Solomon Burke | ||
| Allmusic Biography : While Solomon Burke never made a major impact upon the pop audience -- he never, in fact, had a Top 20 hit -- he was an important early soul pioneer. On his 60s singles for Atlantic, he brought a country influence into R&B;, with emotional phrasing and intricately constructed, melodic ballads and midtempo songs. At the same time, he was surrounded with sophisticated "uptown" arrangements and was provided with much of his material by his producers, particularly Bert Berns. The combination of gospel, pop, country, and production polish was basic to the recipe of early soul. While Burke wasnt the only one pursuing this path, not many others did so as successfully. And he, like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett, was an important influence upon the Rolling Stones, who covered Burkes "Cry to Me" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" on their early albums. Burke came by his gospel roots even more deeply than most soul stars. He was preaching at his familys Philadelphia church and hosting his own gospel radio show even before hed reached his teens. He began recording gospel and R&B; sides for Apollo in the mid- to late 50s. Like several former gospel singers (Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett), he was molded into a more secular direction when he signed with Atlantic in the 60s. Burke had a wealth of high-charting R&B; hits in the early half of the 60s, which crossed over to the pop listings in a mild fashion as well. "Just Out of Reach," "Cry to Me," "If You Need Me," "Got to Get You Off My Mind," "Tonights the Night," and "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" were the most successful of these, although, unlike Franklin or Pickett, he wasnt able to expand his R&B; base into a huge pop following as well. He left Atlantic in the late 60s and spent the next decade hopping between various labels, getting his biggest hit with a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revivals "Proud Mary" in 1969, and recording an album in the late 70s with cult soulster Swamp Dogg as producer. From the 80s through the first decade of the new millennium, Burke became one of the most visible living exponents of classic soul music, continuing to tour and record albums in a rootsy, at times gospel-ish style. Although these were critically well-received, their stylistic purity also ensured that their market was primarily confined to roots music enthusiasts, rather than a pop audience. His live and later recorded work, however, is a favorite of those who want to experience a soul legend with his talents and stylistic purity relatively intact. Burkes 2002 release Dont Give Up on Me was hailed as a major comeback for the legendary soul man. Great songwriters like Elvis Costello, Dan Penn, Nick Lowe, and Tom Waits contributed songs, and Joe Henry produced the album, which has been compared to Johnny Cashs landmark American Recordings. After the critical success of Dont Give Up on Me reaffirmed Burkes status as one of the greatest living exponents of classic soul, the singer teamed up with producer Don Was for Make Do with What You Got, an updated variation on his classic style that was released in spring 2005. A year later, Burke released an interesting country and soul hybrid, Nashville, on Shout! Factory. A second album on the label, Like a Fire, followed in 2008. Burke next reunited with producer Willie Mitchell for Nothing’s Impossible, which was released shortly after Mitchell’s death in 2010 by Koch Records’ E1 Music. In October of 2009, Burke teamed up with Dutch Soul band De Dijk for recording sessions that would become his final album: Hold on Tight. Sadly, Burke died on October 10, 2010 upon arrival at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, The Netherlands where the soul legend was scheduled to perform at a sold-out show at the citys Paradiso concert hall with De Dijk. Hold on Tight was eventually released in March 2011. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 39 Title: Solomon Burke Released: 1960 Tracks: 12 Duration: 29:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 No Man Walks Alone (02:23) 2 Why Do Me That Way (02:49) 3 You Are My One Love (02:30) 4 Dont Cry (02:12) 5 Im All Alone (02:12) 6 A Picture of You (02:10) 7 Walking in a Dream (02:21) 8 For You and You Alone (02:15) 9 Im in Love (02:31) 10 To Thee (03:04) 11 I Need You Tonight (02:41) 12 You Can Run, but You Cant Hide (02:34) |
| Solomon Burke : Allmusic album Review : The early hits that made Solomon Burke a new force on the soul scene. His quavering delivery, robust sound, and huge presence had both the emphatic earnestness of gospel and the celebratory spirit of soul. Burke strained, roared, sighed, and exploded on his early hits, telling masterful stories and making each song a total experience. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 39 Title: Solomon Burkes Greatest Hits Released: 1962 Tracks: 12 Duration: 28:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Down in the Valley (02:27) 2 Just Out of Reach (of My Two Open Arms) (02:44) 3 How Many Times (02:20) 4 Baby (I Wanna Be Loved) (02:00) 5 Gotta Travel On (02:11) 6 Looking for My Baby (02:21) 7 Im Hanging Up My Heart for You (03:07) 8 Cry to Me (02:32) 9 I Almost Lost My Mind (02:19) 10 A Tear Fell (02:36) 11 Be Bop Grandma (02:14) 12 Keep the Magic Working (02:05) |
| Solomon Burke's Greatest Hits : Allmusic album Review : Solomon Burkes booming, magnificent vocals and dramatic approach were particularly effective on a string of great early-60s tracks. The lyrics, production, and setting blended soul and country elements, and Burke was the ideal singer to convey the two genres similarities. This includes the epic tracks "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" and "Just out of Reach (Of My Empty Arms)." | ||
 | Album: 3 of 39 Title: If You Need Me Released: 1963 Tracks: 12 Duration: 30:16 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 If You Need Me (02:34) 2 Words (02:28) 3 Stupidity (01:56) 4 Go on Back to Him (02:55) 5 I Said I Was Sorry (02:27) 6 Its All Right (02:30) 7 Home in Your Heart (02:06) 8 I Really Dont Want to Know (03:33) 9 You Can Make It If You Try (02:27) 10 Send Me Some Loving (02:23) 11 This Little Ring (02:35) 12 Tonight My Heart She Is Crying (02:17) |
| If You Need Me : Allmusic album Review : This early Solomon Burke album is named for the opening cut, his take on Wilson Picketts "If You Need Me," which was a successful single for Burke, almost reaching number one on the R&B; charts. Recorded between late 1959 and early 1963, these mostly mid-tempo songs find Burkes somewhat gritty pleas at home in sultry, bluesy surroundings ("Send Me Some Loving") and sweetened up for the occasional exotica-tinged arrangement ("Tonight My Heart She Is Crying"). Its unfortunate that the sound was not remastered for the late-90s reissue by Sequel. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 39 Title: Rock n Soul Released: 1964 Tracks: 12 Duration: 34:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) (03:19) 2 Cry to Me (02:33) 3 Wont You Give Him (One More Chance) (02:33) 4 If You Need Me (02:33) 5 Hard Aint It (02:46) 6 Cant Nobody Love You (02:33) 7 Just Out of Reach (02:50) 8 Youre Good for Me (02:50) 9 You Cant Love Them All (02:41) 10 Someone to Love Me (03:04) 11 Beautiful Brown Eyes (03:47) 12 He’ll Have to Go (03:19) |
