Black America has been singing Sam Cooke for more than half a century. The volume of great songs that Sam wrote in a secular career spanning barely seven years is matched by the quality of those songs – many of which are fundamental to the evolution of soul music in the early-mid 60s.
It’s therefore logical and right that Sam should appear in Ace’s occasional “Black America Sings…” series, as he does this month in a package issued close to the 50th anniversary of his death in December 1964.
“Bring It On Home” features some of Sam’s best-known songs, many performed by artists whose careers Sam helped to get underway, including Johnnie Taylor, the Simms Twins, & Bobby Womack. Also featured are a number of singers who owe a vocal debt to Sam, including Brenton Wood, R.B. Greaves, Johnny Nash, Otis Redding and Louis Williams of The Ovations.
A suitably fitting tribute to a true giant of popular music and one whose influence pervades to this day.