I live right near the Soaring Eagle Casino. While I was returning home from a Peter Gabriel concert, an ad for Joe Cocker at the Soaring Eagle came on. I didn't think too much about it at the time.

The next day at lunch, I heard the ad again. Still in the concert mood, I made the call. Lucky for me, they had just released some very good seats that morn and I snatched up a pair. The next night, I was going to see Joe for the first time and thought to myself, how could I have missed this seeing this guy for the last 30 years?

Well...I will tell you, if this 58-year-old rocker is in your area, do yourself a favor and get to his show!

This show is in support of the album "Respect Yourself." I want to call this album a come back but the thing with Joe is that he never left. As I look at his discography, it is surprising that he has put out a multitude of albums in the last few years and with songs that had constant air play. For some reason it just seems like he hasn't been around.

One thing is for sure. With this album, Joe proves once more that he is one of the supreme vocalist of rock and roll. All you have to do is listen to the gritty rocker that opens this album, "You Can't Have My Heart." The first time I listened to it, all I could say to myself is ....."Joe, how could I forget about you till now?"

But not only do you get a vocal treat with this album, you get an album that captures the spirit of most 40-60 year old people. This is a grown up album for grown up people. It is an album that deals with issues that only those with some years of experience can appreciate.

Listening to songs like the the tug at your heart ballad, "You Took It So Hard" or the melancholy "I'm Listening Now" you get the sense that this is a guy singing from experience. Singing of the emotions and problems that a 20-year-old just has no comprehension of, (Even though they think they do!)

The other noticeable thing about this album is the many different styles that Cocker uses to define his varying moods within this disc. From crooning love songs (As much as Joe can croon that is!) like "Everytime It Rains" and to a lesser extent the bluesy love ballad "Midnight Without You" to funky jazz influenced numbers like the title song "Respect Yourself" and "Leave A Light On." From the melodic power pop songs like "This Is Your Life" and "Make Love not War" to the magical, thunderous rockers like "It's Only Love" and the highlight of this disc, "Never Tear Us Apart." Joe runs the gamut of musical styles that few singers can do with such ease.

Without a doubt there is something for everyone on this album. The song "Never Tear Us Apart" is worth the purchase alone. Not to mention that it is a song that provided me with one of those magical concert moments when you see a singer actually bring a house to it's feet with the power of his voice and not pyrotechnics.

For a 58-year-old rocker, Joe sounds as good as ever. Both live and on this album. With this disc, Joe gives you something that you just don't get very often, great music to listen to no matter what mood you are in. I can listen to this while cruising down the road as well as when I am curled up with ....whoever.

I doubt if you ever get a chance to hear much of this album on the FM dial, but it would be well worth your time to make a trip to Sam Goody.



Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Romancing