"Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" by SAM COOKE and VARIOUS ARTISTS – Sixty-Seven-Track 2CD Long Book Compilation featuring Sour Stirrers (including Sam Cooke), R.H. Harris and His Gospel Paraders, The Womack Brothers/The Valentinos including Bobby, Curtis, Cecil, Harry, Friendly Sr. and Friendly Jr. Womack, Mel Carter, The Simms Twins, Johnnie Taylor, Johnnie Morisette, L.C. Cooke and Billy Preston - Featuring Singers, Musicians and Writers J.W. Alexander, Fred Smith, Jimmie Outler, Rene Hall, Bumps Blackwell, Alvin 'Red' Taylor, Ernest Booker, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Cliff White, Lou Rawls, Patrice Holloway and more (September 1994 US ABKCO/SAR Records 2CD Long Book Compilation in a Card Slipcase with an 86-Page Booklet, Previously Unreleased Material and Teri Landi Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sar-Records-Story-Sam-Cooke/dp/B000003BD4?crid=2X4N0MLYS66HO&keywords=018771223122&qid=1707138287&sprefix=018771223122%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=da284f507efbc8e3f25e03dd47b554c7&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Hear My Cry…"

Every now and then I take down "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" from my overcrowded Rhythm and Blues, Gospel and Soul shelves, plop the track-heavy CDs into my trusty Marantz combo – and marvel. 

Although I would admit, CD1 (especially) is top heavy with mentions of the great man in the sky and therefore might drive some listeners to drink. And for such a beautifully outfitted tribute/legacy set where obvious care and heart went into its presentation - "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" doesn't elicit rabid must-have feelings among collectors. This primarily Gospel, hybrid Rhythm and Blues and Early Soul twofer can be bought on certain sites for under seven bucks – which when you consider the audio and musical glory contained within seems like a bit of God-given deal to me.

Cooke was running a three-tier career for the period covered by this Book Set – his output with Keen Records in the mid to late Fifties where "You Send Me" had gone to No.1 (this set contains a rare Demo of it for the first time) - a 1960 signing to RCA Records towards huge Pop and Soul stardom ("Soothe Me" and "Meet Me At The Twisting Place") and this – the independently-owned SAR Records – his own record label which was a groundbreaking thing for any coloured artist of stature at that heavily segregated time. 

All the heroes of the SAR Record label are here – The Soul Stirrers Vocal Group first, of which Sam Cooke was an integral part (others singers Richard Gibbs – Paul Foster – Jimmie Outler – Le Roy Crume – J.J. Farrelly – S.R. Crain), R.H. Harris and His Gospel Paraders next (Harris was one of the original vocalists with the Stirrers) and The Womack Brothers / The Valentinos (The Womack Brothers became The Valentinos) including Bobby, Curtis, Cecil, Harry, Friendly Sr. and Friendly Jr. Womack. Then you get classy singers like Mel Carter, The Simms Twins (Bobbie and Kenny), Johnnie Taylor (ex-Soul Stirrers himself), Johnnie Morisette, L.C. Cooke (Sam's younger brother) and future Beatles-pal during the 'Abbey Road' and 'Let It Be' sessions Billy Preston (plays keyboards too). Other featured Singers, Musicians and Writers included legends like J.W. Alexander, Fred Smith, Rene Hall, Bumps Blackwell, saxophonists Alvin 'Red' Taylor and Plas Johnson, Dr. John (on Keyboards), Guitarists Johnny 'Guitar' Watson and Cliff White, Drummers Earl Palmer and Charlie Blackwell with Vocalists Lou Rawls, Patrice Holloway and loads more (all cited in the very detailed booklet). 

The compilation is also roughly broken up into the secular material on CD1 with Sam going Pop, R&B and early Soul on CD2 – CD2 also bringing in the vocal prowess of Johnnie Taylor, Johnnie Morisette and Bobby Womack – all of whom had pipes – just not as smooth as the main man. And as synchronistic timing would have it – Friday, 9 February 2024 (this week) sees a first-time US-only 4LP Vinyl Set issued for "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" on ABKCO Records 018771217619 – a limited edition almost thirty years after the digital event. Better late than never. 

