For any admirers of the late great soul legend Sam Cooke - these two albums are a must have, that sum up his career in 1963 and 1964 America.
The Harlem Square Club live album (1963) is raucous, improvisational and authentic to his gospel and soul roots -playing to a mostly black audience.
Conversely, Live at the Copa (1964) is more measured - even schmaltzy -and covers standards from that time including “Tennessee Waltz” and Dylans “Blowing In the Wind” (which in turn inspired Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”).
The Copa album definitely was for a crossover audience.
Either way - both albums are hugely influential and a testament to the great Sam Cooke who tragically was killed in 1964.
Sam Cooke was a pioneer and innovator in so many ways - crossing over from gospel and the Soul Stirrers to pop - and establishing his own record label SAR - to secure his own business interests and develop new artists.
In some ways Sam Cooke predated and inspired the rise of the great soul artists after his death-influencing Billy Preston , Stevie Wonder , Curtis Mayfield,Al Green , Aretha Franklin and many others.
Go check out these two great live albums from the late great Sam Cooke!
More info here:
https://www.abkco.com/store/sam-cooke-copa/