Sam's the Man for Easter

With the Soul Stirrers, in gospel before "You Send Me," Sam Cooke created some of the century's most influential vocals and music.

Longtime readers may know that I am a huge Sam Cooke admirer (see my career tribute here) and his early work with the gospel group The Soul Stirrers is on my Mount Rushmore of the century’s recorded music. Not to mention so influential for all soul music and much of rock ‘n roll that followed. So below a selection of my favorite Sam and Stirrers offerings for Good Friday and Easter, then the usual cartoons and reminder: If you have not, please subscribe, Lord help us, it’s still free!

Of course we have to start with Good Friday and peak Sam, “Were You There?”

Naturally followed by “Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone,” which includes a snatch of “Amazing Grace” (Sam’s only recorded version)

“He’s My Guide”

“The Last Mile of the Day”

Now recover with the bouncy “He’ll Welcome Me.”

Somber “Any Day Now”

Some call this the greatest live vocal of our era, from the epic 1955 recording, Shrine Auditorium, L.A., “Nearer to Thee”

“Pilgrim of Sorrow”

“Come Let Us Go Back to God”

Could add another dozen nearly as great. Your move.

Cartooning