Twistin' the Night Away is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke. Produced by Hugo & Luigi, the album was released in April 1962 in the United States by RCA Victor. Twistin' the Night Away primarily capitalizes on the twist phenomenon and as a result became one of Cooke's most successful LPs, becoming his second to chart and creating a string of chart successes.
Twistin' the Night Away peaked at number 74 on Billboard'sTop LPs chart, while the single of the same name charted higher at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
Background
Twistin' the Night Away originated during the recording team's move to RCA Victor's Hollywood studios.[2]Sammy Lowe, conductor of Cooke's past two albums, brought aboard René Hall, an arranger he had worked with in their days at Keen Records.[2] Hall in turn booked horn players Plas Johnson, Jackie Kelso and Jewell Grant "to spike up what was effectively a return to former glories."[2]
Reception
Bruce Eder of Allmusic wrote that while Cooke was "shoehorned" into doing twist numbers, it remains nevertheless "one of the great dance albums of its period," and "a brilliant soul album as well, which is why it holds up 40 years later."[3]Melody Maker wrote that "Cooke was unique because he was one of the first black artists to keep a tight hand on the direction of his career and the profits thereof," calling the album's hit single a "dance-craze classic."[4]
Track listing
All songs written by Sam Cooke, except where noted. All songs arranged and conducted by René Hall, except "That's It—I Quit—I'm Movin' On", conducted by Sammy Lowe.
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