Live At The Harlem Square Club

This album is so good. I put it on and it was over before I even realized it. This thing really moves!

Excellent

Fucking love Sam Cooke.

just an amazing live album. would be a 9/10 so 5 stars from me. bring it on home to me *adore*

i like live albums and this rocks, 10

A gold standard for live records. Soulful, fun, and the energy between Sam, the band, and the crowd is out of this world.

I love this album. 10

I'm soul. This is soul. This is life

Now I'm getting this whole including live albums list, this one is amazing.

Oh hell yes. Best soul singer of all time.

Brilliant exactly what you would expect

So fun, so catchy. Sam Cooke is wonderful.

Love it, would buy.

The main thing about this album is that there's just tons and tons of energy in the room. I was surprised at how uptempo the whole album is. Even what he refers to as the "romantic" material is performed with a driving feel and a lot of momentum. At first I thought a little more contrast in intensity would have been better, but Cooke clearly knew his audience and the crowd's response is unequivocal. He's known for his smooth, sweet voice but the slight gravel apparent here heightens the urgency he gives his performance. From listening alone, there is a direct and immediate sense of his presence in the room. This record is almost as interesting for showing Cooke as an expert entertainer as it is for the specific musical performance. The call and response sections with the audience and his overall demeanor are very preacherly. Cooke and a lot if his soul and R&B contemporaries got started with gospel music and Cooke's father was actually a preacher. This started me wondering if Cooke was the inspiration for "Son of a Preacher Man" (written for Aretha Franklin but first released as sung by Dusty Springfield). It's rumored that Cooke wrote "You Send Me" for Franklin (who would have been 15 years old when it was released). The band is cooking but they're not always captured very well. The vocals are way out front (rightly so) and the drums and guitar are always present, but the rest of the band is not consistently heard. Sometimes the horns are playing hard and punchy but at the same time they sound weak and far away. Obviously, if this was recorded today with the intent to release a live album, it would be done differently. At least they put the recording aside rather than destroying it with studio overdubs so now we have this document of the lesser-recognized side of Sam Cooke. It's impossible not to imagine what it would have been like to have been there that night. Also: King Curtis! For what it's worth, the version available on Spotify (as of summer 2026) seems to be the 2005 remix, which according to Wikipedia "generally splits the difference" between the raw 1985 mix and the more polished 2000 mix.

Brilliantly energetic live jazz sounds, and as a pianist with introductory blues training it was fantastic!

Live soul seems like it would go crazy. Instead I gotta listen to indie rockers talk about their awful relationships Highlights: "Feel It (Don't Fight It)", "Cupid", "Bring It On Home to Me"

This catches Sam Cooke at his finest, live. He was an artist whose brilliance was captured through live performances, not studio recordings.

pedrada pedrada pedrada pqp mais um que eu mataria pra poder estar ao vivo dançando sob o efeito de BARBITÚRICOS (droga de altíssimo nível pra 1963)

gravado em 1963, bizarro a qualidade disso aqui pprt ou, delicinha demais esse aqui. bem dançante e intimista, achei mto massa. deve ter sido BIZARRO estar nesse showzaço pqp

This is a fun one.

Fantastic record and a quintessential listening for any fans of this era of energetic, big band style soul/R&B.

An artist who is just as good, in the case of Sam Cooke, even better performing their music live than recorded is something special. I can see why the live version made the 1001 albums list. The opening song, "Feel It" and as instructed "Don't fight it," is a sign of a musician in touch with why people are driven to create music. I felt it throughout the whole album, and I can only imagine what it would have been like to listen to it live. What a showman! Sam has a great ability to sing about hardships and yet come across as someone who isn't defined or weighed down by those hardships. "Somebody Have Mercy" is a prime example of a longing soulful message but delivered with wonderfully jazzy R&B. Melody" is a great track with vocal playfulness and cleverness bouncing between two medleys. "Bring It on Home to Me," has the energy of a soul saving revival. So many great tracks. Even the audience can't help themselves in becoming part of this magical performance.

Outstanding voice, outstanding energy.

Like all live albums, I find Sam Cooke’s “Live At The Harlem Square Club” difficult to evaluate. While it’s very clear how much fun his concerts must have been, his biggest hits are missing - from that perspective, it was a mistake on the editor’s part to choose this particular recording. On top of that, the recording quality is anything but convincing. All in all, I’m torn between rating Sam Cooke’s life’s work (5/5, of course) and this particular album (maybe 3/5). That comes to a total of four stars, which somehow doesn’t feel like what the only Sam Cooke album on the list deserves.

Soul Twist / Introduction n/a Feel It 3.7 Chain Gang 4 Cupid 3.8 Medley: It's All Right/For Sentimental Reasons 3.6 Twistin' the Night Away 3.5 Somebody Have Mercy 3.5 Bring It On Home to Me 4 Nothing Can Change This Love 3.7 Having a Party 3.8 Score: 3.733333333

That drummer is on T-I-M-E!

Beautiful songs and an energetic live performance by the one and only Sam Cooke

I was surprised by this album. It was pretty amazing. Good vibes, but to really feel it you probably had to be there.

Sam Cooke is cool! I first heard the music from that album in the brilliant opening scene of the movie *Ali* (Will Smith) and loved it—I’ve listened to it so often for motivation while running.

Great performer

This is an amazing recording. The energy, Cooke's vocal quality, the songs, it's all so good. I'm not normally a live show recording guy, but this one's an awesome exception for me.

