I really wanted to love this more than I did. There’s no question Sam Cooke’s voice is one of the all-time greats, and this live performance captures a rawer, sweatier, more impassioned side of him than the polished studio stuff he’s often known for. You can feel the energy coming off the crowd, the way they scream and shout at every little vocal run like he’s setting the place on fire. And I do like hearing that rougher version of Cooke—it’s like catching him loosen his tie and just let it rip for once. But for me, the recording itself doesn’t quite do the performance justice. It’s a bit murky, and at times the balance feels off, like the band’s buried under the noise of the room. I also found some of the song choices a little safe. I get that this was Cooke reaching back to his gospel and R&B roots, but I guess I was hoping for a setlist that surprised me more. It’s a really solid live record and has its moments