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Editorial Reviews
As the original guitarist of Stax Records house band Booker T. & The M.G. s., Steve Cropper has had a storied career. Voted #36 on Rolling Stone s 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time, Cropper has worked with blues legends such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and the Blues Brothers Band. His debut album on 429 Records is a tribute to R&B and doo wop act, The 5 Royales. The collection features reworked versions of the groups most enduring songs, and includes duets with Lucinda Williams, Bettye Levette, John Popper, Sharon Jones, and others.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I have to say this is one of the best albums I have ever heard by Joe Cocker. Every song is a gem. The expression and intensity in his voice has never been better. What passion Joe has when he sings. The songs are highly inspirational.
The musicianship is excellent and the back up singers are really good. This is a captivating album. There is not one song I skip over to get to the next. The entire CD is excellent.
The musicianship is excellent and the back up singers are really good. This is a captivating album. There is not one song I skip over to get to the next. The entire CD is excellent.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Prime Cuts: Unforgiven, So It Goes, So
Cocker has taken the adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" to heart. Despite being on a new label with a new duo of producers and some of today's hottest songwriters on this new CD, this is still a patented Joe Cocker record. Rifled with hard rockers with anthemic choruses and epic ballads of the Jim Steinman vein, "Hard Knocks" makes no concession to dilute the enjoyment of true Cocker fans. Nevertheless, there are a few points of departures for Cocker. Unlike his previous CD "Hymns for the Soul" which was mainly cover songs, "Hard Knocks" only finds Cocker resurrecting one track (i.e., Dixie Chicks' "I Hope"). Also, in moving ahead with the times, Cocker has joined the au courant entourage of artists such as Matchbox Twenty, Blessed Union of Souls, and Stacie Orrico in enlisting Matt Serletic to produce 9 cuts with "I Hope" helmed by country stalwart producer Tony Brown. Not one to retreat to his rocking chair, this 66 year-old rocker has also garnered songs from American Idol's Kara Dioguardi (who has also written songs for Celine Dion, Demi Lovato and Fefe Dobson), Jeffrey Steele, Keb'Mo', Nick Lachey and Stephanie Bentley.
What is most rewarding about this CD is the way Joe Cocker bears his heart without sounding juvenile or frivolous. In fact, the ballads here are all superior and are frankly the gems of this disc. Though written by Kara Dioguardi, Mitch Allan and Nick Lachey, "Unforgiven" sounds like a track taken from Jim Steinman's portfolio. A brooding epic ballad that unpacks the burden of holding a grudge, this is the type of songs that truly will make a difference. More heart tugging moments abound with the story of a lost soul in "So It Goes." "So It Goes" is a gorgeous ballad that is given even more grit and earthiness by Cocker's gravel-like vocals. "So," coming from the pens of Chantal Kreviazuk and Tawgs Salter is a mature love ballad about honesty in a relationship that is a sober listen. Starting off with just the piano before the introduction of a heavenly choir, the gospel-like "Thankful" is pure bliss.
Other than the ballads aforementioned, blue-eyed rockers dominate starting with lead single and title cut "Hard Knocks." An autobiographical song of sorts of how the "bumps and bruises" of life helped shaped Cocker for who is, "Hard Knocks" boasts some of Cocker's most engaging performances in years. Yet, not all the tracks weigh with such hefty aptitude. "Get On" one of those cruising fun rockers that finds Cocker himself confessing that he does "listen to some Joe Cocker" himself. "Stay the Same," on the other hand, is a modern pop-ish endeavor that is just passable without being impressive. And the album's sole cover is Cocker's take of Dixie Chicks' "I Hope." While the Chicks' version was more commercial country, Cocker's take is more cluttered with more guitars and drums making it busier than called for.
In this day and age where even the older artists are taking a nod towards radio thus pilfering themselves of their identity, Cocker is to be congratulated for sticking to who he is. If you are a fan of Cocker from his earlier material, this CD will not disappoint. Despite the album's title, there are enough ballads here also to warm the heart. For even the "Hard Knocks" do have hearts too.
Cocker has taken the adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" to heart. Despite being on a new label with a new duo of producers and some of today's hottest songwriters on this new CD, this is still a patented Joe Cocker record. Rifled with hard rockers with anthemic choruses and epic ballads of the Jim Steinman vein, "Hard Knocks" makes no concession to dilute the enjoyment of true Cocker fans. Nevertheless, there are a few points of departures for Cocker. Unlike his previous CD "Hymns for the Soul" which was mainly cover songs, "Hard Knocks" only finds Cocker resurrecting one track (i.e., Dixie Chicks' "I Hope"). Also, in moving ahead with the times, Cocker has joined the au courant entourage of artists such as Matchbox Twenty, Blessed Union of Souls, and Stacie Orrico in enlisting Matt Serletic to produce 9 cuts with "I Hope" helmed by country stalwart producer Tony Brown. Not one to retreat to his rocking chair, this 66 year-old rocker has also garnered songs from American Idol's Kara Dioguardi (who has also written songs for Celine Dion, Demi Lovato and Fefe Dobson), Jeffrey Steele, Keb'Mo', Nick Lachey and Stephanie Bentley.
