Biography

Solomon Burke
It Don’t Get No Better Than This
Rounder Perfect 10 series

Solomon Burke is not only one of be the greatest soul singers of all time, but also an enduring interpretive artist whose career has seen a great resurgence in recent years. The album reissues his outstanding but little-known Rounder studio sessions from 1986, along with a bonus track from his classic Soul Alive! set. On this collection of mostly original R&B songs by Dan Penn, Jimmy Lewis and others, Solomon is backed by one of New Orleans’ best rhythm sections.


Love Buys Love 5:06
(Paul Kelly/Kelly World Music, BMI)

Got To Get Myself Some Money 4:58
(Solomon Burke/The Kids Music, BMI)

Let It Be You and Me 3:05
(Paul Kelly/Kelly World Music, BMI)

Love Is All That Matters 3:17
(Dan Penn-Spooner Oldham/Dan Penn Music-Spooner Oldham Music, BMI)

Don’t Tell Me What a Man Won’t Do For a Woman 4:06
(Jimmy Lewis/Jalew Music, BMI)

A Change Is Gonna Come 7:33
(Sam Cooke/Abkco Music, BMI)

Here We Go Again 6:64
(Solomon Burke/The Kids Music, BMI)

It Don’t Get No Better Than This 4:01
(Dan Penn-Spooner Oldham/Dan Penn Music-Spooner Oldham Music, BMI)

When a Man Loves a Woman 3:19
(Calvin Lewis-Andrew Wright/Pronto Music-Quinvy Music, BMI)

Proud Mary (live) 3:38
(John Fogerty/Jondora, BMI)

All tracks except “Proud Mary” are from Rounder 11661-2053-2, A Change is Gonna Come

Solomon Burke vocal
Renard Poché guitars
Craig Wroten keyboards
David Barard bass
Herman Ernest III drums
Bill “Foots” Samuel alto, tenor and baritone saxophones
Terry Tullos trumpet
Ernie Gautreau valve trombone


“Proud Mary” is from Rounder 11661-2167-2, Soul Alive!

Solomon Burke vocal
Gabriel Rotello keyboards
Marc Ribot guitar
Dave Conrad bass
Bobby Kent drums
Arno Hecht tenor saxophone
“Hollywood” Paul Littoral trumpet
Crispin Cioe baritone saxophone


Compilation by Scott Billington
Mastered by Jonathan Wyner at M Works, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Photography © Jack Vartoogian/Front Porch Photos
Series design by Scott Billington and Devon Guillery