Live At The Harlem Square Club

I'm having a party 5

Not something I would’ve picked, but really enjoyed it.

Timeless

This is brilliant. Loved it.

Such a great album. The classic songs, amazing energy of this live performance and passionate signing from Sam Cooke! This will be in heavy rotation for years to come.

Wonderful -like sinking into a warm bath

I wish I could give this 10 stars. Sam Cooke is a legend. Listening to this live show is incredible. It's more than a concert. It's like a variety show. The call and response is so uplifting that you leave listening, feeling optimistic about the world and how it might be better. Even though you know what's coming next, he is able to infuse an air of suspense that is palpable. I also love the conversational tone of his banter with the crowd. It pulls you in as if you were an old, close friend. The standout tracks for me were "Twistin' The Night Away," "Tennessee Waltz" and "If I Had A Hammer." However, there is no song I would take off and so many gave me goosebumps, like when he croons "give" on "When I Fall In Love" and when he says "away" in "Blowing In The Wind." Such a special album.

Best live album

Hollywood's contemporary model for the music biopic means we won't get a film of Sam Cooke's life in the foreseeable future. The current template emphasises the redemptive nature of their music, of musicians who battled their demons successfully and performed exquisite music that justifies all the torment they suffered (e.g., Ray, Walk the Line, Bohemian Rhapsody). With Sam Cooke, the outstanding pioneer of soul music, his unfortunate, sordid end precludes your standard music biopic. The only way it could happen is if it ends with a triumphant performance of A Change Is Gonna Come, and just puts a small note at the end saying he was shot through the heart by a hotel manager after an apparent drunken brawl with a prostitute. Still, I neither want nor need a Sam Cooke biopic, and I am rather glad that Sam Cooke won't be contorted through the Hollywood sausage process. Anyway, this album is wonderful for the extremely simple reason that Sam Cooke performs wonderful songs in a wonderful fashion. That's it. That's enough. I had earlier reviewed James Brown's coeval Live at the Apollo, to which I gave 4 stars. I stand by that rating; the album is great fun, if perhaps not quite a masterpiece. I have no such hesitancy with this. It's pure pleasure, pure joy. That it was shelved for two decades just bewilders the modern listener. The record label deemed it to be a bit too passionate and heartfelt for its initial release. Yes, the money men behind the label have always ruined everything with their valueless stupidity. Thankfully, you're now in a position to treat yourself by giving this a blast, so you should take advantage of that right now. Now! I mean it!

fantastic !

It is worth noting that, while recorded in 1963, this album did NOT get a release until 1985. According to wikipedia, Cooke's label RCA Victor "viewed the album as too gritty and raw and possibly damaging to his pop image", which is why they didn't put it out at the time. Which is absurd, if you ask me. Sam Cooke is such a natural performer, his charisma and personality oozes out of this record. Him and his band keep the good times rolling through the entire runtime, an incredible feat. The essence of this record is that Cooke is playing so much to his audience, who plays an important part by matching Cooke's energy. This is what really makes the album so great, having the audience and Cooke playing off one another in a vibrant live show that feels so real when listening to it. It is a shame that, almost two years after this performance, Sam Cooke's life would be cut short in a frankly puzzling altercation. This album is a relic, one of Cooke in his prime doing what he did best. Incredible.

What can I say here. Sam Cooke is the greatest singer of all time. Bring It On Home to Me is the greatest song of all time.

All day long!

I knew some Sam Cooke, but this album made me a Sam Cooke FAN. This is easily one of the best live albums I have EVER heard. Sam is just as magical and energetic on a live album as he is in studio recordings. If anything, he's even more so in a live environment, where he is able to have these amazing interactions with the audience. He mixes a powerful, electrifying presence and untamed, raw vocals in with all of the quintessential Sam Cooke qualities that already made him great. It's a crime that this album was shelved for 20 years before it was finally released. In a world full of questionable live albums, this album shines as a prime example of what a live album should be. It has big energy, but feels intimate; I really felt transported to the moment. It made me wish I could have physically been there!

Best Song: For Sentimental Reasons. When the crowd starts singing along and Cooke still soars over top... To be in that room. Worst Song: Twistin' the Night Away. Just not a fan of the twist. Overall: The live setting really works well here. The recording sounds very close, as if the band is grouped tightly together in the corner of a small bar or club. And there's just something about the way you hear idle chatter in the background, the way Cooke rambles and adlibs these little bits. It feels like the audience isn't all stuck, shoulders squared to the stage, watching the music, but are letting themselves enjoy the music and each other. It feels like I can hear dancing. A surprisingly romantic album.

