EW's GRADE
B+

Details Lead Performance: The Soul Stirrers; Genres: R&B, Reissues

The Last Mile of the Way, a collection complete with breakdown takes and studio chatter, offers a rare look at a star's formative years. Sam Cooke, who would become the quintessential soul singer, was the lead singer when these sides were cut (1952-57). Though the material is repetitious, his conviction never wavers. On "Were You There?" his ad-libbed line, "Did they really pierce Him in the side?" is chilling. B+

Originally posted Jun 10, 1994 Published in issue #226 Jun 10, 1994 Order article reprints