Customer Reviews

Overnight Sensational

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Man! I saw Sam at this year's Jazz Fest and when he said he had a new CD coming out, I knew it would be hot! This CD is what I expected plus more!

From the opening number "I Can't Stand the Rain" to the closer "You Are So Beautiful", this CD has all of your soul needs. When you hear Sam and Travis Tritt tear it up on "Riding Thumb", you can't help but to start moving. And when you hear his stirring tribute to Conway Twitty on "It's Only Make Believe" - featuring background vocals by Vince Gill and Mariah Carey - you can't help but be moved.

Don't let this gem pass you by. If you like Taylor Hicks, then you probably won't like this. This is REAL soul; plus Sam Moore can actually dance! Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You'll be glad you did!

"Overnight Sensational" is only the second solo album in the career of Sam Moore, who sang indelible 1960's Memphis soul hits as half of Sam and Dave. (Dave Prater died in an auto accident in 1988.) There's a formula for albums like this, with big-name admirers surrounding an elder musician, but on "Overnight Sensation" the formula works.

At 70 Mr. Moore has held on to the gospel-charged exhortations and leaping phrases he used in songs like "Hold On, I'm Comin' " and "Soul Man." He attracted star guests and a well-connected producer, Randy Jackson; he also overshadows them.

"Overnight Sensational" picks up familiar oldies and newer songs, like Garth Brooks's "None of Us Are Free," that are suited to a straightforward soul treatment. Mr. Jackson didn't force Mr. Moore toward current R&B; the tracks hark back to 1960's and 1970's soul, with horn sections, churchy backup singers and Hammond organs (played by Steve Winwood and Billy Preston, among others). The big names let loose their heartiest growls and yowls -- Bruce Springsteen in "Better to Have and Not Need," Wynonna in "I Can't Stand the Rain," Fantasia in "Blame It on the Rain," Travis Tritt in "Ridin' Thumb" -- and Mariah Carey hovers high above "It's Only Make Believe."

But Mr. Moore's voice sounds more natural than any of their's. There has always been a resolute optimism in the way his voice rises to sustained, quivering, honey-cured high notes; now there's also a survivor's pride. JON PARELES

Sam can not only sing ...he can SANG! The strength of his voice is amazing! The collaborations and song selections are fantastic partnerships. Every track is outstanding. Be sure you have plenty of room when you hit play because you will not be able to stay in your seat!

What a voice! Where do you begin to talk about this recording? Sam is well into his 60's and this is only the second solo recording. It's been well worth the wait. With vocal guest stars ranging from Wynona to Sting, Fantasia, and Vince Gill, this is an incredible release. I fell in love with Sam's voice hearing him sing Conway Twitty's classic, "It's Only Make Believe". It's here with backing vocals by Mariah Carey and Vince Gill. I'd have purchased this for that song alone, but this release is full of treasure. Randy Jackson has done a remarkable production job with this. I'd call this the best CD I've bought in a long time! You will forget all about those "other" guys that recorded "Blame It On The Rain" after you hear Sam and Fantasia take this on. Grammy's, get ready because here comes a contender! Get this CD!!!!!

It's so great to see Sam Moore back in the spotlight again. He is such a highly underrated soul vocalist and it's a shame we haven't heard more from him.

The biggest question on everybody's mind when they buy a soul "comeback" record is whether or not the artist can still sing. Well, I can assure you there are no worries here. Like Al Green on 2002's I Can't Stop, Sam Moore sounds just as good as ever.

Although this is primarily a duets album, Sam isn't overpowerd by the guests at all. He outshines every one of them.

Opening with the soul perennial "I Can't Stand the Rain," Moore, along with Wynonna, Bekka Bramlett, Bebe Winans, and Billy Preston, get things off to a great start. The Ann Peebles original is hard to top, but like Tina Turner before him Moore does a fine job reinterpreting this classic.

Moore is reunited with Bruce Springsteen on "Better to Have and Not Need." I really liked Sam's background vocals on Springsteen's Human Touch album. (Even though the album wasn't one of Springsteen's finest) It's great to hear the two of them together again. Sam sounds stronger than Springsteen on this one.

A couple of other favorites are "Ain't No Love" with Steve Winwood and "If I Had No Loot" with Van Hunt, Nikka Costa, and Billy Gibbons on guitar. For those looking for a great younger R&B artist, I highly reccomend you check out Van Hunt's On the Jungle Floor. (Also produced by Randy Jackson) It's a very organic record full of great music.

One bittersweet duet is with Billy Preston on "You Are So Beautiful." It has to be one of Billy's last recordings. (If not the last) Al Green also recorded that song on his lastest record. (2005's incredible Everything's OK) I really like this version. It also features one of the best Eric Clapton solos I've heard in a long time.

There's lots of huge names on this album - Sting, Bon Jovi, and Mariah Carey to name a few others. All make great contributions, but Sam is the star of the show.

I saw Sam a few years ago at a 70th Birthday Tribute concert for B.B. King in Memphis. It was great to see him perform "Soul Man" and couple of others, but I just wished he had the opportunity to get back into the studio. I'm so glad he's finally been given the opportunity. He still sounds excellent.

It's so great to have another Sam Moore product that I can overlook the less-than-dazzling choice of music; his voice makes anything sparkle. And although the record company apparently thought they needed to reinforce him with more recently famous singers, I would have been more pleased with Pure Sam.

That said, it's high time Sam Moore gets a little more celebrity, and if this album attracts that kind of attention, Moore the better. I hope we will hear far Moore from this immensely talented man!

Sam Moore's voice takes you in and keeps you until well after the songs are over. The guests do not overpower him in anyway, they complement him and, yes, the album would have been great without them, but it's full of little treats with them.Vince Gill's tenor,Wynonna, Bon Jovi, Springstein, Winwood, Bramlett (now that woman can sing!). I'm 48 and my daughter is 18. She loves all kinds of rap and soul, and everything else that 18 year olds like, but she loves this album. Everytime we get into the car together she wants to hear Bramlett and Sam on "Don't Play That Song for Me". I only mention this to show that Sam can reach anybody with his soulful voice, he makes it sound so easy, it's just like breathing for him and the man is 71 years old! I hope he does more recording because I'll certainly be standing in line.

I am so impressed with this cd. It's great. It's produced by Randy Jackson and it features an impressive list of guest artists. I mean, to have people on your cd like Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton (guitar), Vince Gill and Wynonna Judd to name a few is fantastic.
The music itself is stunning and soothing and I'm totally hooked. I really love Lookin For A Love (with Jon Bon Jovi) and It's Only Make Believe (with Mariah). I can't stop playing this and his voice is as powerful as ever. I really think this cd is one that should have a wide appeal. I love it and I hope you do as much as I do. Go buy a copy.

A fantastic offering from the real king of Soul and friends every track a winner Sam Moore is still brilliant after all these years , i saw him with Dave back in the sixties and now 40 years later he is still brilliant. buy this "album " you will not be disappointed.

This is a fantastic blend of artists and done so well, this cd will easily become one of my favorites. The first time I heard it I knew instantly that I had made a good choice by buying this cd.