Cocker, Joe
Hard Knocks

Finally, after the last album "Hymn For My Soul," the new album of original songs by Joe Cocker has been released.

For over forty years, he has been on our radios, a protagonist in the world of music. With over 21 studio albums, four live albums, and numerous Bests with just as many unreleased tracks.

His warm, gritty, yet authentic voice is his trademark. He has sold millions of records and has achieved enormously successful singles worldwide.

The 10 new songs on Hard Knocks were recorded with producer Matt Serletic, with whom "the old lion of Sheffield" collaborates for the first time. The Californian emerged in the mid-'90s when working with the alternative rock band Collective Soul. Subsequently, Serletic has produced records for Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas, Blessid Union Of Souls, and Carlos Santana. "I met several producers around the time I met Matt," says Cocker. "We chatted in his studio. I told him I wanted to make a modern record, but not too modern. I know I have to compete with the 25-year-olds, but I'm not exactly the Green Day! A connection was created between us and I realized we could do something a little different together." The recording sessions took place in Los Angeles, at Serletic's own Emblem Studios, and saw the participation of a lineup of illustrious musicians such as Ray Parker Jr., Tim Pierce, and Joel Shearer on guitars, Josh Freese, Matt Chamberlain, and Dorian Crozier on drums, Chris Chaney on bass, and Jamie Muhoberac on keyboards.
Another producer Joe has worked with was none other than Tony Brown, a Nashville legend who once played the piano for Elvis Presley.
The track that made it onto the album is the only cover on the album, the Dixie Chicks song I Hope (from the 2006 album Taking The Long Way). For a singer who made history enhancing others' songs with his extraordinary voice and unique interpretative style, the number of original tracks on Hard Knocks may seem unexpected even to the most die-hard and longstanding fans. "I was once heavily criticized for the covers, especially by the younger people and the press. Unlike other bands and musicians who praise their latest work as the best they've ever done, Joe Cocker doesn't believe in the tales of 'stepping up to the next level' and instead prefers that consumers decide how Hard Knocks ranks among his other albums. "It's just my 21st album in forty-three years. It's not much," he reflects. "I'll wait to receive feedback from people. I haven't let them hear it yet." The singer will have to keep his curiosity for at least a few more days: today Hard Knocks is out, and tomorrow a European tour will begin, the first since 2007.

To be honest, there is an eleventh track, but it was never added to the type of album that was eventually released.

The first track "Hard Knocks" and the last "I Hope" are the only two songs reminiscent of Joe Cocker's latest style: soul.
The second track "Get On" brings to mind a Joe Cocker from the 80s-90s with sounds that might fit well in albums like "Unchain my Heart" or
"Respect Yourself"
The third, fifth, and ninth tracks are three songs that don't quite fit into Cocker's genre except that they remind of the ballads of "One Night of Sin," beautiful and very sweet.
The fourth "The Fall" vaguely reminds one of a hint of Prince, but with pop sounds... a peculiar piece for Joe Cocker.
The sixth track, similar to the second, recalls a more "robust" period of Cocker but at the same time with youthful sounds.
The seventh and eighth are two slow tracks, ready to become youthful classics, perhaps not very suitable for Joe Cocker's voice but
which actually give a double sense to the same music..

A beautiful unexpected album from Joe Cocker, a special album that can be placed next to the pop of "Respect Yourself" from 2001
and the novelty of the '70s always from the same Cocker. To be clear, I speak relatively all for COCKER's voice!

ENJOY YOUR LISTENING