but this album is kind of mesmerizing. He is so in charge of this crowd and his music that he effortlessly weaves from hit to hit to hit. Truly one of the best voices ever

not my typical jam. But i get it

One of the best live albums I've ever heard.

Loved the energy and his voice is so good

Welcome back 60's! Sure, this album is great. The songs are all very enjoyable, with a very electrifying performance that adds a lot to them. And listening to it really feels like being at the concert, there is a sound so enchanting that transports you to the place, to the time. At least in a fantasy. So, well, I'm not very impressed (mainly because this kind of music was very popular at that time, so sure I have listened to other similar albums), but I'm very pleased. And for me that's also very important in music, the feelings, the emotions it can transmit.

One of the great voices of soul.

I don't tend to like live albums. He's fun and clearly having fun.

boring

Très content d’écouter un album de Sam Cooke, dont j’avais jamais entendu parler il y a de ça quelques semaines. Son histoire laisse à penser ce qui aurait pu être s’il n’avait pas été assassiné L’écoute est très agréable, l’ambiance live est parfaite, l’enregistrement est très clair et court aussi. Le genre « soul » est incarné par le chanteur et on souhaite être dans la salle

Se escucha mal el audio

High-octane and electrifying performance

Very interesting document, which presents a completely different picture of the Sam Cooke we thought we knew. The only live album released in his lifetime, “ Sam Cooke Live at the Copa”, shows him doing mostly lame pop tunes in front of a lily white dinner club audience. This album, recorded in 1963 and first released in 1985 (held back by his record company, because they were worried it would not appeal to his white crossover audience) shows a very different Sam Cooke in front of a majority black Harlem club audience. This comes across gritty and sweaty, with often shouted vocals and a slightly raspy voice, with more than a hint of the church (he was of course, a great gospel singer in the Soul Stirrers before achieving secular fame/success). When I bought this album in the 1980s, I remember being somewhat blown away by the idea that he had to do such different shows for his black versus white audiences (there are literally only two songs in common between the two live albums). I wonder how many other black performers ran into this?

An icon at his best

o chato do simonal

that was lovely

Started off OK with a pleasant rock and roll swing to it, but the vocals and strange production choices quickly began to grate. My Mum's a fan of a couple of Sam Cooke's hits, so there were a few tracks which rang a bell for me, although if I ever wanted to hear them again I'd seek out the studio versions.

Funky

An instant favorite! The energy of this record swept me off my feet, and at the end I found myself getting upset that I hadn’t been alive in January 1963 to go to that Miami nightclub and party. I truly felt whatever Sam Cooke wanted me to feel for those 39 minutes. Also, his band is incredible, and Sam’s gospel origins shine through in his ability to grab your heart and shake it. If I had to choose favorites, it would probably be Feel It and Sentimental Reasons (he really brings the pathos with that one in particular)

Absolutely amazing! One of the best live LP I've ever heard - pure pleasure, cool vibe, nice sound

I so wish I was there… that room is crazy. One of my favorite things Sam Cooke does live is when he gives the fellas a piece of advice it’s just always so funny to me. The pace of this is electric and Cooke’s energy is so high! I love the people who just start SCREAMING when he drops that little You Send Me line.

Pretty decent.

It was classy and full of life. However, I don't care for live recordings very much and the audio quality/background noise starts to wear on me, so I wasn't able to finish it.

RATING: 9/10 HIGHLIGHT: Twistin’ the Night Away LOWLIGHT: Nothing Can Change This Love

is oke

I don't usually enjoy live albums, but this one possessed a kind of energy that's extremely difficult to capture. It was like I was at the Harlem Square Club hearing Sam Cooke sing in person, instead of listening to a recording of a live performance from 63 years ago.

Great album. Amazing energy. Sam Cooke always a safe bet.

Never heard Sam Cooke live before, just a perfect series of songs

Incredible

classic album by one of the greats, but not personally my style

Love Sam Cooke. I feel like he has a firm grasp on this particular version of the genre. While this album had lots of fun and unique energy being recorder in Harlem, I actually didn't feel like the album as a whole fully showcased his talents and production skills.

Exciting performance of some upbeat and fun R&B songs, but honestly it was starting to sound like the same song over and over again by the end. I do appreciate the music and the performance, but I don't think I'll be seeking this one out again.

