csberry

I was familiar with Sam Cooke's singles such as "Chain Gang," "Cupid," and "Twistin' the Night Away." But I was not prepared for hearing this live performance. What I felt were pretty good songs, are turned into rousing secular gospel songs in concert. Sam's passion when singing comes through clearly on this album. He sings to the audience and coaches them into singing. He comments about the songs and advises the crowd during and between songs. The man exerts such energy that you've got to imagine he is coated with a thick layer of sweat after just a couple of songs. This album completely transformed how I will hear his songs from now on. I will have to avoid PBS on the weekends so this mindset isn't altered by the elderly R&B and soul artists' performances.

Songs I knew I liked: As I mentioned at the top, I knew the studio version of many of these songs beforehand.

Songs I didn't know but now like: Nearly everything.

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: I don't know that I'll add this to my collection, but I may check it out from the library or find it online to listen to on occasion.