54. AIN’T THAT GOOD NEWS by Sam Cooke

This 1964 record was soul/rhythm and blues singer Sam Cooke’s final album prior to his death. Most soul singers of the time released their music in the form of singles - “Ain’t That Good News” is Cooke’s most acclaimed output in the form of an album. Almost the entire first half of the record are Cooke originals whereas the remaining tracks are his interpretations of standards. The centerpiece song, which is also what he’s most famous for, is ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ - a song written by Cooke that would eventually come to represent the Civil Rights Movement. So that, of course, is a favorite of mine. Closing out the big three for me are ‘Another Saturday Night’ and ‘Good Times.’