| Rock 'n Soul : Allmusic album Review : Solomon Burkes first album for Atlantic Records features three bona fide hits and other treats done as only the soulful, preaching singer with croon-ability can. He defies pigeonholing. Nobody ever talks of what range Burke sings in because it doesnt matter. Like Michael Jordan or Allen Iverson on the basketball court, Burke makes you feel like hes capable of anything and everything in the studio. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 39 Title: I Almost Lost My Mind Released: 1964 Tracks: 10 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Almost Lost My Mind (?) 2 Down in the Valley (?) 3 Beautiful Brown Eyes (?) 4 Youre Good for Me (?) 5 Home in Your Heart (?) 6 Cant Nobody Love You (?) 7 Keep the Magic Working (?) 8 Cry to Me (?) 9 Words (?) 10 How Many Times (?) |
 | Album: 6 of 39 Title: I Wish I Knew Released: 1968 Tracks: 10 Duration: 32:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free) (02:51) 2 Get Out of My Life Woman (03:20) 3 Meet Me in Church (03:36) 4 By the Time I Get to Phoenix (02:57) 5 Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye (03:04) 6 Whatd I Say (04:47) 7 Since I Met You Baby (03:47) 8 Save It (02:26) 9 Shame on Me (03:34) 10 Why, Why, Why (02:25) |
| I Wish I Knew : Allmusic album Review : I Wish I Knew, Solomon Burkes final album for longtime home label Atlantic, is a desperate mix of R&B; oldies, sappy contemporary tunes and a scurrying search for style in the storm. Burke was in the middle of a cultural revolution when this album was made; soul music now crashed with such sonic force to keep up with pops psychedelic trippings that Burkes blend of Sam Cooke-like cooing and Sunday-morning fervor seemed a bit quaint. The seasoning of I Wish I Knew is misguided at best. Theres a forced "grooviness" to the tunes that makes them dusty relics of their era and a somewhat desolate end to a golden age of R&B.; Burke sounds fine throughout (his singing, in fact, is nearly as fervent as it was on the previous years treasure King Solomon), but aside from "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free)," too much of the album stinks of period goo. (Later reissued by Koch with King Solomon.) | ||
 | Album: 7 of 39 Title: King Solomon Released: 1968 Tracks: 12 Duration: 33:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Its Been a Change (02:09) 2 Take Me (Just as I Am) (02:58) 3 Time Is a Thief (02:41) 4 Keep a Light in the Window (03:21) 5 Baby, Come on Home (03:17) 6 Detroit City (02:54) 7 Someone Is Watching (02:50) 8 Party People (02:38) 9 When She Touches Me (Nothing Else Matters) (02:37) 10 Woman, How Do You Make Me Love You Like You Do (02:47) 11 Its Just a Matter of Time (02:45) 12 Presents for Christmas (02:40) |
 | Album: 8 of 39 Title: Cool Breeze Released: 1972 Tracks: 12 Duration: 32:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Cool Breeze (03:04) 2 PSR 1983 (04:15) 3 The Bus (02:11) 4 Love Affair (02:14) 5 Icbyatht W.T.? (03:18) 6 Get Up and Do Something for Yourself (03:57) 7 Love’s Street and Fool’s Road (03:12) 8 It Must Be Love (02:26) 9 Fight Back (01:57) 10 Then I Want to Come Home (instrumental) (01:33) 11 Then I Want to Come Home (vocal) (01:33) 12 We’re Almost Home (02:24) |
 | Album: 9 of 39 Title: Electronic Magnetism Released: 1972 Tracks: 11 Duration: 40:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Electronic Magnetism (Thats Heavy, Baby) (03:28) 2 Three Psalms of Elton: 1 Your Song, 2 Border Song, 3 Take Me to the Pilot (03:17) 3 You Can Run but You Cant Hide (02:45) 4 All for the Love of Sunshine (04:20) 5 Bridge of Life (02:47) 6 Together Well Light Up the World (05:53) 7 Stand (02:55) 8 PSR 1983 (04:18) 9 Lookin Out My Back Door (03:59) 10 No Man Walks Alone (02:38) 11 J.C. I Know Who You Are (04:27) |
 | Album: 10 of 39 Title: I Have a Dream Released: 1974 Tracks: 9 Duration: 34:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Have a Dream (03:31) 2 Now Is the Time (04:06) 3 Looking for a Sing (03:11) 4 Ring, Ring, Ring (03:33) 5 We Can Be Together Again (03:47) 6 Social Change (03:26) 7 I Aint Gonna Give Up (Till I Find a Way) (03:20) 8 Mountain Top (04:17) 9 Medley: Precious Lord, Take My Hand; We Shall Overcome (05:43) |
 | Album: 11 of 39 Title: Music To Make Love By Released: 1975 Tracks: 9 Duration: 36:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Music to Make Love By (Part 1) (02:53) 2 Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You (04:02) 3 Come Rain or Come Shine (03:44) 4 You and Your Baby Blues (05:49) 5 All the Way (04:31) 6 Thanks, I Needed That (04:29) 7 Everlasting Love (04:12) 8 Midnight and You (04:01) 9 Music to Make Love By (Part 2) (02:43) |
| Music To Make Love By : Allmusic album Review : This is not a good album. Its doubtful that any of the participants involved in Music to Make Love By, from the rhythm track "designers" to the spiritual consultants to Solomon Burke himself, remember making this album. Perhaps that was their intention, to craft a work that would ease into the background as the listeners became more involved with other matters at hand, in which case the album is a resounding success. And who could argue that a man with 21 kids doesnt know something about romance? There is always something redeeming about a Solomon Burke release, and his Barry White-inspired rap on "Music to Make Love By, Pts. 1 & 2" is worth a low-priced admission. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 39 Title: Sidewalks, Fences and Walls Released: 1979 Tracks: 7 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Yes I Love You (?) 2 Heavenly (?) 3 Does Life Have a Meaning (?) 4 Sweeter Than Sweetness (?) 5 Sidewalks, Fences and Walls (?) 6 Boo Hoo Hoo (Cra-Cra-Craya) (?) 7 Hold on Im Coming (?) |
 | Album: 13 of 39 Title: Soul Alive! Released: 1984 Tracks: 10 Duration: 1:10:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Introduction/Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (04:41) 2 Medley: Tonights the Night/Beautiful Brown Eyes/Just a Matter of Time/Monologue/Hold What Youve Got/Hell Have To Go (17:06) 3 Cry To Me (02:13) 4 Medley: Monologue/Take Me/I Cant Stop Loving You (15:30) 5 Down in the Valley (03:37) 6 Proud Mary (03:24) 7 Introduction to Encore/Gotta Get You Off My Mind (01:05) 8 Medley: Meet Me In Church/The Price/Words/Monologue (09:02) 9 Medley: Youre Good For Me (07:06) 10 Medley: Gotta Get You Off My Mind/Having A Party/Amen (06:43) |
 | Album: 14 of 39 Title: A Change Is Gonna Come Released: 1986 Tracks: 9 Duration: 42:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love Buys Love (05:06) 2 Got to Get Myself Some Money (04:58) 3 Let It Be You and Me (03:05) 4 Love Is All That Matters (03:17) 5 Dont Tell Me What a Man Wont Do for a Woman (04:06) 6 A Change Is Gonna Come (07:34) 7 Here We Go Again (06:46) 8 It Dont Get No Better Than This (04:01) 9 When a Man Loves a Woman (03:19) |