Heel leuk, dansen in de keuken alsof het 1963 is

Great album - it is raw but you can really hear Sam come alive here.

Great album, but why this one versus other great Sam Cooke albums?

this must have been an incredible concert

Absolutely charming Never heard of Sam Cooke before this but I really like him now His fun and relentless energy drives the album beautifully

Without Sam Cooke there would be no "Hardest working man in music"

Live buff

Sam has such an energetic stage presence! He oozes soul and charisma with both rock music and ballads. I’d love to have watched his performance here (3.5-4).

Such a fun upbeat album- move a mile a minute and keeps a smile on my face. My favorite is the vocals in cupid

oh, to have been there

love it

Nice

Rate: 8/10.

Bom álbum

Enregistré en 1963, mais sorti uniquement en 1985 ? Les maisons de disques ne savent pas ce qui est bon ! D'après Wikipédia, ils avaient peur que ça aille contre son image pop ou je ne sais quelle connerie, alors que ça lui aurait surtout donné une image de showman monstrueux. Quelle tristesse qu'il soit mort peu après, il n'aura jamais vu à quel point ce live a été super bien reçu. Il faut dire que c'est un exemple de tout ce qui rend un live intéressant à écouter. Beaucoup de gens se plaignent dans les commentaires des albums live qu'on retrouve dans la liste et j'ai tendance à penser aussi que c'est un peu hors-sujet, mais pour le coup, la présence de cet album est difficile à contester. D'abord, grande force d'un album live, le public est en feu, mais c'est en grande partie parce que Sam Cooke nous fait un show impressionnant. Il communique en permanence avec le public, ne laisse pas la hype redescendre un seul instant et quand il chante, c'est avec une énergie communicative. Être dans la salle à ce moment-là, ça devait être une sacrée expérience ! Et ce qui est fort, c'est que les chansons n'ont pas l'air si folles que ça et je pense que sur un album studio, j'aurais trouvé ça sympathique, sans accrocher plus que ça (j'ai souvent dit ici que la soul ne me parlait pas et que je me n'y connaissais pas assez). Mais là, l'énergie communicative et l'atmosphère énorme qui plane tout au long du concert les transforme en excellent moments. L'album ne dure qu'à peine plus d'une demi-heure (un temps ridiculement court, pour un live) et on en redemande. Vraiment une écoute super agréable et je comprends pourquoi ce live est souvent considéré comme l'un des meilleurs jamais enregistrés, quoi qu'en ait pensé le label de Sam Cooke à l'époque.

Loved it!! Cupid one of my faves

I'm not normally a big fan of live albums, but this is class Being at that show must have been brilliant

A lovely treasure of a recording from the year before Cook's death, that was only released 22 years later. It reveals a much rawer soul vocal than his heart throb pop persona material and shows rather clear evidence of where Rod Stewart got much of his vocal style, mannerisms and laughing ad libs from (often admitted in interviews by Rod). It's pretty well recorded for the time and is quite short, but then again so were most gigs back then. Very enjoyable and it makes you remember that he is one of the great what if figures - had he lived history may have been very different, see also Buddy Holly......

A really enjoyable live album. Bags of energy and some great songs.

Energetic performance

I liked the vibe and the the talking during songs. I gues live alboms have its thing. However i think it was much cooler back then.

Great voice, soulful and full of flavour - enjoyed this “live” album - listening in Warsaw.

Swing fucks

Good

Great from start to finish!!

One of the strengths of certain styles of music like soul is that they are able to convey what is happening in the moment. A live performance allows for the spontaneity that really makes this music pop. Whether it's Cooke's ad libs or the audience responses, this recording captures this genre at its best. After listening to this I went back and listened to studio versions of some of these songs. They were good... but lacked the spark that this live performance was able to bring out.

A passionate and powerful live album with a great atmosphere. The live element shows a rawer side to Cooke then we hear in his singles and all for the better, in my opinion. A wonderful talent and figure lost too soon. 1 listen Favorite Track: Having a Party

Expectation: -> Who knew there was a live Sam Cooke recording? Optimistic about this. After listening: -> Wish I was there for this. Chain Gang live in '63 by the original writer/singer…wow. Followed by Cupid…oh my. Twistin' The Night Away?!? And on and on. A little difficult to judge this against a studio album. Still, impressed! Track ranking: Cupid Chain Twistin Medley Feel It Mercy Nothing Bring It Party (Intro)

loved this all the way through, almost a 5

One of the greatest voices of all time man

It's always fun to hear an album where you didn't expect to know any song and then you actually know a few

Normally I’m not keen on live albums but I really enjoyed this. Great music, an amazing voice from the singer, and a top atmosphere. It must have been great to be there.

Sam Cooke is great. I have a prejudice against live albums and I can’t understand why there are so many on this list. 3.5/5.

Initially was surprised, but I am enjoying it so far. I like the jazz... It's jazz right ? OH OKAY R&B 😭😭😭 mbbbb. I like it!