In the meantime, there is a huge amount of detail to wade through on this 2CD original, so let's have at it…

US released 27 September 1994 - "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" by SAM COOKE and VARIOUS ARTISTS on ABKCO/SAR Records 2231-2 (Barcode 018771223122) is a 67-Track 2CD Long Book Compilation in a Card Slipcase with an 86-Page Booklet, Remasters and Unreleased Material that plays out as follows (all catalogue numbers are US 45-singles and LPs unless otherwise stated):

CD1 (69:42 minutes):
1. Wade in The Water (Studio Chatter) - SOUL STIRRERS - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
2. Wade In The Water – SOUL STIRRERS (April 1960, SAR Records S 103, B-side)
3. I'm A Pilgrim – SOUL STIRRERS (September 1960, SAR Records S 108, A-side, see also Track 18 for B-side)
4. Praying Ground – SOUL STIRRERS (March 1963, SAR Records S 140, A-side)
5. Somebody (Studio Chatter) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
6. Somebody – R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS (October 1962, SAR Records S-135, A-side, see also 7)
7. Sometime - R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS (October 1962, SAR Records S-135, B-side)
8. Amazing Grace – SOUL STIRRERS (from the 1963 US LP "Encore! With The Soul Stirrers" on SAR Records LPM-504 in Mono)
9. Pass Me Not – R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS (March 1962, SAR Records SAR-127, A-side)
10. Oh Mary, Don't You Weep (Studio Chatter) - SOUL STIRRERS - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
11. Oh Mary, Don't You Weep – SOUL STIRRERS (March 1964, SAR Records SAR 150, A-side, for B-side see Track 21)
12. Since I Met The Savior – SOUL STIRRERS (from the 1963 US LP "Encore! With The Soul Stirrers" on SAR Records LPM-504 in Mono – no 45)
13. God Is Standing By – SOUL STIRRERS (January 1962, SAR Records SAR 124, B-side, for A-side see Track 26)
14. Lead Me To Calvary (Rehearsal) – SOUL STIRRERS – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
15. Listen To The Angels Sing – SOUL STIRRERS (January 1961, SAR Records SAR-110, A-side)
16. Don't Leave Me Alone – SOUL STIRRERS (from the 1961 US LP "Jesus Be A Fence Around Me" on SAR Records SAR-LPM-501 in Mono)
17. Stand By Me Father – SOUL STIRRERS (September 1959 Debut 45, SAR Records SAR-101, A-side)
18. Jesus Be A Fence Around Me – SOUL STIRRERS (September 1960, written by Sam Cooke, SAR Records SAR-108, B-side to "I'm A Pilgrim", see also Track 2 for A-side)
19. Lead Me Jesus – SOUL STIRRERS (October 1961, SAR Records SAR-120, A-side)
20. Free At Last – SOUL STIRRERS (July 1963, SAR Records SAR-145, B-side of "His Love")
21. Looking Back (Studio Chatter)
22. Looking Back – SOUL STIRRERS (March 1964, SAR Records SAR 150, B-side of "Oh Mary, Don't You Weep", for A-side see Track 11)
23. Born Again – R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
24. Wait On Jesus – R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS (August 1963, SAR Records SAR-146, B-side of "Even Me")
25. Time Brings About A Change – SOUL STIRRERS (from the 1963 US LP "Encore! With The Soul Stirrers" on SAR Records LPM-504 in Mono – no 45)
26. Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone – SOUL STIRRERS (January 1962, SAR Records SAR 124, A-side, for B-side see Track 13)
27. Yield Not To Temptation (Studio Chatter)
28. Yield Not To Temptation – THE WOMACK BROTHERS (July 1961, SAR Recordings SAR 118, B-side to "Somebody's Wrong")
29. Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray – THE WOMACK BROTHERS (December 1961, SAR Records SAR 123, A-side)
30. Somewhere There's A God – THE WOMACK BROTHERS (December 1961, SAR Records SAR 123, B-side)
31. That's Heaven To Me – SAM COOKE (from the 1961 US LP "Presenting Gospel Pearls" on SAR Records SAR-LPM-503 in Mono)
NOTES ON CD1:
All Studio Chatter features SAM COOKE who is also Producer on all tracks