Wow. This was an ELECTRIC performance. I'd heard a few songs by Sam Cooke before, but I'd never given him a proper listen. This was outstanding. I love live albums and this must have been outstanding to see live. This entire album was absolutely rocking and Sam Cooke was a tour de force.

Now this is what I’m talking about - shagadelic baby

This is such a great live album that it's like why would you even bother recording studio versions? Sam Cooke is absolutely on a roll and his energy - along with the energy of the audience - is clear and infectious in every track.

very cool

Lot of Sam Cooke's popular songs were on this and live. Loved it.

I would have loved to see Sam in person. What a soulful and talented singer. Great album!

This was pretty incredible. I am realizing how good a live album can be. This was such a very alive performance, and hard to imagine that it was shelved for 20 years for being too "raw." I loved it.

This one was a great listen. I had fun and Sam Cooke's vocals were right on the mark! I have my handkerchief ready!

This was just great. Soulful and energetic. One of the best.

Raw and tight - the live versions are far superior to the studio recordings. What a voice. You feel that Sam was constrained on record.

It’s Sam Cook. It’s got to be great.

muito bom

fucking swinging

Best Sunday morning.

Songs had me up grooving

Just smooth and fun to listen to

Absolute classic

Absolute heaven. Imagine being there that night.

soulful genius, swinging and raising the roof

The king of R&B, killing it throughout the entire album. Brilliant, and perhaps the best live album I've ever heard.

Great fun, some nice classic rock and roll

'Course I Feel the Feelin

4.5/5. Very raw performance, lot of energy. Very very good.

A tour de force from one of the greatest male vocalists of all time.

Amazingly good. So much energy and spontaneous live feel but also polished and delivered with pinpoint accuracy.

One of the great live albums of all time - and yet they sat on it for 20 years before releasing it?!? Madness. What a voice, what a man, what an album. I'd have given everything to be in the audience. Bliss.

Tellement bon, un plaisir fou a ecouter cela. Ca vaut le detour et une reecoute. Un super artiste et album et d’habitude je n’aime pas top le live en audio. 5*

Great discovery. 5/5

tasty jazz

This album is fire! 🔥🔥🔥

Over a decade ago i downloaded a live version of Bring It On Home To Me from a livejournal community. I never knew the source. Today i found it!

Amazing albums from a legend

Enjoyed it. Fun performance and like the live crowd environment. That sax was great.

Really fun album. Looking forward to listening to this again.

This energetic show features heavy Chubby Checkers and Isley Brothers influences along with 1950's soul and R&B in general. Sam Cooke's delivery is incredibly charismatic. One of the great joys of this performance is just how much fun Cooke and his audience are having. It sounds like an absolute frenzy. Cooke's voice seemingly does not tire. It is truly a remarkable performance.

Rating: 10/10

Incredible album. Such a fun performance.

Gospel, soul and pop mixed together in an intimate sounding live album. Great stuff

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

Jazz. Great concert vibes.

Amazing soulful voice.

Favorite Tracks: Chain Gang Cupid Twistin' the Night Away

bastante energico

Loved it.

felt like being there! what a party!

Great. Awesome live album. Bring it on Home is the highlight for me.

Amazing album, truly. I felt the animation of the atmosphere as well as the late Sam Cooke. Emotional really

Hoo boy, I'm not the biggest fan of live albums but I'll listen cuz it's on the list. Actually ya know what, this is good so far. I'm into it. This is just the first song. This was a fun album and it perked me up while listening since I've been stressed today. That deserves a 5.

Only 8 years in the business. This album is raw and his showmanship skills are evident the way he interacts with the crowd. Love this album.