One aof the few live albums that I don't mind, Sam Cooke has a great voice

i dont like that one too much, but its smth new for me

Introduction - na Feel it (don't fight it) - 3 Chain gang - 5 Cupid - 4 Medley: it's alright / for sentimental reasons - 4 Twistin' the night away - 5 Somebody have mercy - 3 Bring it on home to me - 5 Nothing can change this love - 3 Having a party - 4

It’s all right goes smoothly into the cover of nat king Cole for sentimental reasons High energy version of twistin for what you can feel through the music and vocals is pure rhythm and blues soul throughout the live album

Favorites are Chain Gang and Cupid 💘

I'm not huge on live albums, but I think there's something special with Cooke's voice and energy here that warrants its place on this list. So undeniably electric--"Feel It (Don't Fight It") got a creeping smile out of me by the chorus. The gravelly grit of Cooke's voice (most prevalent on songs like "Somebody Have Mercy" or "Bring It On Home To Me") was amplified in its power by the joyous crowd; had I been present, I'm sure I'd feel the same catharsis everyone in the room must've felt. Cooke is clearly a talented vocalist, and I appreciate how he lets loose to make for an unforgettable display of human soul. I do hesitate on ranking it any higher than a 4, though. I don't see myself coming back to this particular record very often, and many of the songs on an individual level weren't suited to my particular tastes. Still, I can't deny its incandescence: this is a light 4 for me. STAND-OUT SONG: "It's All Right / (I Love You)" HONORABLE MENTIONS: "Feel It (Don't Fight It)", "Cupid”, "Chain Gang", "Nothing Can Change This Love"

I liked this a lot. I was going to give it a 3 just because it is not a style I would usually listen to, but on reflection I realized that the live with the crowd interaction amd the energy really bumps it up. I loved this

Live jazz albums are a bit of a miss for me. I definitely appreciate jazz but more as a background music when I'm studying or cooking or something of the sort, and live performances are kind've hard to fade into. I can appreciate the artistry and soul that comes out of them, but I'm not jazz pilled enough to really feel them. I would love to listen to live jazz but recorded live jazz is not my thing. Ok hating aside I do actually really like this. This is alive man. Mr. Cooke I was unfamiliar with your game. Ok maybe I've been listening to the wrong live jazz because this is electric. Favourite: Cupid Least favourite: Soul Twist/Introduction

I do not like live albums, but this one was VERY enjoyable. Very charismatic performance from Cooke, and an even more enjoyable crowd.

I was really enjoying this, oddly the more he spoke the more I felt I was listening to Chris Rock. They sound identical. That said, still a cracking album, great pace and a singing voice that it's among the best ever.

So, the first question I asked myself was why was a live album that was recorded in January of 1963 not released until June of 1985? Well, the answer is that Cooke's record label was trying to turn him into a pop star at the time, and they felt that the recording was too gritty and raw and would damage his pop image. The grittiness and rawness is exactly what makes this a great album. Too many live albums are over-produced and don't capture the essence of the performance. This one captures it perfectly - flaws and all, as well as audience participation. Some great classic songs on this on too. This made me think of a situation where you aren't 100% into the artist, but go to the live show anyway, and end up having the time of your life. I would have loved to have been at this show. It sounds like a total party!

Fantastic example of how great live albums can be

It seems that we are with him, great vibes!!

I don't know how he sung like that without losing his voice. Vocals are raw and gritty unlike his super polished singles. 4/5.

Very very good live album

It's a good live album, but I'm not really a fan of live albums.

This album is so good. Great live performances!

Happy to find out Sam Cooke live puts in the grit and energy I always find a bit lacking in hearing some of his songs recorded - the songs here sound so much punchier and impassioned, and there’s this great energy build between Cooke and this club audience throughout which really works for me. I think putting it across from the James Brown live release of the same time day-after-day helps it as well, because the looseness and the passion comes across really well for me rather than the perfect stage show, especially with this particular soul sound (which now I can begin to hear the influence on reggae particularly). The sound production could probably be better in an ideal world, but it’s a live album from 1963, I’ll take what I can get on that.

An excellent live performance. Sam Cooke is a charismatic performer and this concert is amazing. The absolute highlight is the raucous closing number "Having A Party".

Round up from like, 3.6. The style of song gets a little old by the end…but for most of the time this is a rocking, energetic, boisterous, soulful, time. It’s fun to imagine being there. Must-listen #351.

Considering how he died, it's a ironic he introduced it's alright by saying don't go home and hit your woman. If he'd only listened to his own advice. Other than that little hiccup. Great album. Great performance.

Fun, high energy live performance.

Good soul album

This ruled, but I still think live albums take away more than they add.

Yeah that's soul

What a voice. So soulful. The band was great too. Amazing. These songs are still played by live bands all over the world. Clearly an important recording.

When was the last time you heard a performer, band, & crowd have as good time as this?

⭐⭐⭐⭐+ Ett live album jag inte kände till sedan tidigare men en positiv överaskning. Sam Cooke har verkligen en strålande röst. Albumet har fantastisk närvaro och publikinteraktion samt skickliga musiker. Känns som låtmaterilet lyfter av livehanteringen vilket jag sällan tycker händer. Medryckande livealbum utan dåliga spår får en stark 4a av mig. Bäst är Chain Gang, Twistin' the night away, Bring it home to me, Having a party.

Raw, sexy energy

Que experiencia tan bonita, tan buen rollo que desprende. Te sientes dentro de ese club, que género tan superior es el soul, no es solo soul diría que también tiene un poco de rock suave que te hace bailar y sonreír al escucharlo. Es un plus que sea in live por eso, te hace sumergirte todavía mas en la experiencia. Que enriquecedora la cultura negra. Aún así no se si lo volvería a escuchar, puede que en un futuro pero veo complicado que en mi día a día me ponga alguna canción del Live. Por eso le doy un 8,5

High energy feel good music. If it doesn’t get you on your feet, please see a doctor

Excellent slice of old Americana.

very awesome!

