Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 12 January 1995 — Page 11

The Muncie Times, Thursday, 12 January 1995, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENT! Sam Cooke records released

NEW YORK — Celebrating the “other voice” of influential composer-pro-ducer-performer Sam Cooke, ABKCO Records releases “Sam Cooke’s SAR Records Story: 1959-1965.” About 7 years in the making, the landmark, twoCD collection features 56 songs, ranging from gospel to blues to pop. “Sam Cooke’s SAR Records Story” embodies Cooke’s visionary personna in a series of session outtakes, instructing the Soul Stirrers; giving the Womack Brothers lessons in articulation; and urging long-time friend and guitarist Clifton White to “play with all [his] fervor.” Founded in 1959 by Sam Cooke, with partners J.W. Alexander and S. Roy Crain,

SAR Records began as a company to foster the careers of gospel groups. Later it produced music, while continuing to honor the contributions of gospel artists. While the label existed for little more than 5 years, SAR Records was responsible for a tremendous profusion of music and launched the careers of such artists as Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Womack, The Simms Twins, Mel Carter and Billy Preston. According to L.C. Cooke, brother of Sam Cooke and one of the artists on “Sam Cooke’s SAR Records Story,” “The SAR years gave rise to Sam’s unique ability to utilize his other voice as a writer and producer. By applying the feel and flavor of gospel music to pop, Sam changed the

face of contemporary American music and was one of the first artists to cross over from gospel to R&B to pop.” SAR is the rare instance of a great popular artists stretching his creative powers, a remarkable collaboration in which a unique “voice” sought something more than individual expression. “Sam Cooke’s SAR Records Story” includes a definitive 84-page book, with an essay by Grammy Award-winning historian Peter Guralnick. The essay and the CD collection tell the story of SAR Records, the first black artist-owned record company. “Sam Cooke’s SAR Records Story: 1959-1965” is available as a 2-CD collection. ❖

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OP ART ART OP AFRKA, THE AMERICAS, ASIA AND EUROPE

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r. King’s unique

contribution to American History has endeared him to people of all races, faith,

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