Лайв, по качеству исполнения подобный студийнику. Не будь звуков толпы - даже в студийноси бы не засомневался особо. Хотя, помнится, кто-то промышлял тем, что поверх сырых студийных записей просто звуки толпы накладывал. Но да не суть. Слышно, что Сэм Кук просто горит тем, что делает. Ни один трек не перетягивает одеяло на себя, и ни один выкинуть не хочется. А сам Сэм своими партиями будто стремится взять за яйца каждого посетителя клуба. Этот подход же из баптистских хоров пошёл, где через душевную энергетику существует стремление показать на чувственном уровне, что бох есть. И ведь негатива не вызывает, честный приём же. Когда веруны в качестве аргументации приводят существование "духовных переживаний", "особого опыта", что не доступны неверунам, хочется сказать что-то типа "Йоу, пацаны, го слэм". Сама суть искусства ведь восполнять все потребности внутреннего мира. Тут мы имеем, что мощный кусок верунской культуры откололся от своей основы и стал частью культуры общей, разумистической. Ну утратив при этом своего созидательного начала. И это очень хорошо.

Loved this, would like the LP. Really upbeat, make you smile kind of music. Yay!

One of my favorite live records ever. Sam’s got the audience in the palm of his hand.

Loved this album also listened to more of his stuff and have listened to a lot more Sam Cooke than had previously thought.

This album is so good. I put it on and it was over before I even realized it. This thing really moves!

Excellent

Fucking love Sam Cooke.

just an amazing live album. would be a 9/10 so 5 stars from me. bring it on home to me *adore*

i like live albums and this rocks, 10

A gold standard for live records. Soulful, fun, and the energy between Sam, the band, and the crowd is out of this world.

I love this album. 10

I'm soul. This is soul. This is life

Now I'm getting this whole including live albums list, this one is amazing.

Oh hell yes. Best soul singer of all time.

Brilliant exactly what you would expect

So fun, so catchy. Sam Cooke is wonderful.

Love it, would buy.

Sam Cooke LIVE! Some classic covers and sing-alongs. Not necessarily the best live album but certainly filled with some jams.

Really good recording and what's more, it's very high in energy and really captures the room very well. Sam Cooke's energy goes through the recording and makes sitting still very hard. Suprisingly good spin.

Introduced as Mr Soul, Sam Cooke takes the stage and I can picture it as the music starts, everyone swinging and clapping along. A happy and fun-lovin album that was recorded 4 months before my own Mum was even born! I can imagine my grandparents happily listening to this and really enjoyed it myself. This album is the sound of the early 60’s in Miami and that imagery is evident in every track. Good times, summer vibes, pop-py, simple major chords a plenty, slappin double bass and ultimately an easy listen in every sense. Maybe it’s my age but as much as I will forever be a hard rock chick I will happily chill out to albums like this anytime. Like watching an old movie, I love hearing the nostalgia, what other generations enjoyed and got to grow up with. Rather than growing cynical with all that’s rough in the world, albums like this allow us to disconnect and just be, “twistin’ the night away” and smile, don’t fight the feeling! Would I buy this record if I saw it in the $5 bargain bin - ohhh yeahhh

This is a fantastic album, full of energy and charisma. So much soul, so many bangers and an incredible voice.

Pretty irresistible. When I read the Allmusic’s review and they mentioned Rod Stewart biting Sam Cooke’s raspy vocal style I could stop thinking about it. The one hang up with great live albums is the knowledge that it was infinitely better in the moment, and I’m listening to but a shadow of that feeling. Sometimes that problem’s so strong it actively works against the experience. In this case I would call it a mild factor.

Ikke "man sku nok ha været der", men "jeg ville ønske jeg havde været der". Det er en høj bar for live albums!

Great vibes. It was almost like I could feel the heat from the crowd.

Tons of hits. I liked this...for a while but it started to grate on me a bit

yeah!

Enjoyable soul album, where you can tell everyone was having a good time playing. 4/5.

funky jazz i like it

A great live album. The performance makes it a great repeat listen

Incredible voice, obviously, and a swift and raw live performance. The songs are somewhat limited, basic, and repetitive but you'll know plenty of them. A sense of innocence, and you wonder what he could have gone on to concoct had he lived to hear some of the game changers who came onto the scene over the next decade or so.

Fun songs, great performances (love King Curtis's sax in particular), lively environment - exactly what you'd expect from a classic live album. But what I find really fascinating is Cooke's use of the stage to discard his inhibitions, including those imposed on him by the suits at RCA who were trying to make him more palatable for White audiences. You can hear the squareness falling away from him in real time, and it doesn't take long; by the end of "Chain Gang" he's turned a tale of suffering into something downright horny. And on "Somebody Have Mercy" he stops the proceedings to demand the operator hear him - "I want my baaaaaby," with good-natured force. I see why whatever poindexter in A&R thought they couldn't get away with releasing this.

