I like to listen to Joe Cocker occasionally. His gravelly voice isn’t conducive to lengthy listening, but in small doses I find Cocker’s singing enjoyable. Organic was released in 1996 and I’d classify this CD as “mellow.” Randy Newman plays on it and so does Billy Preston. Cocker does a nice job covering songs like “Into the Mystic” and “Don’t Let Me be Misunderstood” (with a reggae arrangement).
My favorite song on this CD is “Can’t Find My Way Home,” the Steve Winwood classic. But there’s plenty to like on this collection of cover songs. Are you a fan of any of these songs? GRADE: B+
TRACK LIST:
- “Into the Mystic” – 3:31 (Van Morrison)
- “Bye Bye Blackbird” – 3:31 (Morton Dixon, Ray Henderson)
- “Delta Lady” – 3:16 (Leon Russell)
- “Heart Full of Rain” – 4:48 (Michael Dan Ehmig, Tony Joe White)
- “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” – 3:52 (Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, Sol Marcus)
- “Many Rivers to Cross” – 4:23 (Jimmy Cliff)
- “High Lonesome Blue” – 4:10 (Cocker, Tony Joe White)
- “Sail Away” – 3:00 (Randy Newman)
- “You and I” – 4:35 (Stevie Wonder)
- “Darling Be Home Soon” – 4:11 (John Sebastian)
- “Dignity” – 3:13 (Bob Dylan)
- “You Can Leave Your Hat On” – 3:46 (Newman)
- “You Are So Beautiful” – 2:43 (Bruce Fisher, Billy Preston)
- “Can’t Find My Way Home” – 3:53 (Steve Winwood)
- “Human Touch” – 3:46 (Bruce Springsteen)
- “Anybody Seen My Girl” – 3:02 (Kevin Moore)
- “Something” – 3:18 (George Harrison)
Some good songs here but I could do without Bye Bye Blackbird. And didn’t he already do some of these songs earlier like You Are So Beautiful to Me and Delta Lady? Although Winwood wrote Can’t Find My Way Home it was recorded by Blind Faith (Winwood , Clapton, Ginger Baker).
Steve, the highlight (for me at least) of the Steve Winwood-Eric Clapton tour a few years ago was their rendition of “Can’t Find My Way Home.”
Can’t Find My Way Home is also one of my favourites since many years ago. WE saw those two greats a few years ago open air in Munich – my wife was so happy!
Steve at the beginning of this millennium (sounds crazy I know) did tours through Germany so we heard him several times.
And long ago (I’ve probably written about this already) I followed him on a concert tour through Texas …
Funny story:
I was on a trip to London when the Blind Faith album appeared with that bare breasted girl on the cover – if I remember correctly in the USA they had to use a diffeent cover. So I bought this LP and proudly presented this to my friends in Germany – they were really envious!
Joe Cocker has been one of my favourites ever since his tour Mad Dogs and Englishmen – and Woodstock of course. He really was great in taking other people’s songs and reinterpreting them, like:
She came in through the bathroom window
Bird on a wire – sensational!
I have several dvds of his concerts in Germany – but never was lucky enough to see him live.
You are so beautiful and you can leave your hat on are also favourites of mine.
PS and a bit OT:
Joe was one of the stars at the biggest rock concert ever in London (famous Buckingham Palace, with a million people in the city watching and listening live, 200 million on tv!) together with Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood and many others …
What was the reason:
Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_at_the_Palace
Fond memories …
Some interesting covers, but nothing I’d feel an urgent need to pay money to hear. I liked Cocker’s two Beatle covers: “With A Little Help from My Friends” and “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window.” I also liked his take on the old Julie London classic, “Cry Me A River,” which owed a lot to Leon Russell’s arrangement and keyboards. I think, “fine—in small doses” is probably the kindest thing you can say about Cocker’s style.
Deb, one of the aspects of Joe Cocker’s later albums is the backup musicians. Plenty of great musicians back Joe Cocker up with a great sound.
Leon Russell which I also love was with Joe on that crazy tour through the USA. It seems it was a commercial flop – but the LPs sold in large numbers and the movie was a big success.
I especially like the performances of Chris Stainton on keyboards – he later also often played with Eric Clapton.
I do like a few of the songs, but if I never heard Cocker’s croak again that would be fine with me.
Michael, you’re right: Joe Cocker is an acquired taste.
We saw Joe Cocker with Beth Fedyn (a big fan) at Jazzfest in 2008 or 2009, and then opening for Huey Lewis & The News at Jones Beach in 2012. Besides the Beatles covers Deb mentioned, I love his live version of “The Letter.” I also like “Many Rivers to Cross” and “You Are So Beautiful.”
Jeff, I’m a big fan of Cocker’s version of “The Letter,” too.
Huey Lewis-Ugh.
Of course the Letter!
From the beginning “Give me a ticket for an aeroplane …” it’s marvelous.
As Jeff said, I saw Joe Cocker at Jazz Fest and he was amazing.
Following what I considered his unexpected/untimely death, I was really glad I got that experience.
I particularly enjoy Cry Me a River (not on this CD) and You Can Leave Your Hat On.
Beth, I really enjoy the Joe Cocker CDs from the 1980s.
Just checked. It was April 25, 2009.
I’ve liked him ever since I saw Woodstock in 1970.
Bob, Woodstock was a music festival held August 15–18, 1969, on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York, 40 miles southwest of Woodstock.
Or was it 1971?