|
 Rock icon Joe Cocker selects his 20 best, from the ‘60s to the
‘90s, for new ultimate collection
After 19 original albums, decades of hit singles, and a career
marked by truly classic records, Joe Cocker, one of rock’s most intense and
passionate performers, has chosen 20 of his favorites for his most expansive
career retrospective to date. Joe
Cocker: Ultimate Collection (A&M/Hip-O Records), released January
13, 2004, offers most of his biggest hits and more from 1968 to 2000, spanning
his years on A&M, MCA, Island, Capitol, Sony and Eagle Records. In addition,
the package’s booklet spotlights an essay by J.P. Bean, author of the
September 2003-published Joe Cocker: The Authorized Biography, along with
song annotations and rare photos.
Ultimate
Collection features his unforgettable renditions
of songs written by The Beatles (“With A Little Help From My Friends,”
“She Came In Through The Bathroom Window”), Leon Russell (“Delta Lady”),
Jimmy Cliff (“Many Rivers To Cross”), Randy Newman (“Sail Away,” “You
Can Leave Your Hat On”), Lovin’ Spoonful (“Summer In The City”), Leonard
Cohen (“First We Take Manhattan”), John Hiatt (“Have A Little Faith In
Me”) and Billy Preston (“You Are So Beautiful”). Even though others
recorded them first, the version of the song we remember is usually his. Also
heard are such artists as Jimmy Page, Brenda Holloway, Rita Coolidge, Bonnie
Bramlett, Sly & Robbie, Clarence Clemons and Bryan Adams, along with Newman,
Russell, Cliff and Preston.
Cocker’s debut album, With A Little Help From My Friends
(1969), featured his studio version of that ‘60s anthem which he sang at
Woodstock and Traffic’s “Feelin’ Alright” (U.S. Top 40). Later that
year, he again went Top 40 with “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window”
and released “Delta Lady.” In 1970, Cocker and Russell assembled a tribe of
musicians and their live performances became an album and landmark concert film:
Mad Dogs & Englishmen featured The Box Tops’ “The Letter” (Top
10) and Dinah Washington‘s “Cry Me A River” (Top 20). In 1974 he scored
with his #5-charting cover of “You Are So Beautiful.”
Ultimate
Collection picks up in the next decade with
“I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today,” a duet with The Crusaders. From
the acclaimed Sheffield Steel are “Sweet Little Woman” and “Many
Rivers To Cross.” Also in 1982 he earned his biggest hit to date, his #1 duet
with Jennifer Warnes, “Up Where We Belong,” the love theme from An
Officer And A Gentleman which scored both a Grammy and an Oscar. Other
‘80s tracks are “Shelter Me,” “You Can Leave Your Hat On” (which
accompanied a scorching scene in 9½ Weeks) and the Top 20 Bryan
Adams/Jim Vallance/Diane Warren-penned “When The Night Comes.”
The ‘90s are represented by “Now That The Magic Has Gone,” a
new rendition of “Unchain My Heart” he recorded for a “best of” album
(note: this was a remix w/ some overdubs) , “Summer In The City,” “Have A
Little Faith In Me,” “Sail Away” and “First We Take Manhattan.”
Today, Joe Cocker is not
only one of rock’s ultimate survivors but remains one of its genuine icons.
|
