In the words of rock and roll historian and Indiana University music studies professor Dr. Glenn Glass, Cocker “became the music,” solving the enduring question of “what is a frontman without a guitar supposed to do with himself?” With ferocious, spasmodic movements, shuddering and writhing like a man possessed, Cocker “was just transported somewhere else.”
Following an opening pair of Traffic covers performed without Cocker’s vocals by his backing outfit, The Grease Band, Cocker emerged to lead them through Bob Dylan‘s “Dear Landlord” and the set’s sole original song, “Something’s Coming On”. Honeybus‘s “Do I Still Figure In Your Life?” followed, before Cocker led yet another reimagined cover of a Traffic tune, “Feelin’ Alright”, which would go on to be one of the most beloved tools in his repertoire. Another Dylan tune, “Just Like A Woman”, was next, and The Coasters‘ “Let’s Go Get Stoned” came in close behind it.A cover of Ray Charles‘ “I Don’t Need No Doctor” was similarly reinvigorated by Cocker’s unhinged emotion and showmanship before yet another Bob Dylan cover, “I Shall Be Released”, brought the set to its final minutes. If you’re reading this and you’re unfamiliar with Cocker’s work and legacy, it may seem strange that such an acclaimed show was composed virtually entirely of covers. At the time, and in the years that followed, Cocker’ would deal with his fair share of critics who believe he made a career from passing off the musical and stylistic ideas of other artists—particularly black artists—as his own. Ray Charles himself even spoke out against Cocker for these reasons.
But the essence of Cocker’s enduring legacy, the true merit of his artistic vision, is perhaps best described by the Woodstock set’s final song: a totally revamped, fiercely emotional rendition of The Beatles‘ Sgt. Pepper hit “With A Little Help From My Friends”. Cocker and his band’s performance of the song was utterly magnetic, transforming the already incredible song into a gospel-flavored soulful spectacle and painting Joe as its mad maestro. Cocker’s recorded version of the song went on to hit #1 on the UK charts, was used as the theme song for hit TV show, The Wonder Years, and has generally entered the American cultural lexicon as a powerhouse in its own right. Joe Cocker’s Woodstock set helped vault him to stardom, and his enthralling rendition of “With A Little Help From My Friends” still remains after his death as the centerpiece of his lasting legacy.Watch Joe Cocker and the Grease Band’s iconic performance of The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends” below from the Woodstock movie:
Set: Dear Landlord, Something Comin’ On, Do I Still Figure in Your Life?, Feelin’ Alright, Just Like a Woman, Let’s Go Get Stoned, I Don’t Need a Doctor, I Shall Be Released, Hitchcock Railway, Something to Say, With a Little Help from My Friends
Cocker socks it to 'em on the Green
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Joe Cocker performed at the Mud House vineyard, Wairapa on Saturday. Apart from a bracket of songs from his 2007 album, Hymn For My Soul, the playlist was all from the singer's classic songbook.Waipara's weather gods turned on a glorious Canterbury evening for New Zealand's first Day on the Green concert.
The Australian vineyard tour has jumped the ditch this summer, and organisers could not have hoped for a better kickstart to their ambitions.
The Day on the Green recipe is good food, good wine and great music in a picturesque setting. Joe Cocker on stage, the sun setting on the Waipara Hills behind, and a glass of sauvignon at hand -- all boxes ticked.
I arrived just as Kiwi blues stalwart Hammond Gamble started his solo set in front of an audience more concerned with catching up and checking on the contents of picnic baskets. After 45 minutes he had won over those who were there to listen.Midge Marsden fared better with a band behind him. Many punters by now also had a few wines behind them, getting them up off picnic rugs and onto their feet dancing.
For most of the crowd the show started at 8.35pm when Joe Cocker strolled on stage and kicked into Hitchcock Railway, off his self-titled second album, way back in 1969.Apart from a bracket of songs from his 2007 album, Hymn For My Soul, the playlist was all from the Cocker classic songbook, Feelin All Right, My Baby She Wrote Me a Letter, Come Together. You Are So Beautiful proved he still has the pipes. Leave Your Hat On was its raunchy best. With a Little Help from My Friends prompted a breakout of platonic hugs. The encore included Delta Lady and She Came in Through the Bathroom Window. These were songs from the soundtrack of people's lives, and they were replaying the moment.The eight-piece band was polished to perfection. Some of the sax solos suffered in comparison to the Bobby Keyes originals, but Nick Milo and Mike Finnigan on keyboards and guitarist Gene Black made the most of their chances to shine. On the duet Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong, vocalist Nichelle Tillman was an excellent substitute for Jennifer Warnes.At 10pm, after a second encore, Joe was gone. Punters headed to their cars and into a waiting gauntlet of drink-driving checkpoints.