| A Change Is Gonna Come : Allmusic album Review : While he wasnt scoring chart hits anymore, Burke hadnt lost any of his prowess by the mid-80s. He cut one of the decades great soul statements for Rounder in 1985. Its available on CD, and should be a revelation for anyone unaware of Burkes singing and performing zeal. His oral narratives were as smashing and memorable as his vocals, and the assembled band included a super three-piece horn section led by alto, tenor and baritone saxophonist Foots Samuel. This was no nostalgia trip, but a contemporary soul journey that retains its appeal years after its initial release. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 39 Title: The Best of Solomon Burke Released: 1989 Tracks: 20 Duration: 54:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Its Allright (02:31) 2 This Little Thing (02:35) 3 Just Out of Reach (02:45) 4 Cry to Me (02:30) 5 Down in the Valley (02:26) 6 Im Hanging Up My Heart for You (03:08) 7 Baby (I Wanna Be Loved) (02:00) 8 I Really Dont Want to Know (03:34) 9 Home in Your Heart (02:07) 10 Words (02:29) 11 Goodbye Baby (03:24) 12 If You Need Me (02:33) 13 Someone to Love Me (03:04) 14 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (02:53) 15 The Price (02:44) 16 Got to Get You Off My Mind (01:59) 17 Tonights the Night (02:48) 18 Someone Is Watching (02:53) 19 Its Been a Change (02:18) 20 Keep a Light in the Window (03:23) |
| The Best of Solomon Burke : Allmusic album Review : Solomon Burke built his reputation on these early Atlantic sides, which were corralled by the label for an early greatest-hits collection that father time and a slew of CD compilations have made obsolete. Burke was the epitome of Southern soul up north, as is evident on "Got to Get You off My Mind," a bluesy shuffler with a southern-drawl tempo. A cover of Wilson Picketts "If You Need Me" brought comparisons galore between the two soul singers; after years of listening, its still impossible to pick a clear-cut favorite and the Pickett-or-Burke debate goes on. "Cry to Me" established the paradigm for Southern soul ballads and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," a jump with 50s R&B genes, remains the most popular song in the singer/preachers repertoire; he even managed to squeeze it in on Emeril Lagasses cooking show. Even if youre turntable-challenged, this is still a great LP to find at flea markets, Goodwill stores, oldie stores, or somebodys attic. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 39 Title: Home Land Released: 1991 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Baby Please Dont Cry (04:03) 2 Try a Little Tenderness (04:26) 3 I Dont Need Nobody (03:52) 4 Make It Up to You (04:22) 5 Stayin Away (03:44) 6 Home Land (05:07) 7 Ill Be There (04:40) 8 Love Aint No Easy Place to Be (03:42) 9 Youre Gonna Love Me (03:39) 10 What Ive Got to Do (04:04) |
 | Album: 17 of 39 Title: The Best Of Released: 1992 Tracks: 16 Duration: 45:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Got to Get You Off My Mind (02:36) 2 Wont You Give Him (One More Chance) (02:34) 3 Cant Nobody Love You (02:30) 4 Hell Have to Go (03:19) 5 Just Out of Reach (02:52) 6 Cry to Me (02:40) 7 If You Need Me (02:36) 8 Tonights the Night (02:47) 9 The Price (02:47) 10 Hard, Aint It Hard (02:47) 11 Youre Good for Me (02:48) 12 Beautiful Brown Eyes (03:49) 13 Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) (03:21) 14 Words (02:27) 15 Someone to Love Me (03:02) 16 Down in the Valley (02:36) |
 | Album: 18 of 39 Title: Home in Your Heart Released: 1992-04-21 Tracks: 41 Duration: 1:55:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Home in Your Heart (02:05) 2 Down in the Valley (02:26) 3 Looking for My Baby (02:24) 4 Im Hanging Up My Heart for You (03:04) 5 Cry to Me (02:33) 6 Just Out of Reach (02:42) 7 Goodbye Baby (03:22) 8 Words (02:28) 9 Stupidity (01:55) 10 Send Me Some Lovin (02:21) 11 Go on Back to Him (02:55) 12 Baby, I Wanna Be Loved (01:59) 13 Cant Nobody Love You (02:33) 14 Got to Get You Off My Mind (01:57) 15 Someone to Love Me (03:04) 16 Youre Good for Me (02:50) 17 Dance, Dance, Dance (02:43) 18 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (02:45) 19 Tonights the Night (02:47) 20 Baby, Come on Home (03:20) 21 If You Need Me (02:32) 22 The Price (02:45) 1 Get Out of My Life Woman (03:20) 2 Save It (02:22) 3 Take Me (Just as I Am) (03:01) 4 When She Touch Me (02:41) 5 I Wish I Knew (02:49) 6 Party People (02:36) 7 Keep a Light in the Window (03:24) 8 I Feel a Sin Coming On (02:48) 9 Meet Me in Church (03:33) 10 Someone Is Watching (02:52) 11 Detroit City (02:49) 12 Shame on Me (03:31) 13 I Stayed Away Too Long (02:38) 14 Its Just a Matter of Time (02:57) 15 Since I Met You Baby (03:45) 16 Time Is a Thief (02:44) 17 Woman, How do You Make Me Love You Like I Do (02:50) 18 Its Been a Change (02:15) 19 Whatd I Say (04:47) |
 | Album: 19 of 39 Title: Soul of the Blues Released: 1993 Tracks: 12 Duration: 54:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 My Babe (05:11) 2 Good Rockin Tonight (05:29) 3 Sufferin Mind (03:57) 4 Letter From My Darling (05:03) 5 Dont Deceive Me (03:38) 6 Candy (04:11) 7 Crawdad Hole (02:59) 8 Along About Midnight (04:06) 9 Pledging My Love (04:23) 10 Lonesome Highway (04:50) 11 Street Walking Woman (03:42) 12 No Nights by Myself (06:37) |
| Soul of the Blues : Allmusic album Review : Solomon Burke could probably sing the want ads from last weeks paper and make them sound powerfully soulful, but he had an easier task on this album, in which he adapted a dozen classic blues numbers to his epic-scale R&B; style. Burke would probably have preferred livelier material than much of what he gets on Soul of the Blues, especially "Sufferin Mind" and "Candy," which almost give the man a bit more room to stretch out than he needs, and while the arrangements on this set are ambitious and full-bodied, theyre also founded on a lot of contemporary blues clichés and sometimes lack the drama and punch Burke deserves. But no one has ever accused Burke of not knowing how to sell a song, and the man is in typically superb form here; he sounds nothing less than joyous as he rolls through "Good Rockin Tonight," he brings a potent and powerful gospel undertow to "Letter from My Darling," and he all but steals "Pledging My Love" away from Johnny Ace. Soul of the Blues captures the sound of Solomon Burke dipping his toes in a traditional blues style with the passion and conviction he always brings to his music, and its a fascinating side trip for one of souls greatest voices; if there are minor flaws in the production and arrangements, that has nothing to do with the glory of Burkes voice. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 39 Title: Live at the House of Blues Released: 1994 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:11:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Introduction - Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (02:37) 2 Medley: If You Need Me / Tonights the Night / I Almost Lost My Mind (07:48) 3 Cruel World (08:51) 4 Cry to Me (01:59) 5 Candy / Candy Rap (12:08) 6 Got to Get You Off My Mind (07:46) 7 No More Nights by Myself (06:41) 8 Aint Nobodys Business (04:53) 9 Down in the Valley (03:42) 10 I Want a Little Girl (04:08) 11 Medley: Beautiful Brown Eyes / Just a Matter of Time (05:25) 12 Good Rockin Tonight (05:15) |
 | Album: 21 of 39 Title: The King of Soul Released: 1994-02-01 Tracks: 8 Duration: 33:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Boo Hoo Hoo (04:36) 2 Hold on Im Coming (03:45) 3 Sweeter Than Sweetness (03:27) 4 Sidewalks, Fences and Walls (04:56) 5 Let the Love Flow (06:17) 6 The More (03:44) 7 Lucky (03:01) 8 Please Come Back Home to Me (04:06) |
