With a little help from his friends ...

Which one of Joe Cocker only sometimes good songs with the most hideous production know - in other words, everything he has published since the early 80s - and holds it for the uncool singer beyond the similar deep decline Rod Stewart, will hardly hold possible that the man has sometimes made a few good slices and with Mad Dogs & Englishmen even a true classic. Admittedly, the associated Tour (1970) has gone down in rock history mainly because of their alcohol and drug abuse and because of the already somewhat unstable singer after some time completely broke and mentally was quite over. After all, some of the concerts were recorded but and a reconsideration on the basis of this fine deluxe reissues may elicit some listeners a "Well hello!". Accompanied by a great big band - about 20 people, only 3 drummer (!) - To Cocker sings on songs like Alex Chilton's "The Letter" or Dave Mason's "Feelin 'Alright" and a fine Blues / Soul Medley the soul from the body to say nothing of various Beatles numbers (1x Harrison, 3x Lennon / McCartney), including its Woodstock-Hit "With A Little Help From My Friends." The most pleasing fact is that he does this in a meeting organized by Leon Russell friendly environment, something that is denied strictly for decades, with known deplorable results. Russell's arrangements but let Cocker enough space and enjoy with beautiful old-fashioned piano and Hammondklängen, lots of percussion and fine guitar. Although some of the songs are on which several background singers sometimes ans Lead Micro were more dispensable, but compensate Leon Russell's solo spots. Among the bonus tracks enjoy especially "The Weight" and "Something" and the studio versions of "Space Captain" and "The Letter". Those who are not too cool to ever hold a Joe Cocker album intrinsically mention should be to choose this. Just about the man was never again.