8/10 чисто под сигаретку и стакан 40 градусного нектара лучшие: Cupid/Nothing Can Change This Love

7.5/10

One of the great voices of soul.

I don't tend to like live albums. He's fun and clearly having fun.

Très content d’écouter un album de Sam Cooke, dont j’avais jamais entendu parler il y a de ça quelques semaines. Son histoire laisse à penser ce qui aurait pu être s’il n’avait pas été assassiné L’écoute est très agréable, l’ambiance live est parfaite, l’enregistrement est très clair et court aussi. Le genre « soul » est incarné par le chanteur et on souhaite être dans la salle

Very interesting document, which presents a completely different picture of the Sam Cooke we thought we knew. The only live album released in his lifetime, “ Sam Cooke Live at the Copa”, shows him doing mostly lame pop tunes in front of a lily white dinner club audience. This album, recorded in 1963 and first released in 1985 (held back by his record company, because they were worried it would not appeal to his white crossover audience) shows a very different Sam Cooke in front of a majority black Harlem club audience. This comes across gritty and sweaty, with often shouted vocals and a slightly raspy voice, with more than a hint of the church (he was of course, a great gospel singer in the Soul Stirrers before achieving secular fame/success). When I bought this album in the 1980s, I remember being somewhat blown away by the idea that he had to do such different shows for his black versus white audiences (there are literally only two songs in common between the two live albums). I wonder how many other black performers ran into this?

An icon at his best

Funky

I so wish I was there… that room is crazy. One of my favorite things Sam Cooke does live is when he gives the fellas a piece of advice it’s just always so funny to me. The pace of this is electric and Cooke’s energy is so high! I love the people who just start SCREAMING when he drops that little You Send Me line.

It was classy and full of life. However, I don't care for live recordings very much and the audio quality/background noise starts to wear on me, so I wasn't able to finish it.

RATING: 9/10 HIGHLIGHT: Twistin’ the Night Away LOWLIGHT: Nothing Can Change This Love

I don't usually enjoy live albums, but this one possessed a kind of energy that's extremely difficult to capture. It was like I was at the Harlem Square Club hearing Sam Cooke sing in person, instead of listening to a recording of a live performance from 63 years ago.

Great album. Amazing energy. Sam Cooke always a safe bet.

I don’t normally like live albums but this was really good!!!

hol ymoly

Classic soul. I really had forgotten how many great songs this man was responsible for. And to think, this is contemporary with the Beatles!

Funky sax off rip, only got halfway through but have to revisit

really enjoyed this. Will listen again

Muy buen álbum, movido, genial, me hubiera encantado nacer en esa época.

I like listening to the oldie occasionally. This was a fun album!

sam cucina

It was enjoyable, some gems just didn't like the fact its a live album

very nice

Fun little live set with some great classics. Very good way to soend 30 minutes.

Now THIS is a quality live album

A rollicking listen . Really enjoyed it

I have listened to Sam Cooke’s Albums before and although I enjoyed them I haven’t exactly bonded. This however included more hits and being a live album gave more insight to the talent that was Sam Cooke.

This was so much fun! Really made me want to host a BBQ party, crank open some beers, and put this record on high. What a complete vibe.

I don’t like live albums, but this was fun.

Me gusta el soul

Geluisterd op de Eurostar van Brussel naar Parijs. Ik word er dankbaar en vrolijk van :-) It‘s Allright deed me denken aan Spinvis die zong dat alles in orde komt.

Électrisant, ambiance de live « sauvage » dans le bon sens

I loved Sam Cooke, but I never heard him being as soulful as he was on this album. He and this band were digging deep. Wow!

Me gusto mucho buen concierto de soul

Idk how else to describe this other than it improved my mood

Really enjoyable, love that the list exposes me to stuff like this. RYM: Y (#569) Save a song: N

God it really feels like the 60s tonight

A legend at work. Sometimes the song extensions with crowd work drag a bit, but probably not if you were there. Anyway the real soul is right here.

This is one of those live albums that left me with an insane of FOMO. Sam Cooke has such a magnetic personality, something I would have assumed from his music, honestly. His energy is infectious; this seemed like such a fun show! I loved how much fun he was having fun with the songs, the best example being the hit "Nothing Can Change This Love". The horns were funky, the band was so tight, and the vocals were fantastic. Favorite tracks: Feel It Cupid Nothing Can Change this Love

Baby, It's All Right 1001 Albums Generator 272 (4/17/2026) What a wonderful, fun soul album. Sam Cooke has this undeniable stage presence and I feel like I'm there with him. He really knew how to work a crowd, and the music itself is so much fun. A couple of slower moments in the tracklist hold it back from perfection, but I'd happily return to this. 4/5. Favs: Feel It (Don't Fight It) Chain Gang Bring It On Home To Me Least Fav: Somebody Have Mercy

I love Sam Cooke. Fantastic album of course. Such a smooth voice and love the instrumentation. Immediately puts me in a better mood. I personally have always liked his Live at the Copa album better. Highly recommend his Try a Little Tenderness medley in that album.

