Sam Cooke
Live at the Harlem Square Club (1963)

THE REVIEW

Almost all the music of the last century has its roots in blues and black music in general. What is the difference between soul and blues? Blues originated from the songs of the slaves working in the cotton fields, a warm music, the most spontaneous expression of our spiritual side, of our soul. Soul, which means "soul," is the union of rhythm and blues with the religious songs sung in church, gospel. The boundary between the two musical genres is very thin, intangible. Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke expressed themselves in both soul and blues.

Sam Cooke began singing gospel at a very young age, already in the early 50s. His artistic evolution later led him to engage in composition, producing energetic, instantly captivating music. In studio recordings, Cooke was controlled, sober. His true nature as a passionate, instinctive artist was unleashed in live performances, where he combined his usual expressive language with a sex appeal that he could only produce on stage. Cooke was one of the most sensual and captivating performers at the same time.

"Live at the Harlem Square Club" is a thrilling cocktail of soul and rhythm and blues, where one can savor not only the quality of the songs. The spoken interludes, the intense interpretation, evoke among the audience, exaltation... emotions, passion. Accompanied by a team of top-notch musicians, from saxophonist King Curtis to guitarist Clifton White, Cooke performs fiery pieces, giving them a passionate, irresistible definition. "Feel It", "Chain Gang", "Twistin' The Night Away" "Cupid" "Having A Party" are my favorites. Released more than twenty years after the recording of the concert, it best expresses the essence of the artist "On Stage"