| The King of Soul : Allmusic album Review : Although he never came close to having a Top Twenty pop hit, soul pioneer Solomon Burke has had a steady and pervasive influence on every subsequent soul singer one can think of, from Otis Redding to Al Green and beyond. In the late 1970s Burke recorded eight tracks with cult soul producer Swamp Dogg, including the impressive "The More," and those eight tracks have been released several times under different titles and sequences, including as King of Rock n Soul from Black Top in 1981, as From the Heart from Charly in 1980, as Let Your Love Flow from Shanachie in 1993, as Soulman from Fruit Tree in 2003, and in this configuration as King of Soul, again from Charly. Truthfully, its a rather minor set, but "The More," which shows clearly where Al Green learned a thing or two, is definitely worth seeking out for a listen. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 39 Title: The Definition of Soul Released: 1997-02-11 Tracks: 11 Duration: 53:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Why Cant We Come Together (04:42) 2 Your Time to Cry (03:50) 3 Sweet Spirit (07:02) 4 Youre the One (03:38) 5 Just for You (04:50) 6 Oooooo You (04:06) 7 Everybodys Got a Game (05:23) 8 Today Is Your Birthday (03:52) 9 Use Me, but Leave My Mind Alone (04:10) 10 Its So Hard (05:36) 11 Nobody but You (05:48) |
 | Album: 23 of 39 Title: The Very Best of Solomon Burke Released: 1998-02-03 Tracks: 16 Duration: 46:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Just Out of Reach (of My Two Open Arms) (02:50) 2 Cry to Me (02:35) 3 Down in the Valley (02:34) 4 Im Hanging Up My Heart for You (03:05) 5 If You Need Me (02:35) 6 Cant Nobody Love You (02:34) 7 Youre Good for Me (03:04) 8 Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) (03:15) 9 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (02:45) 10 The Price (02:48) 11 Got to Get You Off My Mind (02:34) 12 Tonight’s the Night (02:40) 13 Someone Is Watching (02:59) 14 Take Me (Just as I Am) (03:05) 15 I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free) (03:01) 16 Soul Meeting (03:33) |
| The Very Best of Solomon Burke : Allmusic album Review : The Very Best of Solomon Burke is an excellent 16-track collection that features his biggest hits from 1961-1968, including "Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)," "Cry to Me," "Down in the Valley," "Im Hanging Up My Heart for You," "If You Need Me," "Youre Good for Me," "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)," and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love." All of his best-known songs in their hit versions are available on this concise, affordable disc, not always in strict release order but still an education in and of themselves -- the tracks all come from the first generation original single masters, many of which were remixed or even shunted aside in favor of re-recorded versions for his albums during the 1960s, including his greatest-hits and best-of collections. The producers spent the time to track down those long-unused and forgotten originals for this, their first authentic representation on CD. Additionally, the 16th song is a true diamond among the R&B; treasures here -- the June 1968 single "Soul Meeting" cut by the Soul Clan, which consisted of Burke, Arthur Conley, Don Covay, Ben E. King, and Joe Tex, the super-session product of a short-lived experiment in raising money for the black community. This is the only appearance of this Don Covay-authored track on CD, and makes this release essential even for those who already own the 1992 double-CD set Home In Your Heart. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 39 Title: King of Rock n Soul Released: 1998-03-03 Tracks: 9 Duration: 45:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Good Rockin Tonight (05:28) 2 My Babe (05:10) 3 Lonesome Highway (04:50) 4 Letter From My Darling (05:02) 5 Street Walkin Woman (03:41) 6 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (02:40) 7 Medley: If You Need Me / Tonights the Night / I Almost Lost My Mind (07:54) 8 Down in the Valley (05:00) 9 Got to Get You Off My Mind (06:14) |
 | Album: 25 of 39 Title: If You Need Me / Rock n Soul Released: 1998-08-11 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:02:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 If You Need Me (02:34) 2 Words (02:28) 3 Stupidity (01:56) 4 Go on Back to Him (02:55) 5 I Said I Was Sorry (02:27) 6 Its All Right (02:30) 7 Home in Your Heart (02:06) 8 I Really Dont Want to Know (03:33) 9 You Can Make It If You Try (02:27) 10 Send Me Some Loving (02:23) 11 This Little Ring (02:35) 12 Tonight My Heart She Is Crying (02:17) 13 Goodbye Baby (03:22) 14 Cry to Me (02:33) 15 Wont You Give Him (One More Chance) (02:33) 16 Hard Aint It Hard (02:49) 17 Cant Nobody Love You (02:33) 18 Youre Good for Me (02:50) 19 Just Out of Reach (02:50) 20 You Cant Love Em All (02:46) 21 Someone to Love Me (03:04) 22 Beautiful Brown Eyes (03:47) 23 He’ll Have to Go (03:19) |
| If You Need Me / Rock 'n Soul : Allmusic album Review : Collectables CD If You Need Me/Rock N Soul contains two original Solomon Burke albums on one CD. Both of the albums are terrific records, filled with passionate performances and excellent songs, making the disc an essential purchase for dedicated Burke collectors, even if the remastering and packaging are a little shoddy. | ||
 | Album: 26 of 39 Title: Proud Mary: The Bell Sessions Released: 2000-07-18 Tracks: 17 Duration: 49:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Proud Mary (03:24) 2 These Arms of Mine (02:57) 3 Ill Be Doggone (02:57) 4 How Big a Fool (Can a Fool Be) (02:16) 5 Dont Wait Too Long (03:12) 6 That Lucky Old Sun (03:01) 7 Upthight Good Woman (02:47) 8 I Cant Stop (02:28) 9 Please Send Me Someone to Love (03:01) 10 What Am I Living For (02:56) 11 She Thinks I Still Care (03:19) 12 Im Gonna Stay Right Here (02:47) 13 The Generation of Revelations (02:31) 14 In the Ghetto (03:42) 15 God Knows I Love You (02:52) 16 The Mighty Quinn (03:02) 17 A Change Is Gonna Come (02:33) |
| Proud Mary: The Bell Sessions : Allmusic album Review : This is a somewhat spruced-up version of Burkes 1969 Proud Mary album, containing all of the songs from that LP, and adding seven bonus cuts from 1969-70 singles and outtakes. Burke kept pace with changing soul and rock trends fairly well on Proud Mary, which has a funkier, bluesier deep soul feel than his more famous early- and mid-1960s Atlantic material. That feel didnt come about by total accident, of course; the record was recorded at Muscle Shoals, where he could sing with the areas esteemed session musicians, rather than the uptown New York players hed worked with at Atlantic. Theres a bit of a sense of Burke following the crowd rather than blazing his own path, and the song selection is a bit unimaginative (not that this was an unusual happenstance on soul albums). Still, even those are given respectable readings, and Burke also tackles a couple of songs Dan Penn co-penned, in addition to waxing one of his own, "How Big a Fool (Can a Fool Be)," which has that thin electric sitar-guitar hybrid sound peculiar to some pop-soul discs of the era. The bonus tracks are pretty interesting, including previously unissued covers of Bob Dylans "The Mighty Quinn" and Sam Cookes "Change Is Gonna Come," along with some non-LP singles that showed Burke absorbing (as he had on the Proud Mary album) some contemporary rock influences. His own "The Generation of Revelations," a 1969 single, made some fashionable lyrical bows to the counterculture; an odd 1970 single matched a post-Elvis Presley cover of "In the Ghetto" with the gospel rock of "God Knows I Love You," written by the unusual songwriting team of Delaney Bramlett and "In the Ghetto" composer Mac Davis. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 39 Title: Dont Give Up on Me Released: 2002 Tracks: 11 Duration: 52:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Dont Give Up on Me (03:47) 2 Fast Train (05:45) 3 Diamond in Your Mind (04:26) 4 Flesh and Blood (06:09) 5 Soul Searchin (04:01) 6 Only a Dream (05:11) 7 The Judgement (03:32) 8 Stepchild (05:12) 9 The Other Side of the Coin (03:48) 10 None of Us Are Free (05:31) 11 Sit This One Out (04:33) |
