Sam Cooke
We were in the car the other day and I flipped on the radio. It was on a goofy local channel that plays an odd hodgepodge of music–oldies, big band, 70’s pop and so on. I flip it on periodically and call out a song beforehand to see if I can guess what might be on at that moment. This started years ago when I was humming a tune and decided to turn on the radio and there was the same song playing. So I keep trying to match that coincidence. I get close sometimes but haven’t hit again.
Anyway, on this day Sam Cooke‘s Twisting the Night Away came on. It’s one of those wakeup moments when something you haven’t thought of for a long time reappears . At tha point you realize how wonderful it was and wonder how it had slid from your attention over the years. That’s how I felt after hearing this old Sam Cooke song.
I always loved his voice and the smooth coolness of his music. You Send Me. Bring It on Home to Me. Chain Gang. Another Saturday Night. Wonderful World and more. Growing up, we had a copy of his version of Frankie and Johnnie that I played over and over, trying to catch all the little nuances in his voice as the song’s tempo and emotion built. It remains my favorite version of that song.
But over the years, many of songs are well remembered but his presence has faded, probably due to fact of his early death at age 33 in 1964 in a bizarre shooting in an L.A. motel. One of his greatest songs, A Change is Gonna Come, was released after his death and what other great music may have emerged from him will always be merely but a question.
Here’s a great piece of film of him from the Jerry Lewis Show in 1963. I love the opening of the show with the emcee annoucing the guests. Senor Wences (if you’re old enough, you’ll laugh at the mere mention of the name), the Marquis Chimps and a special appearance by Cassius Clay. Now, that is a variety show of the sort you will not see today. But Sam Cooke was terrific, as he always was and will always be.
Redtree Times 