Search - Joe Cocker :: Best of

Mixed Bag Anthology

Brian D. Rubendall | Oakton, VA | 03/02/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

""The Best of Joe Cocker" contains the highlights of his career from after the period covered by his "Greatest Hits" album, so it must be noted that the version of "With a Little Help from My Friends" is newer and not the "classic" version. Cocker's later career was not nearly as interesting as his late 60s and early 70s peak. A song like the syrupy duet ballad "Up Where We Belong" may have been a massive hit, but it has little in common with the raw power of his best work. The album's best moments come early. The first three songs, "Unchain My Heart," "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and "When the Night Comes," may be a bit heavy on the bombast, but they are quite tuneful and Cocker's never been in better voice. After that the songs are less memorable, with few standouts.Overall, an up-and-down anthology from the latter part of Joe Cocker's great career."

Mostly unremarkable

Greg Brady | Capital City | 08/26/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"When Cocker has the right song (meaning a nice raw rocker), he turns out intense, emotional music. When he has slick 80s radio pop backing, the results are usually less involving.



HIGHLIGHTS:

His 90s smash "When the Night Comes" is truly great, combining a nice slowly building melody, some gospelly overtones, and a nicely restrained vocal that belts when it needs to. Outside of that one, his duet with Jennifer Warnes on "Up Where We Belong" continues to sound good. (Who on earth ever envisioned THAT pairing?!?! And how do we thank them?) An updated live version of Beatles cover "With a Little Help from my Friends" is an electric epic, going from strength to strength.



LOWS:

Cocker is NOT Jeff Lynne...not even if you back him with a Lynne produced track like "Night Calls". I'll stick with Tom Jones' version for the definitive "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (likewise Ray Charles' take on "Unchain my Heart").



BOTTOM LINE:

Most of Cocker's best stuff is late 60s, early 70s material like "Feelin' Alright" and "You are So Beautiful". You can get those and the best bits of this one on Hip-O Records ULTIMATE COLLECTION (ASIN B00016MSXU). Get that one instead."