Joe Cocker
Heart & Soul

Well Well... "Heart & Soul" Joe Cocker's last album. Released in 2004 in Italy and in 2005 in America. The only difference being the arrangement of the tracklist and with a bonus track "One" live.

"Heart & Soul", the last album Joe has released so far. An album entirely of covers, never done before. He wanted to dedicate it to his favorite songs, from the past that is. "One" the first cover of the U2, well... he always liked it as a song but never allowed himself to redo it, then after hearing U2 themselves do a Frank Sinatra cover, he told himself he could redo "One". "I who have nothing" a heart-wrenching song... old, but always true and unforgettable. "What's going on" one of Marvin Gaye's biggest hits, so he made the cover keeping the approach more similar to the original. "Chain of fools" hehe... the lively song "of the moment," a nice cover from Aretha Franklin, perhaps improved because the technology of modern instruments wanted it... and anyway, Joe added his own touch... as in all the songs, improving them.
"Maybe I'm amazed" a cover from Paul McCartney rearranged and improved, Joe style. "I keep forgetting" another cover, improved in all respects. "I put a spell on you" a song full of "pathos" and love, a piece initially performed by Nina Simone. The intro is unique, it's the moment where Joe Cocker lends his throat to the song. "Every Kinda People" a song by his dear friend Robert Palmer who passed away in 2003, which he reinterprets in his own way giving it a less '80s and more '90s-00s pop feel. "Love don't live here anymore" another heart-wrenching cover done in the best way possible. "Don't let me be lonely" about this track, there's really nothing more to say. A unique ballad. "Jealous Guy" a song originally by John Lennon, and re-recorded and re-sung by Mr. Cocker in his own improved way, as every fan knows... Joe loves Reggae and thus, it came out as a splendid cover. "Everybody hurts" the last and splendid cover track by R.E.M., improved in acoustics, it's truly a work worthy of Joe Cocker of 2005, I truly believe that this, like few other occasions, proves that the covers are better than the original.

"ONE" live is also unique, recorded during "Night of Proms 2004" with an orchestra behind, on October 30, 2004. It must be noted that in "I who have nothing" there's a solo by Jeff Beck, one of the greatest guitarists in the world. While in "I put a spell on you" there's the solo of the greatest "perhaps" guitarist in the world: Eric Clapton!!!

In essence, the great Joe Cocker we must remember is over 60 years old, and yet despite his age he still manages to offer us unique tracks, of course, the voice isn't heart-wrenching... as before, but only now does it reach highs never heard before.