In Memoriam: 1944 – 2014
There are few artists who can boast having both an easily distinguishable voice, and an equally identifiable stage presence. There are even fewer who can boast a career that spans nearly six decades too. Cocker is one of the few that boasted all of those things – as well a number of awards including a Grammy. Undeniably cool – his career was set the moment he set foot on stage at Woodstock in 1969 to perform a cover of the Beatles’ A Little Help From My Friends. Known for his rough and ready covers of classic songs, this excellent live album – recorded in 1990 – is packed full of them. Recorded in the Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts (with the exception of the last two tracks which were recorded in the studio) this LP features tracks by Dave Mason, Randy Newman and The Beatles. Cockers gruff and infectious voice brings a whole new level of texture and you can easily imagine him moving along in his signature spasmodic style.
Why do you need this LP?
Few artists can mostly perform covers throughout their career and maintain such a following for so many decades. Cocker was unique, owed primarily to a live presence which drew enormous crowds up until very shortly before his passing. Live is what Cocker did best, so a live album composed of the tracks that go down the best at these shows is something truly special. And in its true analogue format, it’s something even more special still. Capturing not just the sound of the music, but the atmosphere and the very magic that kept audiences captivated across the six decades he performed.