Tracks 1, 5, 10, 14 and 23 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Tracks 2, 3, 14 and 26 feature PAUL FOSTER on Lead Vocals
Tracks 4, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18 to 22 and 25 feature JIMMIE OUTLER on Lead Vocals
Track 17 features JOHNNIE TAYLOR on Lead Vocals
Tracks 28 and 30 feature CURTIS WOMACK on Lead Vocals
Track 29 features BOBBY WOMACK on Lead Vocals
Track 31 features SAM COOKE on Lead Vocals
Tracks 8, 12, 16, 25 and 31 are LP-Only Tracks 
Tracks 11, 22, 24, 28, 29 and 30 are 45-Single-Only Releases (as well as being singles - many tracks here presented were also featured on Mono US LPs - see list below CD2 to see which titles aren't included on these 2CDs - there's quite a few)

CD2 (77:50 minutes):
1. You Send Me (Demo) – SAM COOKE – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded 1957 at Specialty Studios)
2. Just For You – SAM COOKE (November 1961, SAR Records SAR-122, A-side – for B-side see Track 4)
3. Somewhere There's A Girl – SAM COOKE – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded 28 June 1961 at Universal Recording Chicago)
4. (You Were) Made For Me – SAM COOKE (November 1961, SAR Records SAR-122, B-side – for A-side see Track 2)
5. When A Boy Falls In Love – MEL CARTER (June 1963, Derby D-1003, A-side)
6. Soothe Me – THE SIMMS TWINS (June 1961, SAR Records SAR-117, A-side)
7. That's Where It's At (Studio Chatter) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
8. That's Where It's At – THE SIMMS TWINS (March 1963, SAR Records SAR-138, A-side)
9. Everybody Wants To Fall In Love – THE VALENTINOS (October 1964, SAR Records SAR-155, A-side)
10. Keep On Loving You – JOHNNIE TAYLOR – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded 7 December 1964, Unknown Location, Johnnie Taylor song and Production)
11. I'll Always Be In Love With You – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (October 1963, Derby D-1006, B-side of "Baby, We've Got Love" – for A-side, see Track 13)
12. Baby, We've Got Love (Studio Chatter)
13. Baby, We've Got Love – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (October 1963, Derby D-1006, A-side – for B-side, see Track 11)
14. Baby, Lots Of Luck – THE VALENTINOS (July 1963, SAR Records SAR-144, B-side of "She's So Good To Me")
15. Put Me Down Easy – L.C. COOKE (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Alternate Version of January 1964 US 45 on SAR Records SAR 148, A-side)
16. Rome (Wasn't Built In A Day) – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (April 1962, SAR Records SAR-131, A-side)
17. Greazee Part I & II – BILLY PRESTON (March 1963, Derby 1002, A&B-sides)
18. I Gopher You – THE SIMMS TWINS (October 1962, SAR Records SAR-136, A-side – for B-side see Track 28)
19. I Gopher You (Studio Chatter)  THE SIMMS TWINS (as per Track 18)
20. You're Always On My Mind – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (September 1960, SAR Records SAR-107, B-side of "Dorthy")
21. I Need Lots Of Love – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (May 1964, Derby Records 1010, B-side of "Getting Married Soon")
22. Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (March 1963, SAR Records SAR 139, A-side – an Albert King cover version)
23. Black Night – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (October 1963, SAR Records SAR 147, B-side of "I Don't Need Anybody But You")
24. Damper – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (April 1961, SAR Records SAR 113, B-side of "Don't Cry Baby")
25. You Can Run (But You Can't Hide) – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (January 1965, SAR Records SAR 156, B-side of "Oh How I Love You")
26. Meet Me At The Twisting Place (Studio Chatter) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
27. Meet Me At The Twisting Place – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (January 1962, SAR Records SAR-126, A-side)
28. Good Good Lovin' – THE SIMMS TWINS (October 1962, SAR Records SAR-136, B-side of "I Gopher You"– for A-side see Track 18)
29. The Wobble – L.C. COOKE [credited as L.C.] (April 1963, SAR Records SAR 141, A-side, written by Sam Cooke)
30. Lookin' For A Love (Studio Chatter) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
31. Lookin' For A Love -THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Bobby Womack] (June 1962, SAR Records SAR-132, A-side)
32. I've Got Love For You – THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Bobby Womack] – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
33. I've Got A Girl (Studio Chatter) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
34. I've Got A Girl – THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Bobby Womack] – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
35. Tired Of Living In The Country – THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Curtis Womack] – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
36. It's All Over Now – THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Bobby Womack] (May 1964, SAR Records SAR-152, A-side)
NOTES on CD2:
Tracks 1, 3, 7, 10, 12, 15, 19, 26, 30, 32, 33, 34 and 35 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29, 35  written by Sam Cooke
Track 3 written by Sam Cooke and Roscoe Robinson 
Track 5 written by Sam Cooke and Clinton Levert, Jr.
Track 8 written by Sam Cooke and J.W. Alexander
Track 16 written by Sam Cooke with Betty and Beverly Prudhomme
Track 34 written by Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack
Track 9 written by Bobby Womack and J.W. Alexander
Track 10 written by Johnnie Taylor
Track 14 written by John Greek and has Curtis Womack on Lead Vocals
Track 17 written by J.W Alexander, Fred Smith and Billy Preston
Track 20 written by J.W. Alexander
Track 22 is an Albert King cover version; Track 28 is a James Brown cover
Track 25 written by Johnnie Taylor
Track 31 written by J.W. Alexander and Zelda Samuels
Track 32 recorded 24 March 1962 at United Recording, Hollywood – written by Bobby Womack
Track 36 written by Bobby and Shirley Womack

