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Elly Roberts reviews
Parlophone (EMI)
- May 2007
- Rating: 6/10
Covers album from the man who brought the world the definitive version of the Beatles With A Little Help From My Friends back in 1968.,
Since then a string of less impressive singles have followed, but he continuesto roll out the albums, this one making No.14 in the charts.
Scouring the songbooks of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty Andy Fairweather-Lowe,Joe Cocker does his usual personal interpretations with sparklingeffect. By definition, its the voice that does all the real work here, thoughthe various band line-ups that include one of the greatest drummers in theworld, Jim Keltner, have done a fine job too.
In most part, this album really works, though it has some weak spots. Incharge of the decks is wunderkind Ethan Johns whose midas touch has helpedRufus Wainwright, Ryan Adams, Razorlight and Ray Lamontagne. Here, he getsmixed outcomes.
The best results are found on rasping R&B opener, Stevie Wonders You HaventDone Nothin, where he also plays guitar. A mellow One Word (Peace)is well handled but is a bit inane in terms of real impact, with Love IsFor Me turning out to be a bit a damp squib. After a ropey start, DontGive Up On Me eventually becomes more interesting with some fine work byDavid Palmer on piano and Mike Finnigan on B3, adding an Animals-like quality.
Diamond in the centre is the classy John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) gem,Long As I Can See The Light which Cocker really finds his moment, supplementedby Greg Leiszs stunning steel guitar picks. This is the albums major highlight.Harrisons Beware Of The Darkness is sung well, but its an awkward songfor Cocker, and a tad limp.
Reggae-African sprinkled Just Pass It On is well arranged with somegreat touches from backups . Ragtagle pub rocker Rivers Invitation isa major low point, with Dylans Ring Them Bells isnt really Cockerterritory for me. Lightweight R&B title track Hymn 4 My Soul fairs better,with Cocker finding his feet once again.
Weblink:joecocker.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. You Havent Done Nothin
2. One Word (Peace)
3. Love Is For Me
4. Dont Give Up On Me
5. Long As I Can See The Light
6. Beware Of The Darkness
7. Just Pas It On
8. Rivers Invitation
9. Ring Them Bells
10. Hymns 4 My Soul
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.