Cooke-ing On Gas!
Going to a live gig is undoubtedly one of life's pleasures. Whether it is a sweaty and raw hip hop set in a packed basement, a mellow smokey jazz club or a downright unclean festival, experiencing music live is one of my favorite things and taps into something of a primal bent. Plus you always remember those gigs that transcend the run of the mill, go-through-the-motions-and-pick-my-check-up-while-humping-groupie-number-57-thanks-very-much and just kill it.
However, a good live album is much rarer. Maybe this is because you can't gauge an atmosphere on disc, see the venue, feel the heat, or just because, you know, you had to be there. Some, for various reasons, do just crackle though. Johnny Cash Live at Folsom Prison is an obvious choice, or James Brown's first Live at the Apollo show. But for me, an outstanding example is "One Night Stand! Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club". Recorded in January 1963 in Miami's Harlem Square club, this really is a marvel - 38 minutes of raw grit, soul and downright funk from a man many would normally associate and disregard as a smooth crooner. But this is different, recorded as a set on the Chitlin' Circuit, in front of a black audience, and backed by the masterly King Curtis on sax, Curtis's band, and Cooke regular's guitarist Clif White and drummer Albert "June" Gardner, this set just kills it. Sam Cooke is such an influential figure in soul music and this recording gives credence to the claim of him being the King of Soul. You can also trace back to Cooke the styles of Otis, Aretha, Smokey - you name it. Have a listen and see what you think. I challenge you to not get caught twistin' the night away.
However, a good live album is much rarer. Maybe this is because you can't gauge an atmosphere on disc, see the venue, feel the heat, or just because, you know, you had to be there. Some, for various reasons, do just crackle though. Johnny Cash Live at Folsom Prison is an obvious choice, or James Brown's first Live at the Apollo show. But for me, an outstanding example is "One Night Stand! Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club". Recorded in January 1963 in Miami's Harlem Square club, this really is a marvel - 38 minutes of raw grit, soul and downright funk from a man many would normally associate and disregard as a smooth crooner. But this is different, recorded as a set on the Chitlin' Circuit, in front of a black audience, and backed by the masterly King Curtis on sax, Curtis's band, and Cooke regular's guitarist Clif White and drummer Albert "June" Gardner, this set just kills it. Sam Cooke is such an influential figure in soul music and this recording gives credence to the claim of him being the King of Soul. You can also trace back to Cooke the styles of Otis, Aretha, Smokey - you name it. Have a listen and see what you think. I challenge you to not get caught twistin' the night away.
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