| Don't Give Up on Me : Allmusic album Review : Its a sad irony that in the 1980s and 90s, many of the great artists of soul and R&B; suffered musically at the hands of those who professed to love them the most. After soul had dropped off the major-label radar in favor of hip-hop and new jack sounds, a number of smaller companies stepped forward to record veteran artists who were still giving their all on the road, but for every truly inspired release from labels such as Malaco, Bullseye, or Alligator, there were a dozen others which featured rote, generic production and arrangements which attempted to recapture the thrilling sound of souls glory days without coming within driving distance of conjuring their ineffable magic. Solomon Burke was one of the greatest talents of 60s soul, whose strong, burnished voice resonated with a churchy fervor that could speak volumes about either triumph or hurt, but while he continued to record regularly through the 70s, 80s and 90s and always sounded splendid, the records themselves often werent much to write home about, with Burke using his gifts to prop up second-rate material or re-record tunes hed performed definitively in the past. So its good news indeed to report that Burkes new album, Dont Give Up on Me, is nothing short of revelatory, a superb set which presents "the King of Rock and Soul" at the very top of his form. Singer and songwriter Joe Henry produced the set, and rather than trying to replicate the sound of a vintage Jerry Wexler session, hes taken a very different approach, going for a spare and open sound, with nothing but a subdued rhythm section, a guitar, and an organ (the latter played by Rudy Copeland, who performs the same honors at the church where Burke preaches) accompanying Burke on most of these 11 songs. Henry also put out a call for material worthy of Burkes gifts, and a number of his better-known fans responded, including Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Brian Wilson, and Nick Lowe, all of whom contributed songs to the project. But for all the songwriting starpower on deck, the focus is squarely on Solomon Burke throughout, and he proves hes lost none of the power, force, or dramatic intensity of his glory days. Henrys low-key production captures the nooks and crannies of Burkes voice, and he delivers a performance worthy of a great actor on each cut, from the deep soul of "Dont Give Up on Me" and the blues-based swagger of "Stepchild" to the inspired tall tales of "Diamond in Your Mind" and the near-operatic passion of "The Judgement." His voice is in superb shape, too, sounding no less powerful at age 66 than he did in his glory days, and with a depth of emotion and gift for phrasing thats only grown with the passage of time. In many ways, Dont Give Up on Me most closely resembles Johnny Cashs superb American Recordings, in that the spare simplicity of the albums presentation reveals the rich complexities of the singers gifts as theyve rarely been allowed in the past; while its a very different kettle of fish from his classic sides for Atlantic in the 1960s, Dont Give up on Me leaves no doubt that Solomon Burke is still one of the finest voices of his time, and anyone who has ever been moved by the power of soul music needs to hear this album. | ||
 | Album: 28 of 39 Title: The Incredible Solomon Burke at His Best Released: 2002 Tracks: 13 Duration: 59:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Please Dont Say Goodbye to Me (04:35) 2 See That Girl (04:26) 3 Yes, I Love You (05:01) 4 Heavenly (05:32) 5 Does Life Have a Meaning (04:50) 6 Please Come Back Home to Me (04:09) 7 Boo Hoo Hoo (Cra-Cra-Craya) (04:46) 8 The More (03:53) 9 Hold on Im Coming (03:47) 10 Let the Love Flow (06:28) 11 Sidewalks, Fences & Walls (05:04) 12 Sweeter Than Sweetness (03:34) 13 Lucky (03:03) |
 | Album: 29 of 39 Title: Soul Lucky Released: 2004 Tracks: 11 Duration: 44:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Boo Hoo (Cry Over You) (04:33) 2 Lucky (03:03) 3 Hold On Im Coming (03:46) 4 Please Come Back To Me (04:05) 5 The More (03:42) 6 Sidewalks, Fences And Walls (04:52) 7 Sweeter Than Sweetness (03:27) 8 Let Your Love Flow (06:15) 9 Music to Make Love By (02:36) 10 Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You (04:09) 11 Everlasting Love (04:15) |
| Soul Lucky : Allmusic album Review : Produced by Jerry Williams (aka the R&B; singer Swamp Dogg) and originally released in the late 1970s as HOLD ON, this highly polished collection, reissued in 2006 with several additional tracks, features the flamboyant singer working his magic on a selection of disco-oriented stompers like Sam & Daves "Hold on, Im Coming," as well as on Barry White-style slow-burners like "Everlasting Love" and "Music to Make Love By." | ||
 | Album: 30 of 39 Title: Make Do With What You Got Released: 2005 Tracks: 10 Duration: 44:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Need Your Love in My Life (04:19) 2 What Good Am I? (03:40) 3 It Makes No Difference (05:27) 4 Let Somebody Love Me (04:28) 5 After All These Years (04:37) 6 Fading Footsteps (03:59) 7 At the Crossroads (04:58) 8 I Got the Blues (04:11) 9 Make Do With What You Got (04:34) 10 Wealth Wont Save Your Soul (03:59) |
| Make Do With What You Got : Allmusic album Review : One of the great pleasures of Solomon Burkes 2002 "comeback" album, Dont Give Up on Me (Burke never really went away, but this time around folks were paying attention), was the fact it was so unexpected -- instead of trying to replicate the sound and feeling of the records Burke made in the 1960s, producer Joe Henry conjured up a warm but skeletal backdrop which allowed the once and future King of Rock n Soul to dig into the heart of the songs (contributed by the likes of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and Brian Wilson) in a manner unlike anything hed done before. Conversely, the greatest disappointment of Burkes next "big-league" album, 2005s Make Do With What You Got, is that it sounds almost exactly the way youd expect it to. The spare approach of Dont Give Up on Me has been abandoned in favor of a high-gloss production from Don Was, and Was has set up a bombastic soul session replete with horns, massed keyboards, and big vocal choruses, but while the accompaniment is strong, professional, and occasionally even enthusiastic (where has Ray Parker, Jr. been hiding his razor-sharp guitar skills for the past two decades?), Make Do With What You Got sounds like an overly anxious attempt to re-create the sound of vintage R&B; sides that gets the surfaces right but never quite captures the heart and soul of the music. Of course, Was overly slick production and the less impressive set list does nothing to hold back Solomon Burke -- his performances are typically superb, and he gives this album enough soul power to fuel a small city for a month, even bringing chestnuts like "It Makes No Difference" and "Ive Got the Blues" to vivid and passionate life thats thrilling to hear. No one can sing a song quite Solomon Burke, and thats what makes Make Do With What You Got worth a listen; unfortunately, lots of people could have produced these sessions as well if not better than Don Was, and thats this albums Achilles heel. | ||
