The Rhythm and the Blues

by Sam Cooke

Overview

From the title, you might infer that this 20-track compilation -- taken from early-'60s sessions, and principally composed of LP-only cuts -- aims to showcase Cooke's most soulful side. That's true to some degree, but this isn't his funkiest stuff; for that, look to Live at the Harlem Square Club 1963, or even his most up-tempo singles. Most of this is, in fact, suave pop/R&B, the emphasis sometimes falling on the pop, with lightly swinging, jazzy arrangements, and some orchestration. Cooke didn't write most of the material here, and while "Little Red Rooster" (a hit single) represents the earthiest extreme that the CD touches upon, there are also quite a few songs that were originally performed by jazz/popsters from the '20s, '30s, and '40s. Certainly these are decent offerings; Cooke's a great singer and interpreter, and the arrangements are smooth without being overdone. But it's neither Cooke at his very best (the hits compilation Man and His Music is much better), or his grittiest (that honor belongs to Harlem Square). It does restore much of his better obscure material to wide availability, and is recommended to those who have the above-mentioned albums and want more Cooke, although the 1963 LP Night Beat (reissued on CD in 1995) is a bluesier and better one to check out first.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/24/1995
Label:	Sbme Special Mkts.
UPC:	0886976961824
catalogNumber:	769618
Rank:	5100

Tracks

1. Get Yourself Another Fool
2. Driftin' Blues
3. Fool's Paradise
4. Smoke Rings
5. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
6. Please Don't Drive Me Away
7. Nothing Can Change This Love
8. But Not For Me
9. Don't Get Around Much Any More
10. Trouble In Mind
11. Little Girl Blue
12. I Lost Everything
13. Chains of Love
14. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
15. Since I Met You Baby
16. Cry Me a River
17. Trouble Blues
18. Little Red Rooster
19. Out In the Cold Again
20. One More Time

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sam Cooke   Primary Artist