Solomon Burke was born in 1938 to a family of ministers. By the age of eight he was already a preacher boy touring with a revival group. In his teens he began making music. Throughout the sixties Burke enjoyed great success with a series of gospel, blues, and soul songs such as Cry To Me and The Price. Burke dubbed himself "The King of Rock N Soul" and took to wearing a crown on stage. James Brown actually offered Burke $10,000 to publicly give him that title and crown. Burke refused.In 2002, a group of famous songwriters including Van Morrison, Tom Waits, Brian Wilson, Nick Lowe, and Bob Dylan, wrote a set of songs for Burke. Burke entered the studio and recorded them (many on the first take). The result is the album Don't Give Up On Me.
The title track of the record was written by Dan Penn, a great old songwriter who wrote many classic soul songs including The Dark End of the Street. Here is Solomon Burke with Don't Give Up On Me:
Don't Give Up On Me |
Elvis Costello's strange song The Judgment was the only song Burke stumbled over. Eventually Costello was called into the studio to explain his odd cord arrangement.
The Judgment |
The final song on the album is a stirring anthem by songwriter Barry Man. Backing Burke on this one are The Blind Boys of Alabama.
None of Us Are Free |