THE SUPREMES * We Remember Sam Cooke * APRIL 1965
ABOUT THIS ALBUM
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We Remember Sam Cooke is the fifth studio album recorded by The Supremes, issued by Motown in April 1965 (see 1965 in music). The album is a tribute album dedicated to soul musician Sam Cooke, who had died the previous December. Notable selections on the album, consisting entirely of Cooke covers, included covers of “A Change Is Gonna Come“, “You Send Me“ and “(Ain’t That) Good News” (led by Florence Ballard).
It was the second most successful in a series of themed albums enjoying a #5 peak on the Billboard R&B chart. It showcased the versatility of the group with a Brit-pop album under their belt, as well as, a country and western-themed album. According to Motown data, this album managed to sell over 325,000 copies. (Source: WiKipedia)
THE SUPREMES
WE REMEMBER SAM COOKE
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“OCCASIONALLY in any field of endeavor there arises upon the scene so unique and unusual that critics as well and disciples alike immediately take notice. Sometimes it takes that talent years to grow and mature to its full height. On other occasions the rise to the zenith is like a shooting star. Always, however, that rise is an absolute predictable and foreseeable event. Such a man was Sam Cooke, his very existence exploding with the pent up creativity that was his natural gift, striving ever in the allied fields.
A composer and lyricist of unusual talent, he seemed to have a finger on the pulse of the times . . . being that fortunate artist who usually did not have to look for material because he created his own.
With his eye to the future with a well planned approach, Sam Cooke breached the beach the beachheads from his early R&B oriented approaches to the mature and additional vistas available; witness his outstanding success at the Copacabana and class clubs of like nature.
His untimely passing, if on this basis alone, shocked the entire music world. To his contemporaries not only was a creator of originality but likewise he was a real person. To have this young, successful and ‘great’ removed from the scene was a fact of total incongruity that was first reaction who knew, respected and loved him was one of disbelief.
Rising somewhat in a parallel spiral, but dominated by their artistic creativity, the Supremes in their own way have reached unbelievable heights of acceptance and success. Nothing they or any of us can do will bring back Sam Cooke, the man, the artist, the creator. But more than just paying respect to Sam Cooke they are, in their way, doing what Sam Cooke would have wanted them to do . . . bring music into this world. Sam Cook’s creativity in the form of his renown compositions . . . the Supremes with their unsurpassed artistry . . . a Tribute to Sam Cooke.
In a way he will live forever. He saw to it, he made it that way.” — Scott St. James (Source of notes: LP B-side; ‘We Remember Sam Cooke’)
