Saturday, April 26, 2008

Yahoo LAUNCHCAST Song Of The Day-Joe Cocker


Artist:Joe Cocker

Song:She Came Into The Bathroom Window

Album:20th Century Masters:The Millenium Collection:The Best Of Joe Cocker




Raspy voiced blues rocker Joe Cocker became popular in the late 60s on the Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour. He has softened his sound over the years. He was born May 20, 1944 in Sheffield, England. He started out in 1963 with the stage name Vance Arnold and The Avengers. In 1964 he toured England as Joe Cocker Big Blues. In 1966, Cocker formed The Grease Band with keyboard player Chris Stainton. They were spotted by Procol Harum producer Denny Cordell and Cocker's first solo album With A Little Help From My Friends was released in 1969 on A & M Records. Cocker seemed to be more popular in America and for his second album Joe Cocker, he got together with Leon Russell and the Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour was put together. Cocker became known for Beatles covers so it's not surprising that She Came Into The Bathroom Window did well. The Mad Dogs & Englishmen film also did very well. I think his visual mannerisms on stage made some folks think there was something weird about him but there wasn't. Cocker had alcohol problems and it affected his voice in the early 70s. Also, Cocker & Stainton tried to write their own songs but Cocker has always been better doing covers. But in 1974, he reinvented himself with producer Jim Price and a host of Los Angeles session musicians as a pop crooner with the Billy Preston song You Are So Beautiful and his 1981 duet with Jennifer Warnes Up Where We Belong was a huge hit. This budget comp covers his early material. He moved to Capitol in the 80s and Cocker still records for EMI. His latest CD Hymn For My Soul was released in Mar. 2007. I like his earlier songs. Mad Dogs & Englishmen is a fun film. His recent music doesn't do anything for me. Here's Joe Cocker performing She Came Into The Bathroom Window from the film Mad Dogs & Englishmen.

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