groselicain Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I'll make this short and to the point if I can. yesterday on the drive back from VA, I heard the Cocker version of With A Little Help From My Friends. It made me think about seeing him on Austin City Limits and thinking he was amazing. Then I tried to think of other Cocker songs, and every song I came up with was someone else's song. So, discuss your thoughts on the man; talented vocalist only able to cover other talented writers, or flat-out hack? I'll keep my opinion to myself until others have responded. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I really like his version of "With A Little Help From My Friends," but tend to think it's a bit long. I don't really know any of his other work. He sure reminds me of fond memories of my youth, watching The Wonder Years with my family. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 His first two albums (With a Little Help From My Friends and Joe Cocker!) and the live Mad Dogs and Englishmen are all definite classics, but yeah, he's mostly an interpreter of other people's songs, not a songwriter. I haven't liked most of what I've heard from him post-1970, but I spin those first three records pretty regularly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JUDE Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I like his version of She came in through the bathroom window. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mchchef1 Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 For a white dude Got much SOUL!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jc4prez Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I just bought mad dogs the other day. He def. has a great voice but without great songs to sing he would have been nothing Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I am currently waiting on the fartknocker cd place to get in the first two albums - re-mastered - that I ordered about a week ago. I have had those records since I was about 14 or so I think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I really like his version of "With A Little Help From My Friends," but tend to think it's a bit long. I don't really know any of his other work. He sure reminds me of fond memories of my youth, watching The Wonder Years with my family.His scream in With a Little Help is one of the greatest screams in all of rock history,& still gives me goosebumps.Great to catch live,as well Scott Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tweedy's Gurl Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 i saw him several years back...he opened for tina turner...great show. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 i love Hitchcock Railway Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I got this not to long ago: This in reality the third and fourth incarnation of Grease band line-up, and this was recordedbetween October 68 to October 69 for the BBC, so you gonna listen to when Chris Stainton was the bass player and one year later he taking over the keyboards, and they got a new bass player in Alan Spenner, so then we got the familiar line-up that was recorded with the Spooky Tooth on The Last Puff, so please enjoy this nice and fine album. 01 - Run Shaker Life (2:42) (Richie Havens)02 - With A Little Help From My Friends (4:47) (Lennon-McCartney)03 - Marjorine (2:45) (Cocker-Stainton-Rattigan-Myles)04 - Change In Louise (2:39) (Cocker-Stainton)05 - Can't Be So Bad (3:34) (Don Stevenson-Jerry Miller) Track 1,2,5 recorded October 13 1968Track 3,4 recorded October 14 1968 Joe Cocker - VocalsTommy Eyre - OrganHenry McCullough - GuitarChris Stainton - BassKenny Slade - DrumsSue & Sunny - Backing Vocals 06 - Let's Get Stoned (5:17) (Simpson-Ashford-Armstead)07 - That's Your Business (2:26) (Cocker-Stainton)08 - Hitchcock Railway (4:16) (Dunn-McCashen)09 - Lawdy Miss Clawdy (2:24) (Lloyd Price)10 - Darlin' Be Home Soon (4:37) (John Sebastian)11 - Hello Little Friend (3:58) (Leon Russell)12 - Delta Lady (3:00) (Leon Russell) Track 6-8 recorded September 21 1969Track 9-12 recorded October 11 1969 Joe Cocker - VocalsChris Stainton - KeyboardsHenry McCullough - GuitarAlan Spenner - BassBruce Rowland - Drums This recording was recorded for BBC in 1968 - 1969This release is from 1997 on Strange Fruit Just enjoy these versions of the great songs from the fantastic Joe Cocker in early age. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Saw him in concert back in the 80s, and America opened. He had just had a little resurgence, but I can't for the life of me remember the name of the single. It was good, though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 leave you hat on?unchain my heart? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I'll make this short and to the point if I can. yesterday on the drive back from VA, I heard the Cocker version of With A Little Help From My Friends. It made me think about seeing him on Austin City Limits and thinking he was amazing. Then I tried to think of other Cocker songs, and every song I came up with was someone else's song. So, discuss your thoughts on the man; talented vocalist only able to cover other talented writers, or flat-out hack? I'll keep my opinion to myself until others have responded. Here is a great clip of this song, with the unknown lyrics finally clarified: http://www.elwp.com/Joe%20Cocker.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Last week I got the Beatles anthology 2 from the library. It says Joe Cocker recorded his version of "Something" before the Beatles recorded their version. I found that pretty incredible. His first two albums can stand up to just about any record ever released, in my opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Smith Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Best Joe Cocker moment ever for me was when he appeared on SNL and Belushi came out and sang with him mimicking his stage movements. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howdjadoo Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbR0kj0rYYA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Saw him in concert back in the 80s, and America opened. He had just had a little resurgence, but I can't for the life of me remember the name of the single. It was good, though. He had that duet thing (Where the Eagles Fly?) that was pretty big...not my favourite Cocker moment. From the 80's I really enjoyed Sheffield Steel..and still spin it occasionally. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Passed away today. Been re-watching Wonder Years via Netflix --- still bugs me that they had to put a fake version of Cocker's version of With a Little Help From my Friends. Still play that record quite bit - nice set of credits throughout that record. http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-30582761 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 I spent a lot of time several years ago tracking down the re-masters of With A Little Help From My Friends and Joe Cocker !. Two really great albums. I guess he had some health problems over the past several years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Bummer. RIP, Joe! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Damn, I wasn't expecting this. This saddens me. I've been listening to his first two records a lot lately. So good, particularly the self titled one. It sure would have been cool to see him team up with Leon Russell one more time, but it was not to be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Bummer! I'll spin Mad Dogs and Englishmen tonite in his honor... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 I saw him open for Tina Turner on her final tour. He was very good. His records were a college staple when I was a youngster. I can tell you this; this dying shit has to stop. RIP Joe. Great performance in the Woodstock movie as I recall. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chez Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 RIP, Joe. Love his covers of "The Letter." "Feelin' Alright," and "With a Little Help From My Friends." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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