Respect Yourself

Joe Cocker

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 16, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red Int / Red Ink
• ASIN: B0000695TI
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #137,391 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Joe Cocker's ability to charge songs with passion, drama, and emotion is legendary. He first gained acclaim for turning the Beatles' sentimental "With a Little Help from My Friends" into a spine-tingling epic. On a good day, he can make a shopping list soar. It's a rare talent that Respect Yourself, his 20th studio album, depends on. The smoldering "Love Not War" and fantastically overblown soul stomper "You Can't Have My Heart" are undeniably brilliant, as Cocker puts his bluesy growl to spectacular use. There are plenty of vague rockers, too, including "This Is Your Life" and "Leave a Light On," which find Cocker working overtime to make them exciting. Invariably, he pulls it off, even managing to make the bluesy "I'm Listening Now" sound brooding and heartfelt. While most of the album's covers--including Randy Newman's blear-eyed "Everytime It Rains" and the swaggering title track--are prime for the Cocker treatment, his exaggerated bluster clumsily tramples the tender beauty of INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart." Still, it's the only must-skip moment in a mixed bag that proves Cocker remains a potent force. --Dan Gennoe

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Independent Joe, August 17, 2002

By	Michael Kerner "Michael Kerner" (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)

Since his career started in the late 1960's, Joe Cocker has made soulful music for years on end. Each album he has made has given us the same old sound and dominating force you'd expect from Joe.

His most recent album, Respect Yourself, is his second release from the independent label, Eagle Records. Sadly, a lot of places aren't able to carry this once in a lifetime album. Still, the tracks range from a variety of styles from R&B to Soul, a dash of Reggae, and a whole sliver of Rock. The songs on this album are also just as exciting. From his cover of INXS Never Tear Us Apart, to the soulful Every Time It Rains, and the Blues-felt song, I'm Listening Now.

Considering that many people would still listen to pop tarts and trashy teen artists and "Corpoarte Pop Performers" like Britney Spears, it is so nice to still have an escape from the heat. When Joe Cocker came out in the late 60's, he already proved that theory that looks aren't everything in the music industry. Now that it is the 21st century, Joe Cocker still shows that the theory is still displayed.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Still rockin And Soulin After All These Years., July 18, 2002

By	Anthony Accordino (Massapequa Park, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

Now in his late fifties, Joe Cocker continues to make great music. His latest cd "Respect Yourself" proves that the rock legend can still belt out a tune with the best of them. The highlights here include A cover of the Inxs tune "Never Tear Us Apart", The rocking "This Is Your Life", "Respect Yourself", "It's Only Love"[which could be a top adult contemporary hit if it received some airplay] and the Randy Newman penned ballad "Every Time It Rains". This cd is a vast improvement over his last release "No Ordinary World". After thirty plus years as a recording artist, It is amazing that the oldtimer can still make better than average recordings. Although he is no longer a major act, he remains a rock n roll legend who can still hold his own. Cheers to Joe!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cocker Rocks, December 1, 2002

By	Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

Joe Cocker rocks on "Respect Yourself," an excellent and consistently strong set. "You Can't Have My Heart" is a soulful midtempo track that oozes commercial potential. One of my favorite obscure writer/performers, Tom Snow, cowrote "Love Not War" which jolts forward toward a buoyant chorus, "Do you even know what you're fighting for, baby 'cause I can't take it any more, let's make love not war." "You Took It So Hard" is a romantic slow crooner. Patrick Warren's dramatic strings polish Michael Hutchence's diamond "Never Tear Us Apart." "This Is Your Life" a pleasant John Shanks track complete with John Shanks' guitar. The title tune is the second diamond on the CD, pulsing with Paul Bushnell's soulful bass. "I'm Listening Now" is an adequate song passionately sung by Joe with his soulful growl. "Leave A Light On" works its way to a firestorm chorus, "I believe there's a reason why it's meant to be; I believe there's a way that we can love & still be free." "It's Only Love" is another positive midtempo rocker. The CD slows for Randy Newman's "Every Time It Rains" that Joe milks for every drop of lonely emotion. The CD concludes with a jazz-inflected track cowritten by Chris Boti. "Respect Yourself" is great set from this classic rocker, fairly consistent with good quality material, making the most of Cocker's strengths. Enjoy!