The Jukebox Rebel

Sam’s 6th album for RCA and it seems, at last, like he has found a style which can appease his own desire to croon with the songbook, yet remain palatable to the likes of me, the more adventurous left field music lover. The album highlight, “Nothing Can Change My Love For You”, is a beautiful strings-laden ballad which has grip, passion and miles of style. It’s the only self–penned song on the album which begs the question; why only the one? The bluesy, orchestral take of “Chains Of Love” (Joe Turner, 1951) is another classy highlight. For the album closer, Sam puts a fresh spin on “These Foolish Things” (Leslie Hutchinson, 1936). Helpfully, Hugo and Luigi are on the back cover to help us with our understanding of soul: “You know it when you hear it. It’s abandoning the formalities of music and going to the truth as the performer feels it. If he wants to hold a note longer, he holds it; if he wants to wave on it, he waves on it; if he feels a beat, they put it in whether it is written in the music or not. “Soul” is just the natural emotional flow of the singer. That’s the way this album was done and that’s why we call it MR. SOUL.” The candle lights remain on the corner tables, but this time Hugo and Luigi are spot on. This guy’s got soul. With every passing album, I’m compelled to linger longer and listen closer…

The Jukebox Rebel
29–Jul–2008

A1	[02:25] Sam Cooke - I Wish You Love (Léo Chauliac, Charles Trenet, Albert A. Beach) Crooner / Cabaret
A2	[02:28] Sam Cooke - Willow Weep For Me (Ann Ronell) Soul Ballad
A3	[02:52] Sam Cooke - Chains Of Love (Harry Van Walls, Ahmet Ertegun) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A4	[03:26] Sam Cooke - Smoke Rings (Gene Gifford, Ned Washington) Soul Ballad
A5	[03:30] Sam Cooke - All The Way (Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn) Soul Ballad
A6	[02:48] Sam Cooke - Send Me Some Lovin’ (Leo Price, John Marascalco) Soul Ballad
B1	[02:48] Sam Cooke - Cry Me A River (Arthur Hamilton) Soul Ballad
B2	[03:18] Sam Cooke - Driftin’ Blues (Johnny Moore, Charles Brown, Edward Williams) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B3	[02:37] Sam Cooke - (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons (Deek Watson, William Best) Pop Ballad
B4	[02:39] Sam Cooke - Nothing Can Change This Love I Have For You (Samuel Cook) Soul Ballad
B5	[02:37] Sam Cooke - Little Girl (Madeline Hyde, Francis Henry) Soul Ballad
B6	[04:01] Sam Cooke - These Foolish Things (Jack Strachey, Harry Link, Holt Marvell) Soul Ballad

ratings by TJR