Classic Cocker

Joe Cocker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 28, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000T2PRJI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,127 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Cocker was the youngest son of a civil servant. He left school early and became an apprentice gas fitter. In 1961, he started his musical career in the pubs of Sheffield. Under the stage name Vance Arnold, Cocker sang with his band Vance Arnold and the Avengers. In 1963 the band supported The Rolling Stones at Sheffield City Hall. In 1964 Cocker brought out his first single, a cover of The Beatles' "I'll Cry Instead" with a new band, Joe Cocker Big Blues. This band ventured as far as France, where they played on American air bases. After a lull, Cocker teamed up with Chris Stainton, to form The Grease Band, in 1966. They were noticed by Denny Cordell, the producer of Procol Harum, The Moody Blues and Georgie Fame. Cordell set Cocker up with a residency at The Marquee Club in London.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Un-chained Heart, August 27, 2007

By 

Michael Kerner "Michael Kerner" (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Cocker (Audio CD)

When it comes to artists these days, they are just all about hype, and not even the simple essence of true voice. That is very unfortunate with wannabes like Britney Spears, Ashlee and Jessica Simpson and other who feel like they're #1, but remain worthless on merit. That is what so many people feel about artists from years ago who've maintained there peak years ago. Joe Cocker is one of those forgotten souls. Although his presence was very strong in the 70's and 80's, many people see him today as a forgone conclusion. Yet, a new hits album has just been released that doesn't make new fans seem to come in.

Classic Cocker, Joe Cocker's 2007 greatest hits album, is a single disc that mainly reflects on Joe's 80's era during his reign with Capitol Records, rather than his 70's commercial success with A&M in the 70's. The songs here have all been remastered nicely, but doesn't really maintain to be definitive enough for a single disc greatest hits album. Still, there are a lot of great songs here like his hits You Can eave Your On, Shelter Me, When The Night Comes, the upbeat rendition of Ray Charles' Un-Chain My Heart, and Civilized Man. The album though does include few highlights from A&M. The only constants is his smash standard You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong with Jennifer Warnes from An Officer & A Gentleman.

While the album sounds good, there just undoubtingly leaves a whole lot more to be desired. Although it tries to be definitive from his Capitol work, it really falls short from his 1993 Best Of Joe Cocker, which did a better job of his Capitol era. There are just a lot of great songs that were overlooked here including Don't You Love Me Anymore, Feels Like Forever, Night Calls and his cover of Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word which was featured from the Two Rooms tribute record. Also, the album instead relies on lesser-known songs Joe performed including What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted and live versions from Joe Cocker's 1990 live record of A Little help With My Friends, Edge Of A Dream and The Letter.

Although it is a great buy for longtime fans of Joe Cocker, it just really misses out on bringing newcomers to Joe Cocker's music, who seem to more interested in who has to be hot today. Still, Classic Cocker does have some really good songs, but falls short on being definitive as much as previous hits records like the 2004 Ultimate Collection, and 2006's Joe Cocker Gold. I suggest if you're new to his music, you might want to try something else, because it isn't enough when his night comes.

Album Cover: B

Songs: C

Price: C

Remastering: B+

Overall: C 1/2+

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars COCKER CLASSIC, October 21, 2007

By 

L. Ortwein "Elle" (DETROIT,MICHIGAN,USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classic Cocker (Audio CD)

To me, It's one more GREAT JOE COCKER "CLASSIC" cd to add to my collection,AND I LOVE IT!!! I love all 19 songs that have been selected to put on this one cd. You Can't go Wrong having this one or ANY COCKER CD FOR THAT MATTER!!! THEY ARE ALL GREAT!! This one gives you a few decades worth of "COCKER" material. A MUST HAVE!!

4.0 out of 5 stars Missing song, November 13, 2011

By 

CYNTHIA M CASTLE (MAPLE CITY, MI United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Cocker (Audio CD)

When ordering I listened to the songs listed on the amazon website. I ordered the complete CD mainly because of last song noted "Feels like Forever". When I received the CD, the song was not there...I didn't return the CD because the the hassle, and I still listened to the CD in my car, but was disappointed my favorite song was not there.