b. 1959 in Chicago (Illinois)
I'M IN THE BUSINESS
Boom Boom
1999
Originaire du South Side de Chicago, Sam joue de la basse et débute dans les années 70 au sein du groupe Brothers of the Ghetto. Le groupe sera d'ailleurs renommé Majik par le producteur Willie Mitchell. Il devient le leader de son propre groupe (The Groove) dans les années 80. Ce premier album, composé en compagnie de son batteur Rob Davis, propose un blues cuivré contemporain inspiré. On apprécie une solide tracklist avec de belles réussites : "Caught in the act", "I can't stand being alone", "I'm in the business", "I'm gonna keep on trying", "Girl you know you really hurt me", "Boom boom boom boom". On note les participations remarquées du guitariste Jimmy Johnson et de l'harmoniciste Billy Branch.
Originally from Chicago's South Side, Sam plays bass and got his start in the 70's with the group Brothers of the Ghetto. The group was later renamed Majik by producer Willie Mitchell. He became the leader of his own group (The Groove) in the 80's. His first album, with drummer Rob Davis, offers an inspired contemporary brassy blues. blues. The tracklist is solid, with some great moments : “Caught in the act”, “I can't stand being alone”, “I'm in the business”, “I'm gonna keep on trying”, “Girl you know you really hurt me”, "Boom boom boom boom". Note nice participations of guitarist Jimmy Johnson and harmonica player Billy Branch.
COLORBLIND
Boom Boom
2001
Pour ce second album, Sam Cockrell délaisse un peu le Blues au profit d'éléments Rock, Funk ou Soul. Autour de Sam, on trouve les guitaristes Ronnie Baker Brooks, Joanna Connor, Chico Banks ainsi que les Memphis Horns. Moins inspiré, et avec des guitares trop présentes, l'album décevra l'amateur de Blues. On peut cependant retenir les sympathiques "Trying to get over losing you" et "When it comes too love".
For this second album, Sam Cockrell shifts his focus from Blues to Rock, Funk and Soul. Sam is joined by guitarists Ronnie Baker Brooks, Joanna Connor, Chico Banks and the Memphis Horns. Less inspired, and with guitars too present, the album will disappoint Blues fans. We can, however, retain the nice “Trying to get over losing you” and "When it comes too love".
TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING PLAYING MY GUITAR
Teletone
2015
Toujours actif sur la scène de Chicago, cela faisait longtemps que le chanteur-bassiste Sam Cockrell n'avait pas publié un album. Malheureusement, cet opus de Soul-Blues conventionnel et sans surprise ne retient pas vraiment l'attention de l'auditeur. A part de rares moments intéressants ("Last night"), la musique se révèle trop impersonnelle ici.
Always active on the Chicago scene, it's been a long time since singer-bassist Sam Cockrell released an album. Unfortunately, this conventional and unsurprising opus doesn't really hold the listener's attention. Apart from a few interesting moments (“Last Night”), the music here proves too impersonal.