Good good

This was really great. Great voice and really good energy. I liked this a lot. 4.5 on the 4 side.

After all these years and the advent of the internet; Sam still don't know bout biology.

sound is off but it's a live recording from the 60s. Sam is amazing though

geil

It’s impressive to sounds so gritty and raw and yet so smooth at the same time. A really fun and energetic album here

Fav: Chain Gang L: Having a Party 3.5 This one was a good listen to especially for a live album Cover: 2 they didn’t really try but maybe it does capture the album Name: 2 that’s what it is

nostalgic album

beautiful

quite enjoyable, I still don't think Live albums should be on this list, you wouldn't include a Best of Album

Did not expect to like a live album this much

408/1001 Sam Cooke - Live At Harlem Square Club Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❓ Well after the last two offerings by the algorithm, this is lightyears ahead of them both. I love Cooke's vocals and the energy of this recording, however the quality does let this down. Ordinarily, this would be a 3.5, but given the tripe I've had to deal with beforehand it's boosted to a 4.

It was great!

started slow, but really grew on me by the end. 4/5.

Wish I was there.

Enjoyed listening to this album whilst cooking, and the Harlem crowd loving him, I had to look up when he passed, and was surprised that he’d been shot, and so young……what a voice, excellent album.

Fantastic. Not the best recording, but it’s a great ride.

Great tunes, sound seemed a bit off but really enjoyed this album

That a a good one

amazing motown classic

4.6. Sam Cooke is great. Live music is my favorite way to listen. Never heard a live album. Great

Pretty fun concert.

Good but prefer the non-live versions of these songs. Sam cooke good tho

I really feel as though this album encapsulates the original purpose and intent of music and performance. Sam Cooke uses his time on stage to create energy and emotion, provide a cultural space and provide storytelling and narratives all through the delivery of music.

What an insane voice Cooke has. Just a great live recording this. I wouldn't go back to this necessarily, but I think it is actually a four star despite that.

--Feel It (Don't Fight It)...I submit --Chain Gang...Unique voice --Cupid...this is a raw as hell. pretty sure the guitar is out of tune but who cares --Medley: It's All Right/For Sentimental Reasons...it's all very samey but, again, who cares --Twistin' the Night Away...how many twist songs are there? whatever, it rocks --Somebody Have Mercy...his voice complements the saxophone so well --Bring It On Home to Me...how is his voice not tired by now? --Nothing Can Change This Love...rock and fuckin' roll --Having a Party...kind of done at this point but, hey, it's over! good stuff

Wow....Sam Cooke could put on a show. Maybe it is cut from a different couple of points, but it runs right through and damn he keeps the audience right in his hand. And the band is tight. Not big on live albums, but this caught a true performance worth catching. I found myself singing along the whole way through

Joyful stuff.

This is the sound of jiving. Never knew I'd be listening to the live album version. I've listened to some of the songs before and it's so different than the studio. Studio albums never fully captured the the soul of Sam Cooke's sound. This live album is a recording of that sound, such a legendary event. It feels like an act of communal celebration, and it reminds me the power of music to make us feel alive. The sense of shared joy that makes me want to dance, and just be grateful for the experience of experiencing life.

Gritty and raw, fun and joyful.

Cool live capture.. always fascinating hearing this type of thing

I love Sam Cooke however a little bit disappointed by recording quality of this live album. Despite that I will still give this one 4 stars, and also it's the only Sam album on the list so you know this legend deserves it

Soulful af

Chain gang, etäisesti tuttu biisi, toimii kuin tauti! En todellakaan odottanut näin älyttömän hyvää livepläjäystä. Olen erittäin positiivisesti yllättynyt. Mukavasti meni junamatka Mikkelistä kotiin tämän parissa. 4/5

No. 418/1001 Soul Twist NR Feel It 4/5 Chain Gang 4/5 Cupid 4/5 Medley 4/5 Twistin' The Night Away 4/5 Somebody Have Mercy 3/5 Bring It Home To Me 4/5 Nothing Can Change This Love 4/5 Having a Party 4/5 Average: 3,89 Great live album. Enjoyable from front to back.