 | Album: 31 of 39 Title: The Chess Collection Released: 2006-06-19 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:19:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Music to Make Love By, Part 1 (02:34) 2 Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You (04:03) 3 Come Rain or Come Shine (03:32) 4 You and Your Baby Blues (05:48) 5 All the Way (04:29) 6 Thanks I Needed That (04:08) 7 Everlasting Love (04:11) 8 Midnight and You (04:00) 9 Music to Make Love By, Part 2 (02:25) 10 Burning for Your Love (03:52) 11 Night and Day (03:43) 12 Everybodys Got to Cry Sometime (04:40) 13 Im Going Back to My Roots (05:09) 14 Precious Flower (04:32) 15 The Do Right Song (04:01) 16 Life Has Its Ups and Downs (02:55) 17 Over and Over (Hugging and Loving) (04:31) 18 Ill Never Stop Loving You (03:31) 19 Im Leaving on That Late, Late Train (02:59) 20 Loves Paradise (04:19) |
| The Chess Collection : Allmusic album Review : Both of Solomon Burkes mid-70s Chess albums (Music to Make Love By and Back to My Roots) are on this single-disc anthology, The Chess Collection, along with a couple of non-LP cuts from the same era, "Im Leaving on That Late, Late Train" and "Loves Paradise." Burkes Chess stint was an ill-fated association; Chess was on the verge of going out of business at the time, and while Burkes voice was still in form, the material was wholly inappropriate for his sensibilities. As happened to so many esteemed 60s soul vets in this era, rather than play to his strengths, the records tried to push the singer into the changing times with disco-fied production that virtually buried his personality. Music to Make Love By is a particularly embarrassing attempt to ride the Barry White bedroom-rap-spiced Love Man bandwagon, and though it may be amusing to hear Burke solemnly intone "its so hard to make love to a picture, baby" on the title cut, you cant help but cringe in embarrassment on his behalf. While Back to My Roots dropped the faux Barry White shtick, it was a wildly inappropriate title for a record that, far from going back to Burkes gospel or country-soul roots, put his pipes to meager disco-tinged tunes (even on the song titled "Im Going Back to My Roots," which does have a little blues buried in there). When he goes into all-out crooning disco mode for "Night and Day," the result is nothing less than ghastly. Only on "Everybodys Got to Cry Sometime," with a churchy piano and harmonica backing Burkes preach-shouting vocals, does the singer truly sound in his element. The non-LP "Im Leaving on That Late, Late Train" single is a better effort than most of the tracks that made it onto the albums, yet it cant save a collection that most Burke fans will find not just an aberration, but downright abhorrent. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 39 Title: The Definitive Soul Collection Released: 2006-07-11 Tracks: 30 Duration: 1:31:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Just Out of Reach (of My Two Open Arms) (02:50) 2 Cry to Me (02:35) 3 Down in the Valley (02:34) 4 Im Hanging Up My Heart for You (03:05) 5 Go on Back to Him (02:55) 6 Home in Your Heart (02:05) 7 If You Need Me (02:35) 8 Cant Nobody Love You (02:34) 9 Youre Good for Me (03:04) 10 Hell Have to Go (03:25) 11 Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) (03:15) 12 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (02:45) 13 Looking for My Baby (02:24) 14 Yes I Do (03:08) 15 The Price (02:48) 16 Tonight’s the Night (02:40) 1 Got to Get You Off My Mind (02:34) 2 Someone Is Watching (02:59) 3 Baby Come on Home (03:22) 4 Keep Looking (02:40) 5 Keep a Light in the Window Till I Come Home (03:26) 6 Take Me (Just as I Am) (03:05) 7 Detroit City (02:50) 8 Party People (02:37) 9 I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free) (03:00) 10 Soul Meeting (03:33) 11 Get Out of My Life Woman (03:20) 12 Proud Mary (03:24) 13 Midnight and You (03:59) 14 You and Your Baby Blues (05:46) |
 | Album: 33 of 39 Title: Nashville Released: 2006-09-26 Tracks: 14 Duration: 49:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Thats How I Got to Memphis (03:20) 2 Seems Like Youre Gonna Take Me Back (03:15) 3 Tomorrow Is Forever (02:52) 4 Aint Got You (04:08) 5 Valley of Tears (04:28) 6 Honey Wheres the Money Gone (03:27) 7 Atta Way to Go (03:07) 8 Millionaire (04:14) 9 Up to the Mountain (03:28) 10 Does My Ring Burn Your Finger (03:45) 11 Vicious Circle (03:06) 12 Were Gonna Hold On (03:28) 13 Youre the Kind of Trouble (02:54) 14 til I Get It Right (03:37) |
| Nashville : Allmusic album Review : Four years after the stellar and eclectic Dont Give Up on Me from 2002, which won a Grammy, Solomon Burke returns with another surprise. Nashville was recorded in Music City with producer Buddy Miller and a slew of guests who include duet partners Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Patty Griffin, and Gillian Welch, as well instrumental talent that features Brady Blade, Byron House, Miller, Al Perkins, Garry Tallent, Mickey Raphael, David Rawlings, Sam Bush, Phil Madeira, and many others. The set opens with a stripped to the bone version of Tom T. Halls "Thats How I Got to Memphis," accompanied only by Millers acoustic guitar. Burkes big, crackling throaty baritone makes the song, which has been covered by everyone from Bobby Bare, Bill Haley, and Rosanne Cash to Scott Walker, Lee Hazlewood, and Ben Vaughn. Miller lets the slow, earthy cracks in Burkes voice resonate deeply. The duet with Parton on her "Tomorrow Is Forever" is deep, soulful country music at its best. Al Perkins pedal steel floats around the pair as they trade lines and harmonize. With excellent backing vocals from Ann McCrary and Gale West, this is a true melding of the country and soul traditions. Bruce Springsteens "Aint Got You" is utterly transformed from a country blues shouter into a roiling, tough, backwoods hard country and near-bluegrass meld. Perkins dobro, the slippery brushed drums that shuffle in overdrive and fiddle, and Tallents standup bass take the thing back into the woods and never let it out. And it just goes from here. Welchs "Valley of Tears" is another stripped to the bone ballad with Rawlings and Welch singing and playing and Miller backing on vocals as well. But that backing is a bit stiff; it would have worked better without any, but its Burkes killer voice that brings the real sadness in the tune to bear at the listeners door. Burke can really do the weepers, as further evidenced by his reading of Don Williams "Atta Way to Go" with strings and a full countrypolitan band behind him. Here again, Burke proves that he can do the tradition without schmaltz. There is great power in his voice as he allows the lyrics to penetrate him and then projects them as his own. This song, too, becomes so rooted in the blues and Memphis soul that it might shock Williams to hear it. "Up the Mountain" a Griffin song, proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Griffin and Burke were made to sing together. This is a duets record that should happen. She can sing anything, and her manner of countering Burkes throaty R&B; moan brings out the depths of gospel. The pairing with Harris on George Jones "Were Gonna Hold On" works less well. Harris does the same thing on every single recording shes appeared on for the last decade. In addition, the instrumentation feels ragged and out of balance. The set ends with Larry Henley and Red Lanes "Til I Get It Right," where Burkes vocal comes off every bit as haunted and heart-rending as Johnny Cashs and he gets it right form the first note. Burke is at a place in his long career where he has nothing to lose. His restlessness and willingness to stretch himself is far different than say Rod Stewart attempting all those horrifying volumes of the Great American songbook. Burke fully inhabits what he sings. His performances are precise in that they bring out every single lyrical nuance as an extension of soul. This is a keeper, one of those records that youll still be listening to in ten years. | ||