I don’t normally like live albums but this was really good!!!

hol ymoly

Wasn't a big fan of this live album

Classic soul. I really had forgotten how many great songs this man was responsible for. And to think, this is contemporary with the Beatles!

Funky sax off rip, only got halfway through but have to revisit

Live album of old school RnB and soul. Love Chain Gang already, live version is fun too, with audience getting into it too! Sam Cooke can really rock it, not the vision I had of him beforehand! And his voice is very strong live. It does become standard 12 bar blues after a point, first few tracks definitely hit hardest. Best track - Chain Gang, Cupid Going with Chain Gang - even though I know the song, the live version is electric with the crowd 3 stars in the end, despite some great tracks

really enjoyed this. Will listen again

I generally am a fan of live albums, and this one was fun and did a great job capturing the energy of a live show. That said, the tracks themselves were a bit too, I don’t know, “fifties” for me? Maybe I’m just not a big “do the twist” guy? Sam Cooke is awesome, but this album falls just short of that.

Another beautiful time capsule. Close your eyes and you are attending a live performance.

Not my thing at all!!... managed a few tracks, but something about the rhythm just got on my nerves 🤣 maybe because I was driving and it wasn't doing it for me, dunno - had to turn it off anyway.

Muy buen álbum, movido, genial, me hubiera encantado nacer en esa época.

I fucking love Sam cooke

I like listening to the oldie occasionally. This was a fun album!

What a great album! Listened to it twice in a row and I could have let it played a 3rd time!

As good as it gets. My only criticism is that it’s too short. I could listen to this for hours.

sam cucina

It was enjoyable, some gems just didn't like the fact its a live album

very nice

Härlig skiva! Glad och positiv som man blir pigg av. Passar bra till fredags matlagning

Really excellent

Fun little live set with some great classics. Very good way to soend 30 minutes.

By my estimation, a better representation of Sam Cooke's music than any studio-recorded output. The equal exchange of energy between performer and crowd, the call-and-response. Cooke is at his most comfortable.

While I do somewhat struggle to connect with early soul recordings, I am willing to accept that as my problem, not Sam Cooke's. Although, this is definitely a good time. This has many of the draws of other live albums by similarly talented performers from this time. Sam Cooke pretty much has the whole venue eating out of the palm of his hand at all times, and the energy he gives off, and that the audience returns does create a sort of invisible, palpable bond that this recording captures. That being said, I don't have a particularly strong connection to the music here, although it is certainly powerful and joyful, *and* well performed. I appreciate this most as a document of an event, and it serves this purpose incredibly well.

Now THIS is a quality live album

It was fine.

Super fun album.

En absoult fest af et album! Jeg er vild med Sam Cooke, men har aldrig hørt denne perle. Det er en oplevelse at prøve at høre ham i en noget mere afslappet setting, end hans typisk meget rene format. En skam at albummet blev tilbageholdt i over 20 år af denne årsag. Hans interaktion med publikum og musikken virker naturligt for ham, hvilket måske kan tilskrives hans baggrund i gospel-kirken som præstesøn og talentfuld kirkesanger. Jeg foretrækker stadig studie-album med bedre lyd, men kommer helt sikkert til at høre denne igen. Standouts: Chain Gang: Fed udgave af sangen og nice interaktion med publikum til sidst. It's All Right / For Sentimental Reasons: lækker intro til dette medley. Hen mod enden er der også en fed sektion med publikum som kor. Nothing Can Change This Love: Smuk og rå kærlighedserklæring.

not a rock listener, but this was bareable.

A rollicking listen . Really enjoyed it

I have listened to Sam Cooke’s Albums before and although I enjoyed them I haven’t exactly bonded. This however included more hits and being a live album gave more insight to the talent that was Sam Cooke.

The raw side of Sam. Non-stop, high-energy entertainment. Shame on RCA for sitting on this gem for over two decades. And shame on Mr. Dimery for not giving us the iconic studio version of him for compare and contrast.

This was so much fun! Really made me want to host a BBQ party, crank open some beers, and put this record on high. What a complete vibe.

im the big snik i snuck in and stole ur acc ahahhahaha

I don’t like live albums, but this was fun.

Nah

Eh

Soul, R&B.