So fun

Legend

Really enjoyed, what a lovely man. Great transitions between songs, seems like it was an excellent show. Started out so-so but then 'Cupid' is a huge banger, and I pretty much loved every song after that too. Def gonna be listening to some more Sam Cooke <3

mid 4 i go to a lot of gigs and i always lament the frigidness of crowds. whats the point of standing still at a gig? there was a time when people went out to dance every weekend. this albums captures when those same people go to see their favourite singer - the result is clearly a better night out then ive had at the last 100 gigs ive been to put together. once people did the twist. now most cant even muster a hand in the air or a sing along. imagine if every weekend i could boogie the night away with my sweet women to the soulful sounds of sam cooke. sadly my partner doesn't have the moves so its a lost cause... why havent i given this a 5? i dont think the songs are quite up to scratch. my all time fav otis redding has live albums that equal this in energy with much better songs. otis's live albums have been neglected from this list sadly. its cool to here sams band is the same as otiss, drums, bass, electric guitar and horns. its a great striped back sound and i love hearing the electric guitar like this. its a pain to tour with a piano or organ and the electric piano had only just been invented.

Used well in the Michael Mann movie “Ali”

4 1/2 maybe?

Really good soul album, really good live album.

Such a soulful voice and a great showman

Very uplifting and energetic music. It really lifts your spirits and gives you a sense of calm.

Live and energetic… love it! Wish I could be a fly the wall during this show. 4.4

Good

Love it!

Pretty good, classic songs, classic vibe.

Great live album, really fun atmosphere. Shame to hear he died a bit after this.

oh yeah

Whoa! What. A. Powerful. Live. Recording.

4/8

This was a great album. Just transported me to another time and place. I knew Sam and had heard some of his work, but all together is just great. He's such a good singer and the supporting band is amazing. The live audience adds so much, and I really enjoyed it. Not the widest variety, but soulful as hell.

Live music makes the energy feel higher. It's just better than a recording. The crowd feeds into it.

Having a party indeed. Hot damn it would have been amazing to be there. What a voice! Honestly, I think I may like Cooke more than Brown.

This just makes you happy

So much positive energy, soul is almost never my music of choice but I enjoyed it. The live performance only adds up to it.

4 Really cool hearing the crowdwork between the songs

Nostalgic feeling, now I want a lemonade or a cheap cold beer... Idk what that means, but it was a fun listen.

I have twisted the night away and I loved it.

What a voice.

Obligatory "I don't usually like live albums" statement goes here. Sam Cooke is great. This album is great. It sounds like it was a blast to record. Lots of crowd interaction which would generally be a negative for me, but this is so much fun that it's ultimately a positive. 4 Stars.

Review - wow this album is great. Never really listened to Sam Cooke, and at first was like wow this is punky for being from the 60s, was this really popular back then? Then saw it hadn't been released for 20 years for being too "raw". Also interesting reading about how his music was marketed to "pop" audiences. The language used then, in the '80s, and even now, is just code for talking about race. His music was targeted at white audiences, and execs decided that this album wouldn't be bought by them, so it was shelves for 20 years despite being great. Will be looking into more of his work. Rating - 9/10 Need to hear? YES

omg vilket ös

3.5 stars I’m typically not a fan of live albums. My average for them on here is probably 2 stars. The sound quality of this feels a lot better than others of the era like the James Brown one. I also feel a little more part of the show, where as the James Brown one feels like a documentary with the crowd disrupting over his grunts and such. Cooke is connected with the audience in a way that feels more intimate. His singing is captured well and the tunes are good. It is great to have this document not too long before he died to hear how he was when in his element. I still prefer hearing studio versions, but this was relatively short and I didn’t mind the live elements.

7.5/10 - Sam has a great voice but what sets this album apart is his presence. He is so dynamic, he works the crowd, he adds with the ad libs. This is one of the best live albums I’ve ever heard.

Another live album that must have been awesome to have been there but works less well as standalone record due to wonky recording / mix. He has an awesome voice that can convey a lot of emotion and the band its tight and the songs are mostly classics.

Not what I'm used to listening to being a rock and electronic guy. But it was very enjoyable and a smooth and easy listening experience. I have the urge to explore more of his discography. Highlights: Every track is good but Twistin' the night away and Nothing can change this love were highlights for me.

I'd prefer a studio album, but there are so many great tracks.

🆒

Good album, Sam Cooke sure knew how to groove.

What an energy packed album. While most live records capture the spontaneity of improvisation, One Night Stand documents the pure power of soul going through the venue. It's heard in the band, the crowd, and most importantly, the legendary Sam Cooke. Never has a live album been recorded to sound like I'm in the venue and the music is being shot at me like this record. It's got emotion, it's got hard thumping blues, and it's got soul.

love this record, a consummate performer at the peak of his vocal power. the version of Bring It On Home had me fully in tears at like 11am

4/5. More like Sam Cooked with this live performance. Because he gives a fantastic studio-quality live performance here, extremely expressive with an infectious energy which is helped by the backing band. you get a mix of blues and soul here and in theory it’s quite a basic album but Sam just absolutely sells it and elevates it to something great.

Fun album. Lots of classics.

Cool to hear the audience, a different time!

This was fantastic to get the day after Moby. I've always loved Sam Cooke and as far as live albums go this was a great one. Bring It On Home To Me is the high point for me, but I loved the album overall.

peak

I loved this album! The pace of it, the songs (so many of which I knew), the energy and sheer joy of live music. I have never heard of Sam Cooke before today, but I am so pleased I have now.

This was a good album but at times it felt like SC was playing at a small club. You could hear people talking in the background.

This was pretty good - I could swear at one point he said "It's not that leukemia", but I could be wrong.

