Customer Reviews

Live in La

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Joe Cocker "Live In LA" was recorded in 1972 and released in 1976. This was Joe's first tour since his famous Maddogs and Englishmen extravaganza. Although the tour received lukewarm reviews, this cd captures some of the raw rock and blues power that Cocker is famous for. His take on "Early In The Morning" is nothing short of thunderous. Some old favorites are here to enjoy like "Midnight Rider", High Time We Went" and "Hitchcock Railway". Riding on the success of the Maddogs tour Joe was now playing larger venues like Madison Square Garden in front of 20,000 people and the crowds responded and had fun regardless of what the critics were saying at the time. Joe gets ample support from the Chris Stainton[keyboards], Alan Spenner and Neil Hubbard[bass and lead guitar], Jim Keltner and Jim karstein[drums], Jim Horn, Jim Price and Bobby Keys[horns] and Felix Falcon[percussion]. His blusey version of the Stephen Stills classic "Love The One You're With" is a real treat and the best cover of that tune ever made. This is seventies classic rock at it's best. How can the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame continue to exclude this legend and vote in the Ramones? Go figure?

This is an immense album. How can so many fantastic songs, all sung to a level unmatched, be huddled together into one package. How many people have experienced Joe singing 'early in the mornin' where his sweet rough voice rides so freely, or 'St James Infirmary' one of his two versions of this song with a haunting guitar solo.'Do right woman' reaches unbelievable heights of emotion that other performers just don't reach. And when Joe sings 'Didn't you know you had to cry sometime' his voice takes you most enjoyably to the very pit of pain and despair. If you understand the blues, you'll understand the album. Without doubt, this album is equal to Mad Dogs and therefore there has never been a better album than this.