RCA recorded this in 1963 and shelved it for over twenty years, deciding it was too raw and too far outside the crossover image they’d built around Sam Cooke. That decision tells you everything about what’s on this record and nothing good about the people who made it. What they were hiding was one of the great live soul performances ever captured on tape. This is not the smooth, polished Sam Cooke of the radio hits. This is Cooke unleashed in front of a Miami audience that’s completely with him, preaching and sweating and giving everything he has to a room that’s giving it right back. “Chain Gang” in this context becomes something the studio version only gestures toward — the call and response unlocking a communal energy that makes you feel the social pressure of the room even sixty years removed. “Bring It On Home to Me” carries the same rawness and power you hear in the videos of Otis Redding tearing through “Try a Little Tenderness” with Booker T and the MGs on the Stax/Volt European tour. That’s not a coincidence — Cooke is the bridge between the gospel-trained polish of the crooner tradition and the physically urgent soul that Otis and Sam and Dave would carry forward. Is it perfect? No. But what music is? The fives on this list have never required perfection — they’ve required something irreplaceable and alive. This record has both in abundance. Sitting at a desk working through JIRA tickets while this plays is a genuine injustice. The highest compliment a live record can receive is wishing you’d been in the room. Consider it paid.

This is such a fun record to listen to. Like Little Richard or Louis Prima, a few 50s/60s acts that I previously had ranked as 5-star records, this album has such a great energy throughout. But it would be unfair to stop there with this album (or either of the other ones from Richard or Prima), as the songs themselves are almost all great. Chain Gang, Cupid, It's All Right, Twistin' The Night Away, Bring It On Home to Me, and Having a Party are all legitimately tremendous songs. That he wrote all of them and then delivers them so well in front of a live audience gives you just a taste of how amazing Sam Cooke truly was. It's awful that the world was deprived of such a talent so young. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to check out what early 60s R&B / Rock could sound like when it is done really, really well. 5-stars.

Exuberant. Sounds like summer. I like it but I don't love it

Wish I could have been in the audience.

It was just more jazz

Outstanding. Like I’m at the concert.

Twist music often feels a bit same-y to me, and this album as well could not escape this. Sam Cooke has an undeniable charm, but it doesn't feel as unique to me. I don't think i will choose this album for repeat listerning, but i wouldn't mind if someone else played it.

Me gusta el soul

Geluisterd op de Eurostar van Brussel naar Parijs. Ik word er dankbaar en vrolijk van :-) It‘s Allright deed me denken aan Spinvis die zong dat alles in orde komt.

Électrisant, ambiance de live « sauvage » dans le bon sens

I loved Sam Cooke, but I never heard him being as soulful as he was on this album. He and this band were digging deep. Wow!

Soul blues toujours un peu pareil, une ambiance qui doit être très cool quand t'es sur place mais sinon un peu long et redondant

J’aime pas trop les albums live mais on peut imaginer que ça bougeait bien dans le public C’est pas mal !

Sympa mais sans plus, pas très fan des albums live

Me gusto mucho buen concierto de soul

Idk how else to describe this other than it improved my mood

Really enjoyable, love that the list exposes me to stuff like this. RYM: Y (#569) Save a song: N

Chill blues

God it really feels like the 60s tonight

didnt like it

Lekkurt album, gott live set

This list has shown me that I love these intimate live albums so much! 5/5

A legend at work. Sometimes the song extensions with crowd work drag a bit, but probably not if you were there. Anyway the real soul is right here.

This is one of those live albums that left me with an insane of FOMO. Sam Cooke has such a magnetic personality, something I would have assumed from his music, honestly. His energy is infectious; this seemed like such a fun show! I loved how much fun he was having fun with the songs, the best example being the hit "Nothing Can Change This Love". The horns were funky, the band was so tight, and the vocals were fantastic. Favorite tracks: Feel It Cupid Nothing Can Change this Love

Baby, It's All Right 1001 Albums Generator 272 (4/17/2026) What a wonderful, fun soul album. Sam Cooke has this undeniable stage presence and I feel like I'm there with him. He really knew how to work a crowd, and the music itself is so much fun. A couple of slower moments in the tracklist hold it back from perfection, but I'd happily return to this. 4/5. Favs: Feel It (Don't Fight It) Chain Gang Bring It On Home To Me Least Fav: Somebody Have Mercy

Behageligt live-album. God lyd. Stor 3'er.

