Customer Reviews

Jesus Gave Me Water

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Sam Cooke was simply amazing. His voice is one of a kind and NOBODY can come close to imitating his voice. This album showed the side of Sam early in his career when he used his soft tenor voice. Later on, it became rough and raspy, but it still remained the best I have ever heard. Sam's legacy will live on forever. This is truly a remarkable album.

Sam had his work cut out for him when he replaced the great and enormously popular R.H. Harris in the Soul Stirrers...but he not only replaced him, he absolutely redefined the role of the lead tenor, and created soul music in the process. These recordings are incredible...Sam was only 19 when some were recorded! And when you listen to this, remember that this was recorded in the days before multitracking, and you are hearing a single take. That's how good these guys were. An absolute must own.

This CD shows Sam at his best, sweet but powerful. He and Paul Foster took the Soul Stirrers into a new era with these songs, a younger, more hopeful and more light hearted kind of Gospel. Sam wrote some of this music, and proved he was a multi-talented star in a time when the competition was immensely tough. Well worth adding to your inspirational collection.

Sister Flute is the elusive woman in the congregation who, when the music and the spirit really-really touch her, she moans, groans, cries and falls into the aisle, hands flailing above her head in absolute ecstasy and has to be helped from the aisle! She sets the mood for the rest of the congregation to go a little crazy and feel the spirit. Every gospel quartet from the 30s to the 50s wanted Sister Flute -- it was what they sought at every performance -- and she didn't always sing for them. If this collection of extraordinary music, performed by some of gospel's most gifted fellas, doesn't touch the "Sister Flute" in your soul, you aren't listening. Not only does Sam Cooke shine gloriously here (like you've never heard him), but he's joined by the inimitable Paul Foster, mind-boggling Julius Cheeks, and the brilliant rhythm and soul of S.R. Crain, Farley, Alexander, Crume, and all the other fellows to sing/play with the Stirrers during Sam's stay. This quartet's a capella rhythm, phrasing, 2-lead style, texture, harmonies, intonation, and irrepressible joy sets the gospel bar so high, few have ever given them a run for their money. For the musician listener, the exquisitely tight harmonies and concurrent lead/counterpoint of Sam's vocal is enough to give you goosebumps from head to toe. This is the real stuff; real American music at its finest. And don't think you have to be a Christian or a gospel fan to appreciate this magic -- I'm an atheist and listen to these guys every chance I get! I am their Sister Flute, no question.

Favorite Tracks:
Jesus Gave Me Water
I'm Gonna Build on That Shore
Jesus Done Just What He Said
It Won't Be Very Long
Any Day Now
All Right Now

Lovers of good gospel music know the joys of instantaneous mood elevation. "Jesus Gave Me Water" is a shining example of the genre and Sam Cook is one of the all time great singers. This collection is the quintessential Sam Cook. His silk-smooth, incredibly supple vocal instrument is entrancing, his diction impeccable and his mastery of phrasing is magical. Here, he is at the peak of his considerable powers. For example, go directly to "Any Day Now" (track #22). His early death is, indeed, an American tragedy.

I had heard of Sam Cooke before but I knew nothing about this group. I listened to the samples and was just blown away by these so perfectly named brothers that I just had to have it.

Paul Foster and Julius Cheeks were great from the start. The addition of Sam Cooke was a perfect mix. I highly recommend this collection of 25 recordings to anyone who wants to feel there soul.

eddie huffman wasonthis album aswellas another hoyt album andon 2jewel label albums.ihavenot beenable tofind these anywhere inany form since ibought the ones ihavein the70s.he livesin tampa,fl.now.his add.is3740williams landing bld.4apt.207 zip.code33510 ph.813 6203144.