Ha!
..Sam Cooke, hell yeah!
This one is tough though.
No way in hell can I pick one vocalist.
Soooo many great singers ...and many already mentioned.
Like previously said, I'd have to break it down by genre AND era.
But that would take a friggin book to write! Ha.
..well, since Palama started it off with the sweet soul sound of Cooke, I'll just add a few
in a similar vein.
First, a favorite tune of mine by Mr. Cooke
Sam Cooke - Bring it on Home to Me (w/Lou Rawls backing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6azbeWRkhoE
Now on to the competition (ha!)
William Bell - You Don't Miss Your Water (Live)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTahOvo7BbU
William Bell - I Forgot to be Your Lover
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAv_P2Z-5LU
Judy Clay & William Bell Private Number
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeuVS6vnN7w
Sam Moore and Dave Prater - Something is Wrong with My Baby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T246rhSoHes
(I know, I know, no fair! TWO fantastic voices!!)
..of course, the Reverend...
AL Green - I Can't Get Next To You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuqXvIoxpQc
How bout one I bet many of you haven't heard???
Joe Simon - Nine Pound Steel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WymJhIQrhM0
..and of course, his "Chokin' Kind"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJX_MHeMm5g
There's many more and I just don't have the time tonight.
Hard to think when you're tired too, but I agree Sam Cooke was something really special vocally. He was right up there with Sinatra. (Huge Sinatra fan too btw) But what's really mind blowing is when you realize how immensely talented the black artists were back in that era! It's truly mind blowing when you think of sheer VOLUME of talent and the hits they were cranking out. REAL talent. They didn't have any of the digital gadgets and software/effects we have today back then! It was all ANALOG. ..and not a damned thing wrong with that! But nothing "auto tuned"! Not taking anything away from the younger generation but there's a beauty in that simplicity and I don't think that can ever be captured again. We've got too many crutches to fall back on nowadays. Anyway, I'm tired and I'll end it at that.
Oh, I can't end it with that without adding one of the
greatest anthems ever written and performed. This song alone is worthy of
elevating Sam to the top of the heap...
A Change is Gonna Come
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up_e3GRV484
..that never gets old.
Peace, Love & Joy