The Essential Lou Rawls

Frank Sinatra and Sam Cooke adored Lou Rawls. That says everything. And this collection of the Chicago-born singer’s best moments connects his '60s bluesy jazz and soul sides on Capitol Records (the swinging “A Natural Man” and the R&B punch-up “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water”) to his mid- to late-’70s revival on Philadelphia International (the dance-sassy “Groovy People” and the Hall & Oates chestnut “She’s Gone”). And then some. While his voice conveyed utter beauty (“Time”) and timelessness (“Spring Again”), it could also be as much about anguish as the antidote for it.