 | Album: 34 of 39 Title: Proud Mary Released: 2006-12 Tracks: 10 Duration: 28:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Proud Mary (03:24) 2 These Arms of Mine (02:54) 3 Ill Be Doggone (02:56) 4 How Big a Fool (Can a Fool Be) (02:15) 5 Dont Wait Too Long (03:10) 6 That Lucky Old Sun (03:00) 7 Uptight Good Woman (02:42) 8 I Cant Stop (02:17) 9 Please Send Me Someone to Love (03:02) 10 What Am I Living For (02:55) |
| Proud Mary : Allmusic album Review : In 1969, Solomon Burkes long association with Atlantic Records had come to an end, and he hadnt had a major hit in several years when he strolled into the Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL to cut his first and only album for Bell Records. Proud Marys lead-off cut was a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revivals titular hit tune (still in the charts when Burke recorded it), and while that may have seemed like a bald-faced bid for pop radio play, in Burkes hands the song became a bracing tale of life in the Deep South as African-Americans searched for liberation aboard the ship that carried them as slaves and put them to undignified labor serving wealthy whites. It was a bold conceit and Burke brought it to rich life, and while the rest of the album is hardly as surprising, its as satisfying as anything he cut during the later part of his Atlantic tenure. The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section are in typically fine form here, accompanying Burke with rich, soulful passion while always serving the song and the artist ahead of displaying their own chops (keep an ear peeled for the potent groove of Roger Hawkins drums and Eddie Hintons succinct but blazing guitar solo on "That Lucky Old Sun"), and Burke brings the full weight of his fervent, churchy presence to each cut, especially the righteous "Uptight Good Woman" and a cover of "These Arms of Mine" that pays sincere tribute to Otis Redding while still sounding like pure Solomon Burke. Bell had already dropped Burke by the time Proud Marys title cut had become a hit single, which seems like utter foolishness given the strength of this material -- Solomon Burke and the Muscle Shoals crew were a superb match, and this album finds them bringing out the best in one another. | ||
 | Album: 35 of 39 Title: The Platinum Collection Released: 2007 Tracks: 22 Duration: 1:02:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (02:45) 2 Got to Get You Off My Mind (01:58) 3 If You Need Me (02:33) 4 I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free) (02:51) 5 Tonights the Night (02:47) 6 Down in the Valley (02:26) 7 Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms) (02:43) 8 Stupidity (01:56) 9 Cry to Me (02:33) 10 Home in Your Heart (02:05) 11 Looking for My Baby (02:23) 12 Im Hanging Up My Heart for You (03:05) 13 Youre Good for Me (02:50) 14 Baby, Come on Home (03:19) 15 The Price (02:46) 16 Take Me (Just as I Am) (03:01) 17 Keep a Light in the Window (03:26) 18 Someone Is Watching (02:53) 19 Get Out of My Life Woman (03:20) 20 Maggies Farm (02:17) 21 Since I Met You Baby (03:47) 22 Whatd I Say (04:47) |
| The Platinum Collection : Allmusic album Review : While gospel was a key influence for many of the great voices of 60s soul, few artists brought the spiritual and the secular together with as much skill and emotional gravity as Solomon Burke (no great surprise, given that he became a preacher later in life). However, Burkes influences went beyond gospel. He had a real gift for country influenced material, and his "Just out of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms)" scored significant airplay on Southern C&W; radio; there was plenty of raw blues in his recipe; and he had a potent sense of drama (the mans knack for a recitation was unequaled) as well as a subtle but keen wit (who else would record a dance tune called "Stupidity" and make it work?). While Burke made worthwhile records for a number of labels (and continues to do so at this writing), his strongest body of work remains his Atlantic Records sides, and Burkes installment in Warner Platinums The Platinum Collection series features 22 songs which cover his biggest hits and most memorable album cuts. Rhinos two-disc Home in Your Heart: The Best of Solomon Burke remains the definitive overview of this phase of Burkes career, and their single-disc The Very Best of Solomon Burke includes the remarkable "Soul Meeting" (the A-side of the only single from the Soul Clan, a short-lived R&B; supergroup featuring Burke, Ben E. King, Joe Tex, Don Covay and Arthur Conley), and either of those sets is slightly preferable to this one. But any CD that features Solomon Burke singing "Cry to Me," "The Price," "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," "Got to Get You off My Mind" and "Tonights the Night" is worth owning, and that only scratches the surface of the great music on The Platinum Collection, and its a fine value for anyone with a taste for Southern soul. | ||
 | Album: 36 of 39 Title: Like a Fire Released: 2008-06-10 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Like a Fire (05:07) 2 We Dont Need It (05:03) 3 The Fall (03:36) 4 A Minute to Rest and a Second to Pray (feat. Ben Harper) (04:24) 5 Aint That Something (03:56) 6 What Makes Me Think I Was Right (03:06) 7 Understanding (03:37) 8 You and Me (03:06) 9 Thank You (04:03) 10 If I Give My Heart to You (03:15) |
| Like a Fire : Allmusic album Review : Like a Fire opens with its title song, one of two new tunes Eric Clapton gave to Solomon Burke for this album, and from the first notes this sounds very much like an Eric Clapton album. Unfortunately, the Clapton albums it most clearly recalls are Pilgrim, Reptile, and Back Home, albums that have little to do with the power of the blues and instead feel like something polite and tasteful you can play while youre having a cookout with the neighbors on a sunny Sunday. In all fairness, Like a Fire isnt as spineless as that makes it sound. As one of the greatest singers in the history of Southern soul, Burke is incapable of delivering a boring performance, and hes in typically splendid form on these sessions, finding more in the nooks and crannies of this material than most anyone else could discover. And producer Steve Jordan assembled a fine band for these sets, with Jordan on drums, Danny Kortchmar on guitar, Larry Taylor on bass, and Dean Parks on steel guitar, and Ben Harper and Keb Mo sound fine in their cameos. But at heart, Like a Fire seems to have been influenced not so much by classic soul or blues as by anonymous adult contemporary, as if Jordan was hoping to make a Solomon Burke album that would appeal to a mature, thoughtful listener. Of course, Burke has been making mature, thoughtful music since he first set foot in the Atlantic Records studios in 1964, but that was music you could dance to, cry with, and feel in your heart and soul. Like a Fire usually sounds too polite and reserved to bring out a strong emotional reaction in anyone, and while Burkes powerful vocals bring some force and fire to these recordings in spite of themselves, this master is better heard in more deserving surroundings; try Dont Give Up on Me or Nashville instead. | ||
