Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The word legend is tossed around too casually today. It seems to be applied in liberal doses even to one-hit wonders. Sam Cooke, and his body of exquisite work, is one performer truly deserving of the title legend. This CD, "Sam Cooke, Portrait of a Legend" does a fine job in putting the best of Sam in one CD. There are quite a few Sam Cooke compilations out there but I think this one does as good a job as any in actually providing a portrait that extends beyond just his better known hits. Cooke, the son of a preacher and like many of his fellow 'soul-singers' started his career in Gospel. Cooke's gospel roots are evident in many of his great hits, including Bring it on Home to Me and A Change is Gonna Come. However, most Cooke compilations do not contain selections of his time as a lead singer with the Soul Stirrers, a Gospel Group. This CD starts off with Touch the Hem of His Garment. This beautiful Gospel tune, written by Cooke, provides a nice entry point for the popular hits that follow. Those hits, including You Send Me, Only Sixteen, Shake, Twistin the Night Away, and Another Saturday Night are included in the compilation. Although his upbeat tunes remain fresh and enjoyable, I think Cooke is at his best when he reaches down and evokes the more somber notes, when the blues begin to mix in with his soul. His Sad Mood remains a beautifully moving piece. Equally compelling is Bring it on Home to Me. His long time friend Lou Rawls provides the harmony and the call and refrain of the song evoke Cooke's earlier gospel work. Equally stunning is Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come. Written in 1964 at the height of the civil rights movement and deeply influenced by Dylan's Blowin in the Wind, A Change if Gonna Come always leaves me feeling that this song represents the innermost part of Cooke's soul. The CD ends with a return to Cooke's gospel roots, Jesus Gave Me Water. This closing track, by returning us to Sam's gospel beginnings is a fitting conclusion to the CD. The CD contains excellent liner notes prepared by peter Guralnick. Guralnick is writing a biography of Cooke and these notes reflect his deep interest in the man and his music. This is an excellent compilation. It does Cooke proud.