Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers -

The Complete Specialty Recordings

Posted: December 15th, 2008

Date: October 15, 2002 (release)
Release: Specialty #4437
Cover Art: view / download
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For nearly six years, Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers put religion in the hearts of all within earshot of their sanctified sounds. Theirs was a music that lightened your load and lifted your soul to heaven, spiriting away all the everyday hurts and hatreds long enough to make you honestly feel that God is love. Under the influence of Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, even an agnostic sinner like me is able to see the light.

Formed in 1935, the Soul Stirrers played a big part in reshaping gospel music and taking it mainstream. They were among the first gospel groups to employ a rhythmic and bluesy sound—a sound that would not only come to define gospel, but also help lay the foundation for doo-wop, R&B, rock and soul. Had the legendary Sam Cooke never joined the quintet, the Soul Stirrers would still rightfully deserve their place of honor in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

But it was clearly with Cooke that the Soul Stirrers were able to reach their most powerful emotional heights. When they brought in the 19-year old Cooke to replace venerable singer R.H. Harris in 1950, they were taking a gamble on a relative unknown. One of eight sons of a Baptist preacher, the highly qualified Cooke soon put to rest any doubts about the decision. Cooke was not only blessed with the miracle of religious faith, but also with one of the greatest soul voices in history. The Soul Stirrers scored a major hit with their first record featuring Cooke on lead vocals, “Jesus Gave Me Water.” With his irresistible blend of movie-star looks and preacher’s son intensity, Cooke developed a massive following as the gospel circuit’s first golden-voiced sex symbol. From 1951 – 1957, Cooke led the group to national stardom with hit after hit, inspiring a generation of singers in the process.

The Complete Specialty Recordings of Sam Cooke collects all of the sides Sam Cooke recorded during his tenure with the Soul Stirrers, including numerous alternate takes, live songs, and a handful of solo cuts documenting his first foray into pop. A far cry from Cooke’s secular bubble-gum hits, this 3-CD, 84-song collection bursts with all the raw passion of a divinely inspired singer finding his own voice.

Disc 1 finds Cooke at his unpolished best, energetically belting out the gospel with surprising grit and fire. By Disc 2, Cooke is clearly on his way towards developing his trademark style, singing on such songs as “All Right Now” in his uniquely throbbing and sensual voice. By Disc 3, Cooke has fully come into his own—both as an ambitious songwriter (“Touch The Hem of His Garmet”) and as an incomparably versatile singer.

By the end of his run with the Soul Stirrers, it was clear that Cooke had huge crossover potential. Tempted to try his luck, Cooke left the group in 1957, finding enormous success in the profane world of pop music. But while he may have turned his back on a career in gospel, he always stayed true to his musical roots. From the sweet innocence of his first pop hit, “You Send Me,” to the courageous politics of his last, “A Change Is Gonna Come” Cooke never lost the gospel spirit embodied in his recordings with the Soul Stirrers. Among Cooke’s best, these sides capture the pure heart of soul music.