 | Album: 37 of 39 Title: Nothings Impossible Released: 2010-04-06 Tracks: 12 Duration: 49:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Oh What a Feeling (03:55) 2 Everything About You (03:38) 3 Dreams (06:15) 4 Nothing’s Impossible (03:18) 5 It Must Be Love (05:02) 6 You Needed Me (03:46) 7 Say You Love Me Too (03:23) 8 Youre Not Alone (04:03) 9 New Company (03:11) 10 When Youre Not Here (04:28) 11 The Error of My Ways (05:08) 12 Im Leavin (03:32) |
| Nothing's Impossible : Allmusic album Review : Its all but impossible to make a bad record with Solomon Burke; as a vocalist, the man is simply a force of nature, and all you have to do is point him in front of a microphone and let him do his stuff and youll have something worth hearing. But coming up with accompaniment thats worthy of Burkes talents isnt quite as simple, and for a man who cut his teeth working with the likes of Jerry Wexler and Bert Berns, finding the right producer in this day and age is no simple matter. Nothings Impossible teams Burke with another legend of Southern soul, the great producer, arranger, and songwriter Willie Mitchell (best-known for his work with Al Green) who had been after Burke to make an album with him for years. One listen to Nothings Impossible confirms that Mitchells instincts were right on the money; this music has just the right heft and texture for Burke, rich, strong, and gospel-influenced R&B; thats sturdy enough to support Burkes earth-shaking vocals while giving the star of the show enough room to move comfortably. Mitchells subtle, expressive use of strings and horns is very much in evidence here, and the rhythm section cuts a deep, implacable groove. The church has always been one of Burkes strongest vocal influences, and on Nothings Impossible, Mitchell and his studio crew allow Burke to raise up as much Sunday morning fervor as he needs; on longer numbers like "Dreams" and "It Must Be Love," Burke stretches out like a preacher hitting a groove in front of a congregation, and hearing the King of Rock and Soul get the spirit is a remarkable thing. Burke and Mitchell contributed to the songwriting on these sessions, with both men bringing their A game, and though the notion of Burke covering Anne Murrays hit "You Needed Me" might sound dire, once you hear him do it, its hard not to be awestruck at the way he brings the old warhorse to life. The sad irony of Nothings Impossible is that after decades of trying to lure Solomon Burke into his studio, Burke showed up in time for what proved to be Willie Mitchells final production project, as Mitchell succumbed to heart failure a few months before the album was released. But if this record is Willie Mitchells final musical offering, Solomon Burke made certain that the man closed out his career on a high note; this is old-school R&B; thats smart, passionate, and powerful, and proves the King of Rock and Soul still rules his kingdom with a sure hand. | ||
 | Album: 38 of 39 Title: Hold On Tight Released: 2010-09-30 Tracks: 12 Duration: 54:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Hold On Tight (05:27) 2 My Rose Saved From the Street (03:35) 3 What a Woman (03:22) 4 No One (05:24) 5 More Beauty (03:48) 6 I Gotta Be With You (04:29) 7 Seventh Heaven (04:57) 8 Good for Nothing (05:02) 9 Text Me (04:49) 10 Don’t Despair (05:14) 11 The Bend (05:00) 12 Perfect Song (03:30) |
| Hold On Tight : Allmusic album Review : Of the great soul singers of the 1960s, Solomon Burke was one of the few whose talent and power to compelled an audience never dimmed with the passage of time; if the larger audience overlooked his music through much of the 70s and 80s, and he wasnt always paired with songwriters or producers who knew what to do with his instrument, Burke himself remained The King of Rock & Soul, an artist whose music spoke powerfully with heart and soul whenever he raised his voice. Burkes mighty voice was finally silenced by his passing in October 2010, but it should come as no great surprise that the last album he finished before his death confirmed he was in full command of his talents right up to the end. What is somewhat surprising are his collaborators on his final project. De Dijk, a veteran Dutch rock and R&B band, are little known in America but theyre stars in the Netherlands, and they struck up a friendship with Burke when their paths crossed on tour in 2007. The 12 songs on Hold on Tight were adapted from tunes in De Dijks back catalog, with Burke helping to translate the lyrics into English, and lead singer Huub van der Lubbe moving over to acoustic guitar for the duration of the sessions. The strength of Burkes performance is not unexpected, but De Dijk turned out to be an inspired musical match: the bands robust fusion of classic soul and bluesy hard rock swings hard and Burkes vocals roll right along with them, filling in the spaces in the arrangements and adding a powerful shot of gospel-inspired fervor to the swagger of the guitars and horns. The melodies are clearly influenced by the structures of classic soul with an added energetic punch, and if the sound is something different from the stuff of Burkes heyday, its close enough to give him the right platform for his declamatory style. Also, the musicians sound like a real band, intuitive and understanding the push and pull of the music, and Burke sounds like hes having a grand time working within their formula. Hold on Tight isnt revelatory like Burkes 2002 "comeback" set Dont Give Up on Me, or his 2006 pairing with Buddy Miller, Nashville, and its not a latter-day soul masterpiece like his collaboration with Willie Mitchell, 2010s Nothings Impossible. But its a stronger and more satisfying piece of work than most of his other post-millennial albums, and its the closest thing he managed to a truly effective rock & roll collaboration; its an impressive finale to a genuinely remarkable career. | ||
 | Album: 39 of 39 Title: Last Great Concert Released: 2012-03-26 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:44:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Thats How I Got to Memphis (04:04) 2 Fast Train (04:25) 3 Diamond in Your Mind (04:15) 4 Cry to Me (02:32) 5 Georgia on My Mind (04:49) 6 Like a Fire (05:20) 7 Down in the Valley (04:04) 8 Medley: If You Need Me, Tonights the Night, Almost Lost My Mind, Hell Have to Go, I Cant Stop Loving You (07:55) 9 Detroit City (04:29) 10 A Change Is Gonna Come (04:10) 11 None of Us Are Free (03:28) 12 Band Introduction, I Will Survive (06:47) 1 Misty Blue (03:13) 2 Got to Get You Off My Mind (02:45) 3 Dont Give Up on Me (04:37) 4 Atta Way to Go (03:28) 5 Medley: Proud Mary, Lucille, Good Golly Miss Molly, Tutti Frutti, Rock This Joint (08:56) 6 Medley: Johnny B.Good, Shake Rattle & Roll, Lucille (03:13) 7 I Give My Heart to You (05:01) 8 I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free) (02:19) 9 What a Wonderful World (05:58) 10 Silent Night, Holy Night (03:20) 11 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (04:59) |