"Sam Cooke is somebody other singers have to measure themselves against, and most of them go back to pumping gas." -Keith Richards

Nothing beats the original, but Aaron Neville does a beautiful version on the Yellow Moon album, which I can't believe is already 20 years old.

Nothing beats the original Slice but I agree the Neville Brothers do a beautiful job. Did you guys happen to catch the American Masters exploration of Sam Cooke and his music the other night? It was great stuff I remember my mom playing the Sam Sam Cooke record she and my dad had over and over that weekend way back when he was killed. Before that she would put my unbelievably cranky little brother to sleep listening to Sam Cooke's smooth silky voice. I know Sam Cooke is still something different because my son has Chain Gang on his I-Pod! Hard to believe that was so long ago.