It feels sacrilegious to give an OG rock n roll artist a bad review. It just feels silly on paper, like giving a foundational rock album a bad score undermines the legitimacy of these reviews. But honestly this album, while it has its moments, it’s just alittle dry. And on top of that, I truly and sincerely don’t believe that live albums belong on this list. How do u even go about comparing a studio album to a live album? They are just so fundamentally different, and even the parameters you would use to grade them are completely different. I think if you are looking for an old school rock n roll album that doesn’t offer anything else, this is your album. But again, live albums should never be on this list…

The best album

I love Sam Cooke. Fantastic album of course. Such a smooth voice and love the instrumentation. Immediately puts me in a better mood. I personally have always liked his Live at the Copa album better. Highly recommend his Try a Little Tenderness medley in that album.

So fun

Genuinely perfect. So much ambience added to an already stellar lineup and artist

One thing I've learned from this challenge, I just really really really don't care for live albums. This is fine

The energy is electrifying from the opening seconds: the band is tight but feral, the audience is right on top of him, and Cooke’s voice climbs, strains and testifies in a way the studio never allowed. Songs like “Twistin’ the Night Away” and “Having a Party” aren’t just performed, they’re lived, while the call-and-response with the crowd turns the whole album into a communal release. Few live records — rock or otherwise — sound this alive, this immediate, this joyful. A proper 'Friday Night' album. An absolute belter.

What a voice. Second listen to this this year and it’s a very enjoyable listen

3 sterne

O soul do Sam Cooke é realmente um misto com o gospel e nesse disco ao vivo percebe-se que a festa e a experiência de igreja negra, apesar de polares, parecem pertencer à mesma linguagem.

Fantabulous! Every single is pumped!

Good album. The sound really felt like you were in the room from the grittiness from the mic to the audience noises. Great band especially good drummer who stayed super solid the whole time. Obviously Cooke is just an amazing singer with great energy. Only negative comments is maybe there wasn’t as much variation as I would have liked.

Legend

Really enjoyed, what a lovely man. Great transitions between songs, seems like it was an excellent show. Started out so-so but then 'Cupid' is a huge banger, and I pretty much loved every song after that too. Def gonna be listening to some more Sam Cooke <3

All tunes, all energy. This is what soul music really sounds like. Compare this with the studio output. That is pop music, watered-down by white people for white people. I don't want to hear the studio take of 'Chain Gang' again - literally too embarrassed. 'Live at the Harlem Square Club's we see a generational artist in full flow and if that's not worthy of five stars, I don't know what is anymore.

mid 4 i go to a lot of gigs and i always lament the frigidness of crowds. whats the point of standing still at a gig? there was a time when people went out to dance every weekend. this albums captures when those same people go to see their favourite singer - the result is clearly a better night out then ive had at the last 100 gigs ive been to put together. once people did the twist. now most cant even muster a hand in the air or a sing along. imagine if every weekend i could boogie the night away with my sweet women to the soulful sounds of sam cooke. sadly my partner doesn't have the moves so its a lost cause... why havent i given this a 5? i dont think the songs are quite up to scratch. my all time fav otis redding has live albums that equal this in energy with much better songs. otis's live albums have been neglected from this list sadly. its cool to here sams band is the same as otiss, drums, bass, electric guitar and horns. its a great striped back sound and i love hearing the electric guitar like this. its a pain to tour with a piano or organ and the electric piano had only just been invented.

Used well in the Michael Mann movie “Ali”

4 1/2 maybe?

Really good soul album, really good live album.

Mmm not my type

Such a soulful voice and a great showman

Very uplifting and energetic music. It really lifts your spirits and gives you a sense of calm.

Rock and roll bien rock and roll de origen. Buen cantante, gran saco, not my cup of tea.

Good album, but didn't standout.

Live and energetic… love it! Wish I could be a fly the wall during this show. 4.4

Wow, what a party! Sam has an amazing voice, is obviously a great performer, and is having a blast. What more could I ask? These songs rock. 8/10 Most Excellent

sam cooke is tough but not my cup of tea to be honest.

Good

It’s been a while since an album on here has made me read up a lot on the artist. Unfortunately (as per usual for many older artists) after learning all the good things he was involved with, I was greeted by details of horrendous treatment of women, which does sour this. That aside, I only started reading because of how good this album was and I did really have fun with it. It sounds like the crowd really enjoyed it too. Surprised it was kept in the vaults for being too “rough” or whatever; I didn’t get that impression at all.

Fantastic live album!

I really wanted to like this but I didn’t find it as enjoyable as the Sarah Vaughan album we got recently. Still like Sam Cooke tho.

Love it!

Big fan of the energy he brings.