Joanne Allen's narration of this informational piece on Sam Cooke strikes the perfect note of warmth and pathos. She's easy to listen to. As easy to listen to as her subject.
From the early days with the Soul Stirrers right up to his tragic end this story illuminates but doesn't sentimentalize the "promise unfulfilled" of this magical entertainer.
I was intrigued to hear of his early predictions of his own success, lining up popsicle sticks as a practice audience and vowing to never "work a job". He knew the paycheck system was just another way to keep you down and he vowed to never get stuck in it. He didn't.
I enjoyed every moment of this piece and look forward to more from this group.
I've never been a big Sam Cooke follower, although I do enjoy his music. This provided a nice history lesson, peppered with some of Sam's best. I was struck by two things: (1) Sam was a smart cookie (pardon the pun) and (2) he was a great song writer (you'll be surprised by how many well-known songs were penned by Cooke). We'll be scheduling this program very soon.
Is there anything more universal in appeal than a Sam Cooke song?
What a wonderful blend of interview segments and music. This piece totally de-stressed my day. I decided to listen to this piece as a bit of a diversion from the work day...you know those days...Hurry up, Hurry up and Wait Wait....well this piece told me.
Told me so much about someone I have known all my life but never had taken the time to get to know. WOW. This is called the definition of Compelling Content. Joyride Media knows how to create magical public radio moments. We should be happy to have such a production house with access and content AND the public radio values system firmly intact to create these wonderful stories.
Essentially taking us on the journey of Sam's life, this piece is expertly produced. We learn about his gospel roots and the transition to popular music and the subsequent integration into a sound that defined music for much of a generation. Early on, we are treated to an example of a single song that details this transition. Public radio listeners are going to eat this up like cake and ice cream.
The interviews, both with historians and participants, are credible and nicley placed. Full cuts of songs are integrated in a really wonderful way.
This is NOT a doowop show. Nor is it an oldies show, nor is it exclusively a music biography. It has a lot to say about the socio-economic state of our country during Sam's rising. You can't really say it's aimed specifically at African Americans either. It's universal, just as his music.
I might proffer that the narration, while confident and well paced, is a bit out of sync in the energy of the interviews and songs. This is nit picking, and is not a reason to not to air this piece.
Here is our challenge as programmers. Hour long specials are wonderful, but many listeners don't have an hour to relax and soak this format in. How do we schedule and promote this show, and others like it, so that we can encourage as many listeners as possible to make time for it in their busy lives? I'm sure we all have our opinions...now test them out by scheduling this program and promoting the hell out of it.
Comments for Sam Cooke: Bring it on Home to Me
This piece belongs to the series "Black History Month Specials"
Produced by Paul Chuffo, Joyride Media
Other pieces by Joyride Media
Rating Summary
8 comments
Rodmon Thomas
Posted on March 27, 2008 at 06:33 AM | Permalink
Review of Sam Cooke: Bring it on Home to Me
Sam Cook: Bring it on Home to Me is a light, intimate, personal
love song. I've heard it before years ago on the radio.
Joan Prezioso
Posted on September 26, 2007 at 12:15 PM | Permalink
Review of Sam Cooke: Bring it on Home to Me
A wonderful piece on a GREAT soul singer. My very favorite .
Al Waterloo
Posted on November 23, 2006 at 08:59 PM | Permalink
Review of Sam Cooke: Bring it on Home to Me
Very nice documentary. I heard it on KDVS, the UC Davis college station (streaming at kdvs.org).
Jess Jameson
Posted on October 12, 2006 at 02:39 PM | Permalink
Review of Sam Cooke: Bring it on Home to Me
I absolultely adore this song!
Geoffrey Tozer
Posted on March 30, 2006 at 09:55 AM | Permalink
Review of Sam Cooke: Bring it on Home to Me
Joanne Allen's narration of this informational piece on Sam Cooke strikes the perfect note of warmth and pathos. She's easy to listen to. As easy to listen to as her subject.
From the early days with the Soul Stirrers right up to his tragic end this story illuminates but doesn't sentimentalize the "promise unfulfilled" of this magical entertainer.
I was intrigued to hear of his early predictions of his own success, lining up popsicle sticks as a practice audience and vowing to never "work a job". He knew the paycheck system was just another way to keep you down and he vowed to never get stuck in it. He didn't.
I enjoyed every moment of this piece and look forward to more from this group.
scott les
Posted on March 28, 2006 at 10:31 PM | Permalink
Review of Sam Cooke: Bring it on Home to Me
Sam cooke was the MAN !!
What a singer and such a great loss to music !!
Scott
Glasgow
UK
Doug Nadvornick
Posted on December 13, 2005 at 08:34 AM | Permalink
Review of Sam Cooke: Bring it on Home to Me
I've never been a big Sam Cooke follower, although I do enjoy his music. This provided a nice history lesson, peppered with some of Sam's best. I was struck by two things: (1) Sam was a smart cookie (pardon the pun) and (2) he was a great song writer (you'll be surprised by how many well-known songs were penned by Cooke). We'll be scheduling this program very soon.
Steve Yasko
Posted on December 06, 2005 at 08:41 AM | Permalink
Review of Sam Cooke: Bring it on Home to Me
Is there anything more universal in appeal than a Sam Cooke song?
What a wonderful blend of interview segments and music. This piece totally de-stressed my day. I decided to listen to this piece as a bit of a diversion from the work day...you know those days...Hurry up, Hurry up and Wait Wait....well this piece told me.
Told me so much about someone I have known all my life but never had taken the time to get to know. WOW. This is called the definition of Compelling Content. Joyride Media knows how to create magical public radio moments. We should be happy to have such a production house with access and content AND the public radio values system firmly intact to create these wonderful stories.
Essentially taking us on the journey of Sam's life, this piece is expertly produced. We learn about his gospel roots and the transition to popular music and the subsequent integration into a sound that defined music for much of a generation. Early on, we are treated to an example of a single song that details this transition. Public radio listeners are going to eat this up like cake and ice cream.
The interviews, both with historians and participants, are credible and nicley placed. Full cuts of songs are integrated in a really wonderful way.
This is NOT a doowop show. Nor is it an oldies show, nor is it exclusively a music biography. It has a lot to say about the socio-economic state of our country during Sam's rising. You can't really say it's aimed specifically at African Americans either. It's universal, just as his music.
I might proffer that the narration, while confident and well paced, is a bit out of sync in the energy of the interviews and songs. This is nit picking, and is not a reason to not to air this piece.
Here is our challenge as programmers. Hour long specials are wonderful, but many listeners don't have an hour to relax and soak this format in. How do we schedule and promote this show, and others like it, so that we can encourage as many listeners as possible to make time for it in their busy lives? I'm sure we all have our opinions...now test them out by scheduling this program and promoting the hell out of it.