Sam Cooke and the Soul stirrers make some of the most beautiful music available. If there is a better group in the history of music I cannot think of them. The songs earn five stars. However his recordings for Specialty have been marred by excessive bonus tracks. When will Specialty release an album of master tracks? This is sad to have to listen to several versions of the same song before going on again. Bonus tracks are the worst aspect of the CD era.

To the voice that kills all others from Elvis to Sinatra.
In my honest opinion Sam Cookes gospel recordings leave his secular work far far behind. From the first to last track this is a lesson in musical history.
Thr last 3 songs taken from the shrine concert live will dispel any doubts that Sam Cooke was only a smooth singer . Man he proves here that he can shout better than Otis, Al Green, or Wilson Pickett.
At last he seems to be getting the dues he so rightly deserves , but don't take my word for it . Buy this set and listen without prejudice. If you are not truly amazed then you shouldn't be listening to Sam Cooke , maybe Liberace would be more your cup of tea

This is a fascinating document. Presented in chronological order (aside from a few live songs tacked on to the end), it charts the growth not just of Sam Cooke as an artist, but the slow birth of secularized soul from 50's gospel roots. All the recordings sound great, and credit most be given to the folks at Specialty for preserving the masters - outtakes included - with such obvious care. The earliest material here, from 1951, would probably be considered "pop gospel" for the time. It flows nicely, isn't much for histrionics and makes for smooth listening. If you didn't know better, it might take you a song or two before it becomes obvious that it's Sam Cooke singing, and not just some guy who maybe sounds like him. But by 1953, Cooke's vocal style is impossible to mistake; he dominates the songs, and when Paul Foster pops up now and then, the contrast between his "blacker" gospel voice and Cooke's velvet tone is amazing - and it's not that Foster isn't amazing too, by the way. By the third disc, the line between gospel and pop has become utterly blurred - a song like "I'll Come Running Back To You" has as good a claim to be the first "soul" song as any. It's obviously gospel-influenced, and the lyrics are ambiguous enough that you could make a claim for it being a gospel tune, but . . . something, somehow has changed. Aside from historical importance, it's a riveting song and possibly Cooke's single best performance.

The attractions of this box are its completeness, great sound and nice packaging. If you're inclined to by anything of Cooke's beyond a simple greatest hits collection, I'd urge you to buy this package - there isn't really one single-disc distillation of this material that covers all the bases covered here, so by the time you buy the two or three that might, you'd pay about as much as you would for this.

There are only a few rare packages that convey so beautifully an important aspect of important American music, whether it's the Nuggets box or the Anthology Of American Folk Music. This is clearly in the league; any music fan with expansive tastes should own it.

This is not quite the complete Sam Cooke at Specialty -- it does not include the tantalising bonus track on the "2 Sides" album.

Having said that, it does include the best work done by the greatest soul/gospel singer bar none. So I am not complaining.

(The producer of these recordings and founder of Specialty Records, Mr Art Rupe, is never given enough credit for his wonderful work. And for keeping the tapes from the original sessions for future generations to enjoy. Respect due.)

Being a fan of Sam Cooke is easly to explain-just listen to the music. And the correct music to listen to is his gospel work. The polish had not been applied and what one is left with is pure emotion tempered with an understanding that something greater lies ahead. Sam Cooke allowed gospel to cross the line to mass appeal thus creating the "storm" of r & b and other race music that was to come. When you look at the history, the split from Jubilee occurs with the introduction of Sam Coook to the Soul Stirrers.

Each generation must build upon what they have been given. In each genre we find this occuring and gospel is no exception. Each disc in this series contains music that shows how the idiom can be changed when the right individual comes along at the right time. Sam Cook is that individual with the right voice. Although I enjoy each voice on these disc's, and believe me I have listened to hear what each man sings, Sam's voice is the one that brings it all together.

I was once told that Sam, as a young boy, would sing to rocks, his audience. This is the type effort that you hear in his songs. Only by dedicating oneself to your craft can you hope to achieve greatness. I don't mean to belittle the remainder of the Soul Stirrers 'cause no other group was able to do for the background what they were able to do. Don't believe me, listen to the groups around at that time. They were still doing Jubilee songs until the 'Stirrers' started the dual lead vocals, stacked harmonies in the background and instrumentation.

Let me encourage you to go directly to the live recordings on disc 3 and witness the raw emotion of Sam Cooke and Paul Foster at the '55 Shrine Concert. If you are able to remove all your preconceived notions about Sam Cooke as well as the commercial r & b recordings you have heard, you will hear why gospel had to change to accommodate his natural ability. Close your eyes and hear all, and I mean all, of the artists who would follow in Sam's footsteps--black and white(Rod Steward, Marvin Gaye, Mick Jagger, etc.). I just hope to one day find some material with Sam and the Highway QC's. Until then...