Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964

SINCE PURCHASEING PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND, I HAVE LISTENED TO IT OVER AND OVER. SAM COOKE TRULY HAD A BRILLIANT MIND. THE SONGS ON THIS CD TOOK ME BACK TO THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH IN CHARLOTTE,NC. EACH SONG WILL HOLD SOME CHERISHED MEMORY FOR THE LISTENER AND YOU WILL LISTEN TO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN. THIS WAS THE BEST PURCHASE I HAVE EVER MADE AND I AM VERY HAPPY I MADE IT. PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND IS A WONDERFUL CD AND ONE I WILL HOLD DEAR TO MY HEART FOREVER.

This CD compilation gives a fine overview of the career of Sam Cooke, from his early recordings as a Gospel singer through his breakthrough as a pop-artist whose style and song-writing gradually changed from pure-pop till what we now recognize as the beginning of soul-music.

The CD clearly documents that Cooke was a unique singer and a very gifted song-writer. Most of his big hits from the late 1950's are included; all of which are fine in their own rights, but for me it's the second half of the collection that shows the real artist Sam Cooke. Without being strictly chronological many of his greatest late recordings are to be found in the second half. Here the man "who invented soul" and the inspirator of later artists like Otis Redding can be heard.

The last album to be released in Cooke's own lifetime "Ain't That Good News" ( probably his finest ) is very well-represented and tracks like "Shake", released posthume, give a hint of what great things Cooke might have lived to create, had things not turned out so meaninglessly tragic a December night 1964.

Fine informative booklet.

CD arrived within 4 days in very good condition. Brand new I must add just as advertised. I would definitely order from this vendor again. Good work Amazon.

This particular compilation album not only displays Cooke's virtuosity, but gives a sense of his versatility. From the political lyrics and message of "A Change is Gonna Come," to the soothing "Bring it on Home to Me," the selection spans a range of emotions, and musical settings.

The last track on the album is a short clip of Sam Cooke defining the word 'Soul' through music in a few bars of humming. The narrator informs us that Sam Cooke never grows old: a fact crystallized in that last track, but surely undeniable after having listened to the entire album. Music is most persuasive when it is unadulterated speech from the human spirit. Sam Cooke's music will have the unbeliever whistling to "Jesus Gave me Water," and the most timid dancers ready to twist the night away.

These songs are the essentials. The contribution made to soul music by Cooke is summed up on this album.

This is a CD worthy of any collection, the audio quality is quite good and Sam's body of work is a part of American music history. For me it is a walk down memory lane, but I know fans of his in their teens ands twenties. This is a must have and for most will be all you need to understand his gift to us. As always Amazon came thru with a competitive price and great service, buy and enjoy.