Joe Cocker
Stingray

THE REVIEW

STINGRAY - 1976

January 2009, I find myself writing about an album that today has reached 33 years.

After the previous album "Jamaica say you will" which was not very successful the year before, "STINGRAY" was released. An album that marks a crucial point for Joe, the musical vein he loved the most but was little exploited, reggae.

This album takes advantage of many historical and still common collaborations. Among the most prominent names are:
Eric Clapton, Peter Tosh. Two names that give a lot of meaning to the album itself. Firstly, the friendship with E. Clapton and then the music of Peter Tosh, as I said before... very familiar to Joe.
From the very first listen, we manage to perceive a note of jazz in the album, a good mix of sounds and rhythms.
Finally, with this album, we can define a genre for the new Joe, after the Mad Dog... past.

Track Listings

1. The Jealous Kind - Joe Cocker, Bobby Charles

2. I Broke Down - Joe Cocker, Matthew Moore

3. You Came Along - Joe Cocker, Bobby Charles

4. Catfish - Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan

5. Moon Dew - Joe Cocker, Matthew Moore

6. The Man in Me - Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan

7. She Is My Lady - Joe Cocker, George Clinton

8. Worrier - Joe Cocker, Matthew Moore

9. Born Thru Indifference - Joe Cocker

10. A Song for You - Joe Cocker, Leon Russell

The standout tracks are:
"CatFish" for its very slow and sinuous sound...
"The Man in me" for the more significant participation of Peter Tosh and Joe's great interpretation in his favorite musical genre...
"She is my lady" for Joe Cocker's great interpretation...
"A Song for You" the last track of the album truly moving....

Once upon a time, tracks were crafted for the album, and I must say that this is a complex album, meticulously crafted and therefore perfectly aligns with Joe Cocker in his studio perfection and at the same time in the greatness of live performances.
I stop here in the review, unfortunately, I've only been listening to this album for a few years, its CD release is very scarce, and not being very "old," I can't be precise in saying what "STINGRAY" managed to offer in 1976. For this reason, I stop and suggest purchasing and listening to this album so exquisite and passionate, never monotonous and tiring. GREAT JOE...