4.8

4/8

8/10 A great laugh ve album that captures some of the excitement and sheer joy of what must have been an awesome show. The best of Sam Cooke is amongst the very best, but a couple of the songs don't quite hit for me.

I prefer the single versions of these songs but most are still great.

Sál í þessu

Ég er meiri töffari eftir að hafa hlustað á þetta 😎

Strong live set. Edgier than his studio cuts. Really great

Fuck we really had it all back then

awesome energy! solid 4 favorites: bring it home to me, medley: it’s all right / for sentimental reading

unexpected banger. live stuff really adds to it and his voice is unreal

This is produced better than most 50s and 60s live albums I've heard, which on its own doesn't say much, but this is well made for what it is. Sounds like they're having a good time. It's a nice time capsule, must have been a good show. 3.8/5

Top Songs: Feel It Chain Gang Cupid Somebody Have Mercy

This album should have been called ‘One Night Stand with Sam Cooke’

Amazing voice, amazing vibes. Nothing to add, just all in all a great performance.

Fun, energetic, raw and fantastic!

finally, some good jazz lol! love that this is live, its great!

*Highly regarded live album, soulful Chain gang Cupid Twistin' the night away Having a party

Can't go wrong with Sam Cooke; he's great! Audio quality could be better though.

My 14 year old’s new favorite singer apparently? She got really into it when i had it on in the car

Highly enjoyable. Sam Cooke had a lot of good years left that we didn't get to experience.

I can't speak to the technical aspects of this album the way some other reviewers have. I'm not familiar enough with his work to call out why the live album is inferior or rebut those statements. I do know I really enjoyed listening to this record and added it to my library. It was a mood boost on needed on a Monday morning.

Sam Cooke is one of many soul singers who died too early. This live album show the power of his voice with great arrangements. I would've chosen a different track order here and there, but that's my online issue.

I like this. He has a great voice and some classic songs

Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963 (1985) is a live album by Sam Cooke. It was recorded on January 12, 1963, but deemed to raw to fit in with the singers smooth image, it was eventually released posthumously in 1985. This may be ‘raw’ but there is nothing rough about Sam Cooke’s vocals, which are flawless. It’s no wonder he earned the title ‘King of Soul’. Cooke’s roots were in gospel but this live performance sees him also leaning into R&B, which is perhaps what his label were nervous about. My favourite tracks were ‘Chain Gang’ and ‘Bring It On Home To Me’. There are no bad tracks but the Medley does go on a bit. Of course, whilst listening to the album I went down a bit of a rabbit hole reading about his tragic death. He was shot and killed by a motel manager only one year after this performance. The circumstances are sketchy and don’t paint Cooke in a good light but the investigation into the shooting was conducted so quickly and left enough unanswered questions that conspiracy theories abound. Whatever happened, the result was that the world lost a great talent much too soon. [Note - there are three versions of this album - the original 1985 release, a version released in 2000, and a 2005 version which is the one I listened to on Spotify. Apparently the crowd is louder in the 1985 mix, quieter in the 2000 mix, and somewhere in the middle in the 2005 one.] Side A: 1. Soul Twist/Introduction 2. Feel It (Don’t Fight It) - 4/5 3. Chain Gang - 5/5 4. Cupid - 5/5 5. Medley: It’s All Right/For Sentimental Reasons - 3/5 6. Twistin’ The Night Away - 4/5 Side B: 1. Somebody Have Mercy - 4/5 2. Bring It On Home To Me - 5/5 3. Nothing Can Change This Love - 4/5 4. Having A Party - 4/5

4.25 - Who doesn’t like Sam Cooke??

It turns out Sam Cooke can really sing - this is great. Will listen again.

Excellent live performance great listen

This album list has its flaws, but it is developing an appreciation in me for older live albums. Each time they've been a party. (This album was unreleased for 22 years for being "too gritty"?!) This album is a party, and it also reinforces the fact that American music would be nothing without Black musicians.

A great best of compilation, that also happens to be a great live album. Gives you a sense of what it was like to be there. I could easily see me putting this on again.

On one hand, I don't particularly like live albums. On the other hand, this is a great album and it likely wouldn't have quite the impact without the crowd noise. You can't help wanting to move to this music. But there is a bit too much of the crowd noise and Sam interacting with the crowd to give this a 5.

This sounds like such a fun live show. Besides being a phenomenal singer, Sam Cooke has a talent for interacting with the crowd and making them feel included in the performance. Unbelievable stage presence. Encountering live albums like this make me really happy. I'm rating it 4.5/5, although giving a 4/5 feels a bit low. At least that gives me a reason to revisit this and consider bumping it up to a 5/5.

7/10

Pure SOUL. Great energy, great vocals, and a killer lineup of songs make for a pretty great live album!!

This is my favorite live album ever. The energy is so relentless and I love how he's almost playing one continuous song that incorporates crowd work and spoken word as well. Can't imagine what it would've would've like to be there.

Really enjoyed

Reading the Wikipedia article and trying to rationalize how this could be maybe the best live album of all time when I could blurt out 10 candidates off the top of my head, slowly understanding why as I listen. Sam Cooke has such a wonderful voice, amazing energy, and can absolutely lead a crowd wherever he wants them. I get it. I'm not sure it's MY favorite live album, but it is EXCELLENT ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

I'm not generally a fan of live albums, but this was a blinder. Some classics, belted out with 100% commitment and great musicians in support. You can tell the atmosphere was electric.

