Cooke's third album for RCA Victor, released in late 1961, is a collection of blues numbers that demonstrated his deep roots in the genre that underpinned his gospel and soul artistry. Though less of a chart success than his previous albums, it remains a notable entry in his discography.
- The album was recorded at RCA Studios in either New York City or Chicago with producer Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. It features covers of blues standards such as "Little Red Rooster" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore." While not reaching the commercial heights of Cooke's more pop-oriented LPs, "My Kind of Blues" charted at number 76 on the Billboard 200.
- The album was released in October 1961, shortly after the chart success of his single "Cry Me a River." It followed his previous RCA Victor releases "Cooke's Tour" and "My Delight."
- This album's blues focus showcased Cooke's versatility beyond the smoother soul sound for which he was most famous, appealing to fans who appreciated his vocal mastery across genres.
Sam Cooke was an American singer and songwriter, a towering figure in the transition from gospel to soul music. By 1961, he was already a pop-soul superstar with a string of hits predating this release.
Tracklist
