Joe Cocker's Finest In Many Years

RESPECT YOURSELF is Joe Cocker's finest CD in about 25 years. Most of the songs are great, and, in fact, as for the editor who called his version of INXS' "Never Tear Us Apart" a "must-skip moment", his kids should pay for his sin through a school community service program. This version shows that Cocker is equally at home with new-wave pop songs as he is with the blues/R&B/soul sounds that originated in such areas as Muscle Shoals, Detroit, Texas, St. Louis, Tulsa, Chicago, Memphis, and Kansas City. The absolute highlight of this CD is "This Is Your Life", which has inspired me to increase my resolve not to go back to my old school's Thanksgiving dinner with the line "Gotta give it up, gotta let it go, 'cause hangin' on like this, only breaks the flow." This is a wonderful album that you should get along with his first three, THE ANTHOLOGY, SOMETHING TO SAY, I CAN STAND A LITTLE RAIN, and THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION.

Far from Cocker's best!

Joe Cocker is a long time favourite of mine, with his great and characteristic voice. I don't know if Cocker himself is having trouble writing music and lyrics, but the fact is that he choose to work with professional songwriters. If I were Cocker I'd replace a lot of the songs on this album since the lasting impression is that the songs blend together. The only exceptions are "You can't have my heart" (the best song on the album), "Love not war" and "It's only love". The rest is rather mediocre.

To rate this album I need two different scales: one comparing to other bands/artists and one comparing this with Cocker's other work. If I'm rating this effort with contemporary music in mind I give it 3 stars but compared to Cocker's other albums (at least from 1986 and forward) it can't be anything higher than 2 stars. In fact, Cocker's last four albums suffer from the same disease - too many slow numbers and not top quality material, but it usually gets saved by Cocker's amazing voice.

If you're curious about Joe Cocker I strongly suggest you start with the excellent "One night of sin" (1989) and "Have a little faith" (1994). If you like them you can also check out "Night calls" (1991) and "Unchain my heart" (1987). These four albums show Cocker in top form and the songs are much better than they are on more recent albums.

Cocker Rocks

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!

Still Rockin And Soulin After All These Years.

Now in his late fifties, Joe Cocker continues to make great music. His latest release "Respect Yourself" finds the rock legend in fine form. The cd is full of well crafted stompers and ballads. Some of the highlights include, his take on the INXS tune "Never Tear Us Apart", the rockin "This Is Your Life", "It's only Love" and the Randy Newman penned "Every Time It Rains" which is a fantastic ballad that proves that Joe can instill emotion and passion into a song like no other. The song "It's Only Love" could easily be a lite FM contemporary hit if it can get some airtime? If Faith Hill sang that song it would be a mega hit. There is little filler here, making this one of Joe cocker's finest releases in years. Don't miss this one when it is released domestically july 16th 2002. Joe is due to tour the states this fall which is great news for classic rock fans everywhere. "Respect Yourself" proves that Joe Cocker still has plenty to offer after thirty plus years as a recording artist. Cheers to Joe.