Yes, it's called 'Cocker Happy', stop sniggering in the back !!
Joe is one of those singers who splits the room - there are many who thought he was great on the radio but couldn't bear him on the telly. To say his movements were individually expressive is possibly being kind, they could be slightly uncomfortable to watch but it certainly helped him get the message across.
Let's just dispel one story before we go any further. Joe Cocker is NOT related to Pulp singer/songwriter Jarvis Cocker. OK, on with the show.
The compilation here was only released in Australia, New Zealand and Spain, so I was lucky to be able to get it. There have been many more anthologies since to keep pace with the releases after 1971, but there are already at least 7 or 8 classics out of the 12 tracks on this LP.
As with most of his songs, this album reflects Joe's use of other people's works, either the writing and/or the recording, then reinterpreting them in his own distinctive style.
The album starts with one of my favourites. Cue the piano .. 5 seconds in and there's a guitar .. 8 seconds and .. MORE COWBELL !! It can only be the magnificent 'Hitchcock Railway'. Joe did this in 1969, just one year after it was recorded and released by José Feliciano, but who remembers that version? This is fast, furious and fun.
There are two Lennon/McCartney songs here .. obviously the 1968 single 'With A Little Help From My Friends' has to be there. It is probably THE song that Joe is known for above all others. It was on his first album, it was sung by him at Woodstock and it was liked so much by McCartney that Joe was encouraged to record 'She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' the following year.
'Marjorine', 'She's So Good To Me' and 'Something's Coming On' are all co-written by Joe. Apart from 'Marjorine' which was an early single release, the other two are really just fillers - although 'She's So Good To Me' can almost stand up on it's own.
Leon Russell, Joe's partner in crime through many projects, not the least of which was the infamous 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen' concerts, album and film, penned the brilliant 'Delta Lady' sung tongue in cheek by Joe. Full of all sorts of sexual reference and innuendo 'Delta Lady' by Joe was Leon's first major hit as a songwriter. The original lyric was "I'm over here in England" but because Joe WAS English he sang "when I'm home again in England".
'Feelin' Alright' was and is always one of my go-to Joe songs and I'm ashamed to say that it was many years before I discovered it was actually a Dave Mason composition recorded by Traffic on their eponymous 1968 album. Both versions are great and I have a new found appreciation for the original, although Joe's will never fade.
There's a cover of the Lovin' Spoonful track 'Darling Be Home Soon' from a 1966 movie soundtrack and also Joe's unique take on the 1967 Box Tops hit 'The Letter'. All in all, I credit myself with making a very wise purchase back in 1971.
I can't end any Joe Cocker review without mentioning the elephant in the room. His later song 'You Are So Beautiful' to me - is horrible. I'll just leave that there. It runs just over 'Up Where We Belong' on the cringeworthy chart. Fortunately the good outweighed the bad and 'Midnight Rider', 'Many Rivers To Cross' and the Randy Newman masterpiece 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' make up for the odd dud here and there.
Joe should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but he isn't. He's been put forward, but not selected. One theory is because, although he has a major body of work and has made a massive contribution, ultimately the majority of the stuff was not his own. I don't think that should stop him being included but there we are. Maybe one day.
In the meantime, this Yorkshire lad from Sheffield with the "gritty voice, spasmodic body movements and distinctive versions of popular songs" left an indelible mark on my musical history.
With a Little Help From My Friends
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