Customer Reviews

Classic Cocker

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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+

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!!

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.

Although I purchased this CD for one song, I have to confess that this is an excellent CD, providing that you know the work of Joe Cocker. The songs are re-recorded in a more contemporary beat than their original recording, but this is what makes it timeless!

I am very pleased with this purchase, the seller was great!!! The Album is fantastic, the DVD is the best. I am on a long road trip right now and have played this CD numerous times over the last 5 days in the Great Southwest!

I have always enjoyed Cocker. This CD at the price I got was an exceptional bargin. I like every song and especially enjoy about 4 of the songs. Cocker's unique voice and the feelings he puts in every song
is always entertaining.

Thanks for your excellent service. My friend was thrilled to get this!
Sincerely,
Pat Scott

This is classic Cocker at his best. His versions of these greats are not your typical washed version that you find so often from today's whiny artists. If you are looking for R&B music with that soulful dirty whiteboy sound then you must put this one on your list.

When it comes to Soul acts that really are about soul from Britain today, many of them haven't been able to score hits within the past several years. From Elton John, Simply Red, and Phil Collins who've made quality records the past several years, it seems as if people here today would rather be interested in Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Joe Cocker has also been that kind of victim to the listeners of radio today. Although his musical blues and rock styles and standards haven't scored the past two decades, you can definitely count on him when it really comes to making quality songs. Considering the music he has made so well has shown brilliantly from his eras with A&M but also overshadowed the past several years through his Captiol classics. But they come alive alone on this exclusive online album.

Joe Cocker's 2007 Classic Hits, which features a different track listing than the actual Classic Cocker greatest hits album which is in record stores only, shows a much more welcomed reflection of Joe Cocker's Capitol records era during the 80's and 90's. The collection is remastered well, and shines brightly as a well-rounded reflection of Joe Cocker's brilliance and voice. There are also one or two additions from his times during his A&M works, mainly You Are So Beautiful. Nevertheless, the Capitol works are what steal the show, with tracks like You Can Leave Your Hat On, and his classic rendition of Ray Charles Un-Chain My Heart. Also, this online album also shines on those overlooked Capitol tracks from Don't You Love Me Anymore, and Night Calls work well into the mix.

Although the album fairs mostly well, there are a few disadvantages to the record. Classic Hits overlooks a few great tracks like his cover of Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word from Two Rooms, and mostly focuses in on live versions of Joe's classics from his 1990 album Joe Cocker Live!, instead of using the original versions of Delta Lady and With A Little Help With My Friends.

While there is so much to enjoy, Joe Cocker's Classic Hits stands still as a much better reflection of his Captiol Records era than many of the past greatest hits records like 2006's Joe Cocker Gold, and 2004's Ultimate Collection. I also feel terrible this version is not available in the stores, just through online music subscription sites only. It is a much better hits record than the actual Classic Cocker in music stores.

Songs: B 1/2-

Price: B+

Remastering: A-

Overall: B

Not included: Up Where We Belong, Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word, Cry Me a River, High Time We Went, Many River to Cross. Four songs: The Letter (Live), She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (Live), Feelin' Alright (Live), and With A Little Help From My Friends (Live) are from the 1989 album Joe Cocker Live when Joe's voice was not as good as in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Also the quality of those live recordings leaves a lot to wish. The same title CD at a lower price and with additional 8 video tracks on DVD does not seem to be a better choice for having 3 more popular songs missing. A much better compilation could be made of the first 10 tracks of The Best of Joe Cocker of 1993 and 8 tracks (the first 10 tracks except No. 3 and 9) of The Best of Joe Cocker: The Millennium Collection of 2000. They both cost next to nothing. Any CD burning program allows to do it within minutes.