The very first LP album by ex-gospel sex symbol who had previously moonlighted for famed "Chess" recording label and now decided to spread his wings into pop market. Cooke sings like an angel and emulates yodels and tricks from his gospel idols, but music here is dressed in a traditional pop gowns that were probably meant to show his maturity and respectability - "Summertime", "Ol' Man River", "Around the World" and "Danny Boy" are all on a extremely mellow, safe side and combined with album photo cover, Cooke comes on as a non-threatening, well-behaved future son-in-law which also means its all slightly predictable and boring. Only singer's magnificent voice uplift what is basically a uninspired collection - album is lead by wonderful pop single (signed here by "L.C. Cook" which is a pseudonym he used on "Chess") and apparently pop singles were his main focus, while albums were tailored for older, mature market - be that as it may, this kind of music was not meant for younger audience and it appears like it has all been calculated to break him into Las Vegas market where he might follow Nat King Cole's footsteps.
By: 1969SL