Search - Joe Cocker :: Heart & Soul

Up there with the best of Cocker

T. Davis | Seattle, WA | 10/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Joe Cocker's appeal has always lain in his poetic ability to dredge up and transmute the tragedy of loss and loneliness into powerful and beautiful dirges, and in the stark contrast between his ragged croak of a voice and a lush background of female vocals, wailing guitars, and slick orchestration. Listening to his songs, one feels as if someone has photographed the grittiest scene of urban despair -- a homeless addict contemplating suicide, perhaps -- and placed it in an ornate frame in a high-class gallery.



This CD contains all of the elements that have made Cocker so popular, and his selection of classic and contemporary songs is superb. A couple of the tracks may be a bit less successful than the rest, but all of them are heartfelt and soulful. While not as sublime as his albums of the late 60s and early 70s, this recording is far superior to some of the CDs he released in the late 90s and early 00s. It marks a clear return to form for the master of misery."

Very enjoyable, if not perfect

J. Rootellis | Wisconsin, United States | 12/14/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Joe Cocker can still make an entertaining album. Great mix of songs!



I like the arrangements of many of these songs, and Joe Cocker with his huge talent is able to use his more limited vocal range well.



The main complaint I have is that some of the instruments sound programmed and sampled. But overall worth owning and listening to."