DSC02478
I went to Swing & Soul last weekend. It was big fun. That's all I have to say about that. Usually event reviews detail the music, venues, and classes in order to give a recommendation or not. But what's the point in this case? I don't make it a secret that I've worked for Tena Morales (one of the event directors along with Manu Smithand Peter Strom) on afewevents, so most anything I say has to be taken with a grain of salt. Or at least it should be.
I’ve been on a live soul music kick lately and I finally picked up “Sam Cooke Live at The Harlem Square Club” after I heard Peter Strom spin “Having a Party” from this it at ILHC last year. I had such a great dance to that song that it’s part of my personal Lindy highlights from last year. I don’t know why it took me so long to get it since it’s honestly one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. From any music genre. It’s that good.
From start to finish, Sam Cooke bleeds out energy and passion into the microphone. If you didn’t already believe that this smooth crooner was the man who created Soul music, then there's no way to deny it after hearing these recordings.