Everyone who has read my blogs knows that the song that I love, A Change Gone Come by Sam Cooke will always be with me. I have done some more research and found out some interesting tidbits about the inception of the song and the artist. So here goes.
Early Review:
Palmer, Robert. “The Pop Life: [Review].” Rev.of A Change Gone Come, By Sam Cooke. New York Times [New York, N.Y.] 29 Jan 1986. Proquest. DCCC Library, Lexington, N.C. 16 Apr. 2009
Robert Palmer’s review of A Change Gone Come, contends that Cooke returns full circle to his gospel roots, to a song concerned with the civil rights movement. It is a song of faith and determination. Cooke's work from the early 50's until the time of his death in the early 60's was unequal for sheer musicality.Palmer says, “This is music that will live as long as Americans dream of freedom.”
About the Music:
Cave, Damien. “Greatest Soul Song Ever.” Rolling Stone 24 June 2004: 94 Research Library. ProQuest. DCCC, Lexington, N.C. 16Apr. 2009
This article was quite eye opening. Cave talks about the departure of the type of music usually heard from Cooke. Most of Cooke’s singles were sweet love ballads and dance numbers. This song was earth shattering and the social implications of the song were clear. The inspiration for A Change Gone Come, came from a folk singer named Bob Dylan. After hearing Dylan’s "Blowing in the Wind"(1963), a song about racism in America, and its treatment of the plight of black Americans and other politically oppressed minorities. Cooke was so inspired by the song he felt like he had to come up with something that would give people something to think about. After a concert in Durham, N.C. speaking with sit in demonstrators, Cooke went to his tour bus and wrote the first draft of A Change Gone Come.
Something about Today:
Blakely, Derrick. “Legendary Sam Cooke Song Proves Visionary” http:www.cbs2chicago.com
This article explores the connection between Sam Cooke and the 44th President. Like President Obama in politics, Sam Cooke was a trailblazer in music. He was one of the first black artist to take control of his musical career. He founded both a record label and publishing company as an extension of his career as a singer and songwriter. On election night, President elect paid homage to Cooke. “It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, change has come to America.” Both these men have a strong social conscience. A Change Gone Come was the theme of the 2008 presidential campaign. Like the song, Barack Obama gave people and not just African Americans hope, he put forth the idea of change for all Americans. As a result, he became the 44th President of the United States.
What Now?
I have run across several books about the life of Sam Cooke. I am sure they go into details about what this man was truly about. I also would like to find out more about death. Details of his death have never been fully investigated or was not done properly. He was shot to death in 1964, 11 days before A Change Gone Come was released. This song gives us a hint at the direction Cooke might have taken had he lived.
Showing posts with label sam cooke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sam cooke. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Yesterday, Today and Forever cont. Part 3
The song that I love, A Change Gone Come by Sam Cooke has many memories for me. The most special being, that my dad, John Frank Scott, introduced it to me.
Though this song has come to mean more to me than just a song many of the feelings it invokes from me is because of my dad. He always taught me to be aware of the things going on in the world that would affect the way I lived my life.
Like most daughter’s my dad meant the world to me. Even though I was the oldest I was daddy’s little girl. He was always my greatest hero and champion. He raised all seven of us to be strong individuals.
My dad passed away eleven years ago, after never fully recovering from a stroke. He was the kind of man who when he talked you listened. Even if you did not agree, you listened. He had a presence about him, and he was not a large man. He was by certain standards a little man, standing five foot five and weighing at his heaviest one hundred forty pounds.
After his stroke, there was not a lot of talking. You could put on some old R & B music and you could see a change come over him. He would try to sing or hum along with the music that had given him so much joy. The thing was, even before his stroke he could not sing his way out of a rain barrel. He loved music and even played a mean guitar but the man could not hold a tune.
With everything else, that this song means to me it will always remind me of what a great father he was. I often wonder what he would think about the other artists who have remakes of this song. I know some of them he heard because they were some of his favorite’s artist. However, knowing my dad some he would just raise hell about the way some did not sing something right.
If no one ever listened to the song I love, it would not matter. I will always love the song because of my hero, my daddy.
Though this song has come to mean more to me than just a song many of the feelings it invokes from me is because of my dad. He always taught me to be aware of the things going on in the world that would affect the way I lived my life.
