You either love him or hate him. Personally, I love him. Not just the music. Perhaps because his entire culture as a Yorkshireman from Sheffield comes shining through. The cultural background helps to put life and meaning into the music and that's what soul is all about. Songs like "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" which I first heard as a student had a certain relevancy which, like the mop of curly hair, have faded somewhat over the years. This is mine in mid-flight around 1980. Sadly, today, just a memory. At least Joe did, eventually, catch up and, just for good measure, got the dreaded belly also (which I have managed to stave off).
Joe has been described as somewhat under-rated by my friend Crowbarred and I suppose he has a style which screams out cult following. Most people only know him for his rendering of the Lennon/McCartney classic "With a Little Help From My Friends" which enjoyed totally stunning and yet utterly different performances from the 2 artists. As music that defines an era goes it has to rate as what the 60s did for us as well as anything. For me, however, there are many others which better define Cocker such as "Sweet Lil' Woman", "Easy Rider", "Threw it Away", "Many Rivers to Cross", "The Letter" and my favourite, "Delta Lady".
I was delighted to discover in, of all places, The X Factor, a modern day Joe Cocker in Ben Mills. For the uninitiated The X Factor is the UK equivalent of American Pop Idol and is, indeed produced by the same guru, Simon Cowell who, incidentally, is the fastest moving earner in the music world today, having taken his wealth from a mere 60 mil to 100mil in the space of a year. I doubt if I would have persisted with The X Factor but for my curiosity about Ben Mills and my interest has been well rewarded (but no doubt not as much as Simon Cowell). I have transported the Sony music player from Ben's website so you can sample his music. Listen especially, if you will to "Picture of You" which, as well as being a fine song, has the voice at its best. I doubt if Joe could improve on the rendition - but I hope he tries.
Joe has been described as somewhat under-rated by my friend Crowbarred and I suppose he has a style which screams out cult following. Most people only know him for his rendering of the Lennon/McCartney classic "With a Little Help From My Friends" which enjoyed totally stunning and yet utterly different performances from the 2 artists. As music that defines an era goes it has to rate as what the 60s did for us as well as anything. For me, however, there are many others which better define Cocker such as "Sweet Lil' Woman", "Easy Rider", "Threw it Away", "Many Rivers to Cross", "The Letter" and my favourite, "Delta Lady".I was delighted to discover in, of all places, The X Factor, a modern day Joe Cocker in Ben Mills. For the uninitiated The X Factor is the UK equivalent of American Pop Idol and is, indeed produced by the same guru, Simon Cowell who, incidentally, is the fastest moving earner in the music world today, having taken his wealth from a mere 60 mil to 100mil in the space of a year. I doubt if I would have persisted with The X Factor but for my curiosity about Ben Mills and my interest has been well rewarded (but no doubt not as much as Simon Cowell). I have transported the Sony music player from Ben's website so you can sample his music. Listen especially, if you will to "Picture of You" which, as well as being a fine song, has the voice at its best. I doubt if Joe could improve on the rendition - but I hope he tries.
Pierre
Tags: Joe Cocker Ben Mills Yorkshireman Sheffield music soul student 60s X Factor Pop Idol Simon Cowell wealth Sony Picture of You