What is most rewarding about this CD is the way Joe Cocker bears his heart without sounding juvenile or frivolous. In fact, the ballads here are all superior and are frankly the gems of this disc. Though written by Kara Dioguardi, Mitch Allan and Nick Lachey, "Unforgiven" sounds like a track taken from Jim Steinman's portfolio. A brooding epic ballad that unpacks the burden of holding a grudge, this is the type of songs that truly will make a difference. More heart tugging moments abound with the story of a lost soul in "So It Goes." "So It Goes" is a gorgeous ballad that is given even more grit and earthiness by Cocker's gravel-like vocals. "So," coming from the pens of Chantal Kreviazuk and Tawgs Salter is a mature love ballad about honesty in a relationship that is a sober listen. Starting off with just the piano before the introduction of a heavenly choir, the gospel-like "Thankful" is pure bliss.
Other than the ballads aforementioned, blue-eyed rockers dominate starting with lead single and title cut "Hard Knocks." An autobiographical song of sorts of how the "bumps and bruises" of life helped shaped Cocker for who is, "Hard Knocks" boasts some of Cocker's most engaging performances in years. Yet, not all the tracks weigh with such hefty aptitude. "Get On" one of those cruising fun rockers that finds Cocker himself confessing that he does "listen to some Joe Cocker" himself. "Stay the Same," on the other hand, is a modern pop-ish endeavor that is just passable without being impressive. And the album's sole cover is Cocker's take of Dixie Chicks' "I Hope." While the Chicks' version was more commercial country, Cocker's take is more cluttered with more guitars and drums making it busier than called for.
In this day and age where even the older artists are taking a nod towards radio thus pilfering themselves of their identity, Cocker is to be congratulated for sticking to who he is. If you are a fan of Cocker from his earlier material, this CD will not disappoint. Despite the album's title, there are enough ballads here also to warm the heart. For even the "Hard Knocks" do have hearts too.
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By rocklover
Format:Audio CD
Wasn't expecting a blues leaning recording from Joe Cocker, but once I listened, it made perfect sense. It's Joe Cocker the way we all know and love him, with a kick. If you love Joe, love the blues, and love when an artist mixes the blues with some good ole rock, you will enjoy this cd. No disappointments here.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Met all expectations
He just gets better and better.
Especially love "Hard Knocks"
Get this- you won't be disappointed- guaranteed
He just gets better and better.
Especially love "Hard Knocks"
Get this- you won't be disappointed- guaranteed
Published 3 months ago by Bonnie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hard Knocks Rocks
This is Cocker at his best. He tells it like it is. Songs are deep and raspy. He's still got it.
Published 3 months ago by MBL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quintessential Cocker
This is everything I wanted it to be when I ordered it - I love the classic Joe Cocker and wasn't disappointed.
Published 3 months ago by Elizabeth Keenan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Put on some Joe Cocker!
Bought the CD after hearing Thankful on Sirius. Like Joe, I am truly thankful that I did. Strong from start to finish and it seems better each time I hear it. Get this album.
Published 3 months ago by soxfan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Christmas Present
I bought this to go in Husband's stocking. Don't tell him but I really purchased it for me. :D We have both enjoyed it!
Published 4 months ago by S. Ray
4.0 out of 5 stars
Joe Cocker is still making good music
Okay, would anybody have guessed that Joe Cocker would still be making good music in 2012?
Well, he is. Read more
Well, he is. Read more
Published 11 months ago by TJ - Mystery Reader
3.0 out of 5 stars
An American Treasure
JC has a unique voice; very rich and soulful. For this CD, I don't know that I've ever heard him sing better. Not many folks can claim the same after 50 years+ of performing. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Tim
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joe does it again
All Joe, new music but brings into mind the past. It's Joe, what can I say? And he had the good sense to marry Pam!
Published 12 months ago by Gearhead
5.0 out of 5 stars
typical Joe
Typical Joe Cocker and Company... really great sound, well written, and produced. A must buy for all those that enjoy really great musicians... two thumbs up!
Published 13 months ago by pms13131
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful
This is such a wonderful listen it truly is.Mr.Cocker puts his soul into every song on here he has never sounded better and it always sounds as if every song were written... Read more
Published 13 months ago by lucky Spot
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