MISSING LP Tracks (15 in total): 
From the 1961 US Mono LP "Jesus Be A Fence Around Me" by The Soul Stirrers on SAR Records SAR-LPM-501 – five of the twelve are not here - "Toiling On", "He's Been A Shelter For Me", "I'm Thankful", "I Love The Lord" and "He Cares".

1961 US Mono LP "Presenting Gospel Pearls" by Various Artists on SAR Records SAR-LPM-503 – five of twelve are not here - "Deep River", "I Thank God", "Heaven Is My Home", "Steal Away" and "Troublin' Mind".

1963 US Mono LP "Encore! With The Soul Stirrers" on SAR Records SAR-LPM-504 – five of ten are not here - "His Love", "No Need To Worry", "Something Here Inside", "Joy In My Soul" and "Where Jesus Is".

As you can see from the 'missing' notes above - "SAR Records Story 1959-1965" is far from being a warts n' all twofer - but you do get rare B-sides making their digital debut alongside a seriously tasty spattering of unreleased. And the fabulous TERI LANDI Remasters and Tape Preparations sound glorious - take for instance the lethal CD2 trio of Billy Preston's cool as "Green Onions" instrumental "Greazee Part I & II", the so-smooth Soul of "I Gopher You" by The Simms Twins and the gritty guitar-shuffling Blues of Johnnie Morisette shredding his throat on a cover of Albert King's "Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong" (itself followed by a brilliant "Black Night") - the audio is full, clean and wonderfully alive. Even on CD1 when you're dealing with four or five Acapella voices and minimal rhythm accompaniment - the dreaded hiss doesn't really appear. It's all clean but not dampered-down. 

The card slipcase looks good on opening but actually irritates a bit because it soon implodes on its card self once the hard-card pouch is taken out (as you can see from the photos provided my well used copy is showing worse for implosion wear). But the removable 84-page booklet is gorgeous if not a tad difficult to hold open. The period photos come on strong - Sam with Aretha Franklin - with his wife Barbara Campbell - with Bumps Blackwell - Allen Klein - gospel group beginnings with the Highway QCs (had a very young Sam Cooke) - the Soul Stirrers of course and The Pilgrim Travelers that had a great line-up including J.W. Alexander, Ernest Booker, Jesse Whitaker and Lou Rawls. All the big names associated with SAR get a page and gorgeous publicity photos - Johnnie Taylor - Billy Preston - Johnnie Morisette - L.C. Cooke - The Simms Twins - the mighty Bobby Womack etc. The text is highlighted in places to show who is being discussed (Johnny "Guitar" Watson for instance on Page 29) while the musician and reissue credits at the rear are extensive. The listen - I'll admit that I go for the more R 'n' B and Soul-Pop sides of CD2 every time - stuff like L.C. Cooke doing "The Wobble" providing me with my now-you're-doin'-it needs (Mama says Soul).  