I want to be at that party!

this is why live albums is the best. 4.5/5

not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue

The best of big band - iconic rhythm, lyrics and overall presentation of the music. Plus the interaction and inclusion of the audience on this album draws you in. Can’t go wrong with this LP.

One of the best live albums I have heard. Pacing is great, the sound and soul are powerful, and Sam Cooke is a national treasure.

Velmi dober🔥

Solid live early R&B album.

!!! Whereas I usually can’t cope with the overstimulating nightmare of a live album, this felt like a mfin privilege to listen to. Approached with reverence and beamed throughout, and only grimaced a few times. Saved nearly all the songs in not-live form so I can listen all the time. Having a Party has me giddy. Imagining people like “this is the best night of my life!” during/after this concert à la me always, except it would actually be warranted. Then they can’t even listen for almost 20 years while the world was robbed of the recording! Wtf? (Racism, obv) (irrelevantly or relevantly, imagining a similar fate for the Jellicle Ball and pouting) Omg and then he was killed the following year?? Fuck. (This is a very devastating journey down his wikipedia)

29/07/2026 An album with class and sophistication. Spotify listeners: 7 million.

Probably good old songs on

Nearly makes me like live albums. Everyone is having such a good time.

This challenge has made me appreciate live albums so much. There’s just so much vitality here. Loved it.

Familiar songs which here have a slightly looser, harder edge. Quite refreshing given the quite smooth, innocent tone of some of his studio recordings.

Sounds like a good party!

Lively concert with noisy audience participation which puts you in the room in 1963. Pretty damn good with all the changes you might expect between a polished studio set compared to a raucous throaty live show. I find it bizarre that somebody would award this 1 star based on the idea that a live show has imperfections because you can’t do take after take. That’s the point in my mind.

Sounds like the good times

I love just about every note Sam Cooke ever sung. In the studio. This, though, hmmm… I’m sure in person it was magnificent. But it was a bit too high energy and all over the place for me, listening to it on the way to get a cortisone injection.

I don’t normally like live albums, but this is insane. The transition between bring it on home and nothing can change this love I feel is absolutely electric. I have a feeling this concert would change my life in 1963

The main thing about this album is that there's just tons and tons of energy in the room. I was surprised at how uptempo the whole album is. Even what he refers to as the "romantic" material is performed with a driving feel and a lot of momentum. At first I thought a little more contrast in intensity would have been better, but Cooke clearly knew his audience and the crowd's response is unequivocal. He's known for his smooth, sweet voice but the slight gravel apparent here heightens the urgency he gives his performance. From listening alone, there is a direct and immediate sense of his presence in the room. This record is almost as interesting for showing Cooke as an expert entertainer as it is for the specific musical performance. The call and response sections with the audience and his overall demeanor are very preacherly. Cooke and a lot if his soul and R&B contemporaries got started with gospel music and Cooke's father was actually a preacher. This started me wondering if Cooke was the inspiration for "Son of a Preacher Man" (written for Aretha Franklin but first released as sung by Dusty Springfield). It's rumored that Cooke wrote "You Send Me" for Franklin (who would have been 15 years old when it was released). The band is cooking but they're not always captured very well. The vocals are way out front (rightly so) and the drums and guitar are always present, but the rest of the band is not consistently heard. Sometimes the horns are playing hard and punchy but at the same time they sound weak and far away. Obviously, if this was recorded today with the intent to release a live album, it would be done differently. At least they put the recording aside rather than destroying it with studio overdubs so now we have this document of the lesser-recognized side of Sam Cooke. It's impossible not to imagine what it would have been like to have been there that night. Also: King Curtis! For what it's worth, the version available on Spotify (as of summer 2026) seems to be the 2005 remix, which according to Wikipedia "generally splits the difference" between the raw 1985 mix and the more polished 2000 mix.

Brilliantly energetic live jazz sounds, and as a pianist with introductory blues training it was fantastic!

Live soul seems like it would go crazy. Instead I gotta listen to indie rockers talk about their awful relationships Highlights: "Feel It (Don't Fight It)", "Cupid", "Bring It On Home to Me"

This catches Sam Cooke at his finest, live. He was an artist whose brilliance was captured through live performances, not studio recordings.

pedrada pedrada pedrada pqp mais um que eu mataria pra poder estar ao vivo dançando sob o efeito de BARBITÚRICOS (droga de altíssimo nível pra 1963)

gravado em 1963, bizarro a qualidade disso aqui pprt ou, delicinha demais esse aqui. bem dançante e intimista, achei mto massa. deve ter sido BIZARRO estar nesse showzaço pqp

This is a fun one.

