Sam Cooke Night Beat CD

Recorded in February 1963. Includes liner notes by Michael Hill.

Digitally remastered by Bill Lacey (Digital Sound & Picture, New York, New York).

By 1963 Cooke was a big enough star to call his own shots in the studio, and NIGHT BEAT is the result of his desire to make an intimate, artistic album that abandoned pop arrangements in favor of intimate soul-jazz settings. Accompanied by a small band that includes drum legend Hal Blaine and a very young Billy Preston on organ, he tackles a batch of tunes that were close to his heart. From the mournful, set-'em-up-Joe feel of "Lost And Lookin'" to the randy blues of Willie Dixon's "Little Red Rooster," Cooke pours out his heart. Freed from pop strictures, Cooke allows himself to stretch out vocally, his singing at its most unfettered and emotional throughout NIGHT BEAT.

Sam Cooke is best known as the man who integrated R&B, gospel, and pop, amid expansive arrangements typified by big string sections and a maximalist production approach. It may be a surprise for casual Cooke listeners, then, to encounter the Sam Cooke of NIGHT BEAT. There's nary an orchestra to be found here; Cooke is backed by a small combo in a spare, tasteful manner. The overall musical feeling is also far removed from Cooke's poppier efforts, leaning strongly toward the jazzy blues end of the spectrum (as brilliantly accentuated by, among others, a very young Billy Preston on organ). Hearing the despair in Cooke's voice on "Lost and Lookin'" and the downhearted "Mean Old World," one is instantly made aware that the man who sang "Wonderful World" and "Cupid" was capable of far more than mere ditties (however striking and memorable said ditties may have been). NIGHT BEAT finds Cooke reaching deeper into himself than he did on any other album, expanding our notion of his depth and capabilities.

(bass, drums); Clifford Hills (bass); Hal Blaine (drums).

Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California on February 22-23 and 25, 1963. Includes liner notes by Robert Palmer.

Reissue producers: Jody Hart Klein, Gregg Geller, Lenne Allik.

Personnel: Sam Cooke (vocals); Rene Hall (conductor); Clif White, Barney Kessell (guitar); Raymond Johnson (piano); Billy Preston (organ); Edward Hall

Producers: Hugo & Luigi.

Reissue producer: Paul Williams.

Personnel: Sam Cooke (vocals).

Liner Note Author: Peter Guralnick.

Personnel: Sam Cooke (vocals); Rene Hall, Barney Kessel, Clifton M. White (guitar); Raymond Johnson (piano); Billy Preston (organ); Clifford Hils (bass); Hal Blaine, Edward J. Hall (drums).

Producers: Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore.

Vibe (10/95, p.140) - "...Cooke was sometimes called `the black Sinatra,' and NIGHT BEAT shows exactly why. With spare, jazz-inflected backing, he offers the sort of loosely swinging, nuanced delivery that few besides Frank could ever match..."