In the liner notes (smart enough to allow those still living to have their say) – Bobby Womack talks of Cooke’s insistence on (almost) perfection. He would not accept a take or a phrase that was out of kilter and dominated (in a good way) in the control booth. You can hear this alongside the friendly rivalry and respect paid the man in the thrilling studio chatter segments – Cooke was essentially selling himself through other artists on SAR Records and he was not going to settle for rough and ready because his crew was eyeing the door or a nearby bar/jump house. As you play track-after-track – especially when you get to CD2 and his Pop career is surging – the arrangements, the players and the Production values all reek of class and commitment. 

CD2 opens with a rough demo of "You Send Me", accompanied by a strummed Martin guitar and his foot tapping – made in 1957 – history in the making. But that is whomped by his own "Just For You" – a 24 July 1959 Pop/Soul recording made at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood. Fans are then treated to a real gem – an unreleased oohing-and-aahing Soulful smoocher called "Somewhere There's A Girl" recorded June 1961 at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago and in fine audio shape (what a find). Admittedly the echoed as-sure-as-there-are-stars-above sappiness of "You Were Made For Me". Things change with the very Stylistics voice of Mel Carter as he goes full-on Cooke with "When A Boy Falls In Love" – all plucked strings and perfect rhythms. Better is another Sam Cooke cover from The Simms Twins – SAR Records SAR 117 recorded 5 June 1961 – Bobbie and Kenny Simms rise to lovely piano fills – their efforts rewarded with a rightful No.4 R&B chart position (No. 42 on Pop). 

Sam then praises The Simms Twins for great feel as we get studio chatter pre-empting their lovely "That's Where It's At" – another shuffler from the pen of Cooke and J.W. Alexander. The fantastic and distinctive lead vocals of Bobby Womack come a-sailing in when The Valentinos start a run of now-listen Soul tunes on CD2 with "Everybody Wants To Fall In Love". The brass arrangements give the sway an added punch. The unreleased Johnnie Taylor track "Keep On Loving You" is good but slightly let down by a Production that is way rougher than what has gone before (lady backing vocals doing him proud). So very Sam Cooke – Taylor does a similar-vocal cover in his interpretation of "I'll Always Be In Love With You" – good but the original is better. The brass and rhythm punch-in for "Baby, We've Got Love" – Taylor again giving it pretty lips (kiss me back) – a Sam Cooke song and Production. Unfortunately, you can hear why "Tired Of Living In The Country" was unreleased - it's adeqeute but not much else. the set is saved by Womack doing "It's All Over Now" - a tune so many would cover including The Rolling Stones and Uber admirers Rod Stewart and Faces. 

"SAR Records Story 1959-1965" romps home with a best-ever-sounding "Lookin' For A Love" and "I've Got Love For You" following in similar upbeat joyous Soul. For sure - there will be those who only want Cooke's Soulful sides ("The RCA Albums Collection" 8CD set is reviewed elsewhere) - but it would be a crime to miss all this good stuff that satellites around Sam Cooke. 

Gunned down in his early prime via a senseless tit-for-tat, Cooke's funeral in December 1964 was attended by 5,000 mourners in a church that held maybe 1,500 - such was the love and impact SC left behind. He didn't get to see a change gonna come, but personally, I'm with Rod Stewart on Sam Cooke as being the greatest vocalist ever - so I love this twofer that celebrates his spirit. If you see "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" at a good price (there is a more compact reissue that sells cheaply too) - then go for it - because his recorded legacy will send you...