Fantastic record and a quintessential listening for any fans of this era of energetic, big band style soul/R&B.

An artist who is just as good, in the case of Sam Cooke, even better performing their music live than recorded is something special. I can see why the live version made the 1001 albums list. The opening song, "Feel It" and as instructed "Don't fight it," is a sign of a musician in touch with why people are driven to create music. I felt it throughout the whole album, and I can only imagine what it would have been like to listen to it live. What a showman! Sam has a great ability to sing about hardships and yet come across as someone who isn't defined or weighed down by those hardships. "Somebody Have Mercy" is a prime example of a longing soulful message but delivered with wonderfully jazzy R&B. Melody" is a great track with vocal playfulness and cleverness bouncing between two medleys. "Bring It on Home to Me," has the energy of a soul saving revival. So many great tracks. Even the audience can't help themselves in becoming part of this magical performance.

Outstanding voice, outstanding energy.

Like all live albums, I find Sam Cooke’s “Live At The Harlem Square Club” difficult to evaluate. While it’s very clear how much fun his concerts must have been, his biggest hits are missing - from that perspective, it was a mistake on the editor’s part to choose this particular recording. On top of that, the recording quality is anything but convincing. All in all, I’m torn between rating Sam Cooke’s life’s work (5/5, of course) and this particular album (maybe 3/5). That comes to a total of four stars, which somehow doesn’t feel like what the only Sam Cooke album on the list deserves.

Soul Twist / Introduction n/a Feel It 3.7 Chain Gang 4 Cupid 3.8 Medley: It's All Right/For Sentimental Reasons 3.6 Twistin' the Night Away 3.5 Somebody Have Mercy 3.5 Bring It On Home to Me 4 Nothing Can Change This Love 3.7 Having a Party 3.8 Score: 3.733333333

That drummer is on T-I-M-E!

Beautiful songs and an energetic live performance by the one and only Sam Cooke

I was surprised by this album. It was pretty amazing. Good vibes, but to really feel it you probably had to be there.

Sam Cooke is cool! I first heard the music from that album in the brilliant opening scene of the movie *Ali* (Will Smith) and loved it—I’ve listened to it so often for motivation while running.

Great performer

This is an amazing recording. The energy, Cooke's vocal quality, the songs, it's all so good. I'm not normally a live show recording guy, but this one's an awesome exception for me.

Heel leuk, dansen in de keuken alsof het 1963 is

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

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

this must have been an incredible concert

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

Live buff

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

love it

Nice

Rate: 8/10.

Bom álbum

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......

7.4/10

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

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.

I want to go to a party like this

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

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

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!

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

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 💘

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"

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.

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.

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

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

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 album is so good. Great live performances!

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.

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.

Fun, high energy live performance.

Good soul album

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

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?

⭐⭐⭐⭐+ 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

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

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

Excellent slice of old Americana.

very awesome!

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

7.5/10

One of the great voices of soul.

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

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

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

Funky

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.

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

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.

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

hol ymoly

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

really enjoyed this. Will listen again

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

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

sam cucina

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

very nice

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

Now THIS is a quality live album

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.

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.

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

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!

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

God it really feels like the 60s tonight

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

Good

Love it!

Pretty good, classic songs, classic vibe.

Great live album, really fun atmosphere. Shame to hear he died a bit after this.

oh yeah

Whoa! What. A. Powerful. Live. Recording.

4/8

This was a great album. Just transported me to another time and place. I knew Sam and had heard some of his work, but all together is just great. He's such a good singer and the supporting band is amazing. The live audience adds so much, and I really enjoyed it. Not the widest variety, but soulful as hell.

Live music makes the energy feel higher. It's just better than a recording. The crowd feeds into it.

Having a party indeed. Hot damn it would have been amazing to be there. What a voice! Honestly, I think I may like Cooke more than Brown.

This just makes you happy

So much positive energy, soul is almost never my music of choice but I enjoyed it. The live performance only adds up to it.

Nostalgic feeling, now I want a lemonade or a cheap cold beer... Idk what that means, but it was a fun listen.

I have twisted the night away and I loved it.

What a voice.