This is my first time listening to Sam soul isn't a genre I listen to much but I was happy to hear this recommendation His voice is fantastic live and his enthusiasm for engaging the audience definitely adds a special touch

It's such a shame they don't make them like this any more. Great performances all round, great energy, great tunes.

Another live album. Gosh almighty. Rule #1, there better be crowd interaction. Rule #2 there better be something jammy and extraordinary Rule #3 the sound quality better be great. There are more rules but I’ll have to make them up on the spot as needed. So, where there may be some interaction with the crowd, Sam Cooke really kind of whips through the songs. I’m ok with it so far. The tides could be a changin’ . Maybe not. So far, all 3 initial rules have been hit. The vocals sound raw but still have that sweet sweet harmony. The band seem to take a backseat of Sam’s vocals and delivery, which work. The crowd seems to be into it. Can’t deny that. You can easily forget that this is a live album. I’m ok with that as well. Oh and a coached sing a long. Nice play. Ok, ok I take back any disdain I had for listening to this album. I will admit, Chubby Checker did this to me as well. There is just something special listening to a live soul time album. There’s no way a studio album could sound this good as a whole. I’m sold. My only gripe is guess is that the album just ends. If you’re going to present a live album, you need to make me feel like I’m there from start to finish. That was a let down. Do I dare let it affect my rating? Hmmmm Choice cut: It’s Alright Medley

so cool, literally it is just pure good vibes and such fun music

This was a very fun listen, sent it to my girlfriend.

más allá de los ritmos, que me han gustado bastante, el hecho de que sea en vivo me hace sentirlo más

кул

Wonderful voice...smooth but gritty

really infectious energy, liked it a lot.

Good old Motown

At first I was unimpressed by this album, due in whole part to my own ignorance. After a little educating, I was reminded of when a colleague blurted out one day, “I don’t think much to the beetles. Their music sounds like everyone else’s”. No, I pointed out kindly, everyone else’s music sounds like the beetles.” … sort of. Because the beetles, like so many in the ensuing decade, and the roots of whole genres we now call friends, sound like Sam Cooke. Thank you, Sam. I’m a little bit better a person than I was before I started listened to this album. Oh, and it’s a blast.

4.1

It was good, his live voice is excellent but the songs are the exact same style it needs some variety

This must have been one hell of a show! I admit that I don’t know much about Sam Cooke except that he was a (the) legendary soul man whose life was tragically cut short soon after this recording was made. I was amazed to hear the melodies that evoked so many rock and pop songs that were chart makers. I gotta dive into his stuff more!

Starts off kinda awk but pick up in next song I wish I could hear the other stuff other than just drums and voice but very smooth voice very upbeat? cute?? peppy sounding??? Omg I luv cupid sad and cute!!! <-(from what i can tell) his voice adds on so well and backing is just perfect 100/100. Ok im warming up 2 it... TWISTING HAS REDEEMED THE BACKROUND OMS. fin with album hmmm i say its likeee 4/5 2/16/2026

Generally, I do not enjoy live albums (at least compared to studio albums). This doesn't really change that, though it is better than most live albums. There is a good energy and the crowd work does add a fun element. But I can't see myself ever going back to this album over the studio versions of his songs. 3.5 rounded up for Sam Cooke

Really good stuff.

Lindo álbum, divertido!

Amazing crowd work. Would have been an amazing night to be there

This is one of those albums where the underlying music/style isn’t my favorite, but the way everything is packaged and presented elevates it to extraordinary levels. Sam Cooke was a master of crowd control and it really shows here – definitely one of the most fun live albums I’ve listened to for this challenge! Highlights: Feel It (Don’t Fight It), Chain Gang, Medley: It’s Alright / For Sentimental Reasons, Twistin’ the Night Away, Somebody Have Mercy, Having a Party

Feel It - 4/5 Chain Gang - 5/5 Cupid - 4/5 Medley: It's All Right / For Sentimental Reasons - 3/5 Twistin' the Night Away - 4/5 Somebody Have Mercy - 4/5 Bring It On Home to Me - 5/5 Nothing Can Change This Love - 5/5 Having a Party - 3/5 Average score: 4.1/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As per my own personal policy, all live albums shall lose one star immediately.

Based on my Last.fm statistics I've only listened to couple of Sam Cooke songs before this. Not the biggest fan of live albums but I did enjoy listening to this.

Soul and Rock&Roll - quite nice

I love sam cooke and I think this has awesome energy.!!

A happy 60s album. He can sing. Good vibe. The album aged fine, but it won’t get as much attention if I was released today. Historically important +1 star, so it’s a four overall.

Sam Cooke can sing man. what a fun album to listen to. this dude had the whole crowd having an absolute blast. stellar voice and cool to listen to him in his live setting

Fast-paced, fun, and Sam Cooke’s amazing vocal talent make for a great album. It’s a shame his life was cut short and the world missed out on his artistry. Live performance recordings aren’t always my favorite, but this is one of the better ones.

A really fun live album that had me singing back the call and response to Sam Cooke while I was driving in the car.

holy good vibes. some of the song transitions can be long but i dont even care his voice is so good fav song: Feel It (Don't Fight It)

Don't usually care for live albums, but everyone in this seemed like they were having a great time and it put me in a good mood.

Felt like an exciting party, the crowd interactions were great and I mostly dislike live albums.

