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Elvis Costello put it best. "I can't believe some of the things I've seen tonight," he declared Saturday evening during an all-star tribute concert to legendary soul singer Sam Cooke at Playhouse Square's State Theatre.
A near-capacity crowd surely would agree with Costello, who wowed 'em with passionate readings of "That's Where It's At" and "Get Yourself Another Fool." He also teamed up with Otis Clay for the fiery call-and-response workout "Bring It On Home to Me."
Then there was Aretha Franklin, who looked heavenward as she belted out "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons." It was as if she were serenading Cooke himself, shot to death in 1964 at the age of 33. The Queen of Soul was in splendid form for "Sugar Dumpling" and "You're Always on My Mind," too. Her voice soared and dipped like a roller coaster, from dizzying high notes to breathtaking lows and back.
And let's not forget "Having a Party," which turned into a fun sing-along led by William Bell (who also crooned "You Send Me"), while Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP and one of the show's emcees, danced in the wings.
Like the man said: Unbelievable, all the way around.
The gig was the centerpiece of the 10th annual American Music Masters series, presented by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Case Western Reserve University.
Another concert was set for Sunday night, celebrating the gospel side of Cooke's career.
His pop catalog, a treasure trove of romantic ballads and feel-good hits, was the focus of the Saturday gig, although it also touched on Cooke's spiritual leanings. The Blind Boys of Alabama got things off to a heavenly start with "This Little Light of Mine."
With three Hall of Famers co-headlining - Franklin, Costello and Solomon Burke - the event did not want for stellar talent.
Several performers had close ties to Cooke, including Franklin, who said: "It truly was a divine pleasure and honor just to know him."
Leroy Crume, who had performed alongside Cooke in the Soul Stirrers, joined the Dixie Hummingbirds for "Wonderful."
Others on the bill did not disappoint, either.
Clay revisited "Another Saturday Night," Cissy Houston did right by "Only Sixteen," the Manhattans brought sweet harmonies to bear on "Wonderful World" and "Chain Gang," Taj Mahal turned in a hip-quaking rendition of "Twistin' the Night Away" and Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band enlisted Rock Hall staffer Lisa Vinciquerra as his dancing partner for "Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha."
The most pleasant surprise was newcomer Gavin DeGraw, who revealed a soulfulness beyond his 26 years when he sang "Cupid" and "Nothing Can Change This Love."
Cooke's younger brother, L.C.; members of Cooke's old Highway QCs group; R&B personalities Odell "Gorgeous" George and James "Early" Byrd; actor Morgan Freeman; and Rock Hall President and Chief Executive Terry Stewart made appearances throughout the show. There even was a videotaped cameo by former President Clinton, who praised Cooke as "an emblem of hope."
For the finale, Burke (ensconced on a throne) led a rousing rendition of Cooke's civil rights anthem, "A Change Is Gonna Come," joined by Franklin, Costello and most of the other performers.
As for the concert itself, organizers needn't have changed a thing.
Just another Saturday night? Hardly. Rather, this was a once-in-a-lifetime salute to the kind of artist who comes along only once in a lifetime.
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