Hymn For My Soul - Joe Cocker Album Review

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Album Review

Covers album from the man who brought the world the definitive version of the Beatles' 'With A Little Help From My Friends' back in 1968. Since then a string of less impressive singles have followed, but he continues to roll out the albums. Week commencing May 4, it's dropped from 14 to 27 in the UK album charts after three weeks on chart. Scouring the songbooks of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty Andy Fairweather-Low, Cocker does his usual personal interpretations with sparkling effect. By definition, it's the voice that does all the real work here, though the various band line-ups that include one of the greatest drummers in the world, Jim Keltner, have done a fine job too. In most part, this album really works, though it has some weak spots. In charge of the decks is wunderkind Ethan Johns whose midas touch has helped Rufus Wainwright, Ryan Adams, Razorlight and Ray Lamontagne. Here, he gets mixed outcomes. The best results are found on rasping R&B opener, Stevie Wonder's You Haven't Done Nothin', where he also plays guitar. A mellow One Word (Peace) is well handled but is a bit inane in terms of real impact, with Love Is For Me turning out to be a bit a damp squib. After a ropey start Don't Give Up On Me eventually becomes more interesting with some fine work by David Palmer on piano and Mike Finnigan on B3, adding an Animals like quality. Diamond in the centre is the classy John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) gem, Long As I Can See The Light which Cocker really finds his moment, supplemented by Greg Leisz's stunning steel guitar picks. This is the album's major highlight. Harrison's Beware Of The Darkness is sung well, but it's an awkward song for Cocker, and a tad limp. Reggae-African sprinkled Just Pass It On is well arranged with some great touches from backups . Rag tagle pub rocker Rivers Invitation is a major low point, with Dylan's Ring Them Bells isn't really Cocker territory for me. Lightweight R&B title track Hymn 4 My Soul fairs better, with Cocker finding his feet once again.

Elly Roberts