I liked it 😋

8/10

Fabulous atmosphere captured in the live recording that I just feel like you don’t get anymore?? I just love hearing the crowd scream like omg the girls really loved Sam hahahaha. You can hear them like dancing and having fun and catching a vibe insane insane energy. He sounds incredible?! Him embedding the call and response in the song, like feeding the crowd their lines and still keeping time and still performing the songs nuts nuts nuts. Giving this one a solid 8/10

A perfect voice, top 5 all time fave. Great to hear in a different context, more upbeat and looser. Reminded me of the James Brown live album.

To my shame I'd not heard of Sam Cooke before. But I absolutely adored this recording. The energy. It's like being in that room. Then to read about what happened to him not that long afterwards.

A good one today. Of course I love Sam. He’s one of the all time great voices and one that was cut too short. I know the studio recordings, but never heard the live stuff, but this is excellent too.

Ooo live music! I stand by the argument that a recording of a live set can make a great album. This was a string of good vibes put into a 36 minute set. i liked Feel It (Don't Fight It) and Bring It on Home to Me. I forsee myself listening to this as a working album

4- Stars (10/15)

Listening to the 1001 is slowly changing my opinion on live albums for the better

7/10 I did enjoy it. I have never listened to Jess before but I’m going to listen to some more.

I never really heard this properly..mostly the studio recordings and this is beautiful. Cupid always chokes me up for some reason

Прикольный джаз. Можно иногда послушать

- Jeg er ikke generelt fan af live album eller generelt at høre live musik, udover når jeg ser det live, men jeg synes det her er godt, jeg tænkte ikke over de dårlige ting ved, at det er live, derimod forstærker det bare den glade og livlige stemning, at man kan høre publikum - Sam Cooke er virkelig dygtig og man bliver glad af, at høre det her album - Selvom jeg synes det fungerer med et live album på den her måde, er der stadig bare nogle musikalske mangler og lidt mangel på variation, for at det skal være et 5/5 album for mig

A helluva vibe.

first listen. divertido.

I’m not typically a fan of live albums but for this one I’ll make an exception. The banter between songs was almost as good as the tracks themselves! The track ‘chain gang’ made me realise where Fleetwood Mac ‘big love’ got their inspiration from! lol Awesome album!

Not usually a fan of live albums, but like my album-challenge-mate, I really enjoyed the banter! Great showmanship, good vibes

Somewhat bluesy. Sounds like many of the artists of this era. Definitely one of the best Sam Cooke albums. I particularly enjoyed this one.

Man what a vibe! Standouts: Feel It (Don't Fight It), Medley, Somebody Have Mercy 4.5/5, really suprised me

MW: 7.4 Fav: Feel It Least Fav: Medley: It's All Right / For Sentimental Reasons

Mr. Soul. Smooth and raspy voice. Great tunes. Great album.

Really good energetic album and showing by Sam Cooke. All the songs are great, as I forgot how many classics are in his catalog. It is a shame he died so young, he could have been at the top with singers like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. High 4/5

Feels like cutting edge for 1963, love the energy. Sam Cooke really has a fun voice, makes you want to dance.

Soms good stuff for a Monday morning this. Great voice, great energy, it’s got everything you want from a live album. 4.0/5.0 Best Song: Chain Gang(?)

60’s Soul ⭐️Bring It On Home to Me

Well this was an unexpected delight. Some great songs in here and just a general feel good vibe all round. Liked a lot of this one.

A really fun listen from a clearly talented performer.

This is a great live album. Feels like you're right there in the club with him. Quality is mediocre but that's because of technology of the times. Short set but full of soul and energy.

Sam Cooke and a lot of 50s/60s R & B singers came up in clubs with demanding, working class audiences who wanted their hard-earned money to buy them as exciting and high-quality a show as possible. This live album is proof of that pedigree, from the impeccable vocals to the raucous energy to the charismatic banter. No dead air, just R & B and soul mastery.

The singing was very good, I wish there wasn't crazy long talking parts in between each of the songs or else I could give it a 5 /5

Very good live record

całkiem ciekawe, podoba mi się vibe nagrania LIVE. Ogólnie ujmując relaksujące, przyjemnie się słucha, a jednocześnie nie nudzi. Mocna pozycja

High energy 4 - great even among this list

Really fantastic soul singing, good band. I can picture myself there back in the 60s partying it up. Sam Cooke really knew how to command the stage by the sound of the crowd here. Would listen again for sure.

Weiterhin schwierig, hier Live-Alben zu bewerten...das Album kenne ich tatsächlich, weil ich mal einen Podcast zu ihm gehört habe. Von der Performance her 5 Sterne.

Raspy and soulful. Pretty freaking great.

Religious experience, never heard a voice say so much and take a performance over in such a way.

Really good live jazz session.

A monster of a voice on this guy. He knows how to entertain a crowd. A rather pleasant listen.

Bom álbum. Dançante, animado, voz inconfundível. Álbum ao vivo, mostra domínio e interação com o público.

Damn good. I liked when he asked the fellas not to hit their ladies due to rumors.

Very much enjoyed. Solid throughout.

This was fun

Sam Cooke has always seemed a bit tame to me, but this performance brings a raw, rebellious energy. I wish I was there. Loved “Feel it (Don’t Fight it)”.

The man doesn't stop

Actually benefits from rhe Live element. Personality and fan interactions add to the feel of the album I gave Little Richard 3, who i think may have benefitted from Live format too. Nice afternoon cheer up boogie album