Cocker (album)

Cocker
Studio album by Joe Cocker
Released	April 1986
Genre	Adult contemporary
Length	45:55
Label	EMI
Producer	Richie Zito, Terry Manning, Ron Nevison, Albert Hammond and Diane Warren, Bernard Edwards
Joe Cocker chronology
Civilized Man (1984) Cocker (1986) Unchain My Heart (1987)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Sputnikmusic	3/5[2]

Cocker is the tenth studio album by Joe Cocker, released in April 1986, his second on Capitol label. It features hit singles "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and "Don't You Love Me Anymore", the first made popular after its use in the famous striptease scene in the film 9 1/2 Weeks. Released as a single, Cocker's version of the song peaked at No. 35 on Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. The album also features rendition of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues", a Motown legend's classic lament to urban decay.

Where Civilized Man, Cocker's previous album, had two producers, Cocker had five. Also, the recording sessions took place in several studios in London, Memphis, Los Angeles and New York. The reason for this was Capitol trying out on Joe Cocker a formula that had brought success for Tina Turner. The album also featured, for the first time since 1976's Stingray, Cocker's touring band, who played on five tracks.

The release of Cocker was preceded by a single "Shelter Me", a powerful opener from the album, featuring rousing performances from guitarist Cliff Goodwin and saxophonist Mel Collins.

The album is dedicated to Joe Cocker's mother, Marjorie (Madge) Cocker, who died during the recording sessions.

Track listing

1. "Shelter Me" (Nick DiStefano) – 5:36
2. "A to Z" (Tom Kimmel) – 4:21
3. "Don't You Love Me Anymore" (Albert Hammond, Diane Warren) – 5:25
4. "Living Without Your Love" (Michael Bolton, Doug James) – 4:09
5. "Don't Drink The Water" (Richard Feldman, Pat Robinson) – 3:25
6. "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (Randy Newman) – 4:14
7. "Heart of the Matter" (Ronald Miller, Billy Aerts) – 4:20
8. "Inner City Blues" (Marvin Gaye, James Nyx Jr.) – 5:51
9. "Love Is on a Fade" (Stephen Allen Davis, Dennis Morgan) – 4:04
10. "Heaven" (Terry Manning) – 4:32

Sessions outtake

1. "Tell Me There's A Way" (Roy Freeland, Beppe Cantarelli) – 4:04

Personnel

• Lead vocals – Joe Cocker
• Guitar – Neal Schon, Richie Zito, Eddie Martinez, Cliff Goodwin, Dann Huff
• Bass – Vito San Filippo, Bernard Edwards, Randy Jackson, Arthur Barrow, Mike Moran
• Keyboards – Mike Moran, Arthur Barrow, Jeff Lorber, Larry Marshall, Jeff Bova, Michael Boddicker, Howard Hersh
• Drums – Michael Baird, Anton Fig, Eric Parker
• Saxophone – Mel Collins, Andrew Love
• Horn – Dick Hyde, Steve Madaio, Joel Peskin
• Background vocals – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren, Curtis King, Maxine Green, Julia Tillman Waters, Leslie Smith, Joe Turano, Elesecia Wright, Maxine Waters

Production notes

• Produced by Terry Manning (1–2, 8–10, and "Tell Me There's a Way"), Albert Hammond and Diane Warren (3), Ron Nevison (4), Bernard Edwards (5) and Richie Zito (6–7).
• Recorded at Ardent Studios, Memphis, Abbey Road Studios, London, The Workhouse, London (1–2, 8–10), Criterion, Hollywood (3), Air Studios, London, Record Plant, Los Angeles (4, 7), Power Station, New York (5), Oasis Recording Studios, Universal City, Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood (6).
• Arranged by Bob Ezrin.

Chart performance

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References