Like most daughter’s my dad meant the world to me. Even though I was the oldest I was daddy’s little girl. He was always my greatest hero and champion. He raised all seven of us to be strong individuals.
My dad passed away eleven years ago, after never fully recovering from a stroke. He was the kind of man who when he talked you listened. Even if you did not agree, you listened. He had a presence about him, and he was not a large man. He was by certain standards a little man, standing five foot five and weighing at his heaviest one hundred forty pounds.
After his stroke, there was not a lot of talking. You could put on some old R & B music and you could see a change come over him. He would try to sing or hum along with the music that had given him so much joy. The thing was, even before his stroke he could not sing his way out of a rain barrel. He loved music and even played a mean guitar but the man could not hold a tune.
With everything else, that this song means to me it will always remind me of what a great father he was. I often wonder what he would think about the other artists who have remakes of this song. I know some of them he heard because they were some of his favorite’s artist. However, knowing my dad some he would just raise hell about the way some did not sing something right.
If no one ever listened to the song I love, it would not matter. I will always love the song because of my hero, my daddy.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Yesterday, Today and Forever cont.
On the song I love, finding postive reviews and defending my last post was the easy part. I explained how moving the song was for me. This song evokes a metamorphic response in me.
At the end of last year, Cooke was named one of the greatest artists of all time by Rolling Stone with a review written by Van Morrison. Morrison said if a singer is not singing from his soul, I do not even want to listen to it. Cooke reached down deep with pure soul. He could sing anything and make it work.
Morrison has also covered this song. A Change Gone Come is a song that is written to allow you to go wherever you can with it.
I could find no negative feedback on this song even with so many different artists recording it. I am going to attempt to do a contrast between Sam Cooke and Gavin DeGrew.
The song was recorded in two different periods. Cooke’s original recording (1963) is in a slower tone and is more mellow and somber. You can hear the strong emotions, the hurt, and the sorrow can be felt. DeGrew’s (2004) tone is harsh and for me slightly forced. I hear a strong voice however; I cannot feel the same emotional turmoil.
Overall, both songs contain a similar theme and both contrast in the texture, style and tempo. Though I concede that De Grew’s rendition is beautifully done, I still maintain that Cooke’s will stand the test of time. For example, it has been listen too for 45 years.
Though some may object to this comparison, I can only say both songs hold on to the optimism. The song is important to me because as long as change aches for resolution and people have the tenacity within them this song will stand.
http://www.imeem.com/gavindegraw/music/igvASv0P/gavin_degraw_change_is_gonna_come/
Graff, Gerald& Birkenstein. They Say I Say,2006
Morrison, Van. Rev. of a Change Gone Come by Sam Cooke.
Rolling Stone, Rollingstone. Com Feb.17, 2009
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/24161972/page/4
At the end of last year, Cooke was named one of the greatest artists of all time by Rolling Stone with a review written by Van Morrison. Morrison said if a singer is not singing from his soul, I do not even want to listen to it. Cooke reached down deep with pure soul. He could sing anything and make it work.
Morrison has also covered this song. A Change Gone Come is a song that is written to allow you to go wherever you can with it.
I could find no negative feedback on this song even with so many different artists recording it. I am going to attempt to do a contrast between Sam Cooke and Gavin DeGrew.
The song was recorded in two different periods. Cooke’s original recording (1963) is in a slower tone and is more mellow and somber. You can hear the strong emotions, the hurt, and the sorrow can be felt. DeGrew’s (2004) tone is harsh and for me slightly forced. I hear a strong voice however; I cannot feel the same emotional turmoil.
Overall, both songs contain a similar theme and both contrast in the texture, style and tempo. Though I concede that De Grew’s rendition is beautifully done, I still maintain that Cooke’s will stand the test of time. For example, it has been listen too for 45 years.
Though some may object to this comparison, I can only say both songs hold on to the optimism. The song is important to me because as long as change aches for resolution and people have the tenacity within them this song will stand.
http://www.imeem.com/gavindegraw/music/igvASv0P/gavin_degraw_change_is_gonna_come/
Graff, Gerald& Birkenstein. They Say I Say,2006
Morrison, Van. Rev. of a Change Gone Come by Sam Cooke.
Rolling Stone, Rollingstone. Com Feb.17, 2009
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/24161972/page/4
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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