Joe Cocker’s recorded career really leaves a lot to be desired. In 41 years, he has now released 22 studio albums, and you would struggle to find any more than a couple of truly memorable songs from any of them. That’s not to say he hasn’t made any great records (Sheffield Steel and Hymn For My Soul are fantastic), just that more often than not, Cocker’s albums really disappoint. He has, though, enjoyed a stellar reputation as a live performer, which is well-deserved because the few times I have seen him perform, he has never given anything less than 100%.
Cocker’s most memorable performance was no doubt his show-stealing set at Woodstock, which saw him famously (and drastically) reworking The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends.” After a rather bleak decade (the 1970’s), Cocker was rediscovered by a whole new audience when he lent his bluesy rasp to the theme song from the motion picture, An Officer And A Gentleman. “Up Where We Belong” (a duet with Jennifer Warnes) was a worldwide hit that garnered the pair a Grammy at the 1983 Awards.
Since then, Cocker’s records have mainly been AOR affairs with a few hit singles every now and then. These included great versions of Randy Newman’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On” and the Ray Charles classic “Unchain My Heart.” Of later years, Cocker has reinvented himself as the elder statesman of blue-eyed soul to great effect. His best album of the last twenty or so years is easily 2007’s Hymn For My Soul (which found him offering soulful renditions of great songs from a host of his favorite composers (George Harrison, Stevie Wonder, and John Fogerty to name a few).
So for album number 22, Cocker has returned to the pop-rock sound he stuck with pretty much throughout the ‘90s, and while it really doesn’t break any new ground, it is one of his best efforts. Hard Knocks kicks off with the funky title track that finds Cocker relating a story of a street education. It’s a great fit for Cocker as his voice really hasn’t changed from the battle-weary rasp that has served him well for the last thirty years. The even funkier “Get On” is all about the infectious groove that is great fun, and Cocker even namedrops himself (“The party’s getting hotter / Break out the fire water / Turn on some Joe Cocker.”) That’s pretty cool if you ask me.
More highlights include the understated funk and grand chorus of “The Fall” and the album’s superb closer, a gospel influenced soul ballad “I Hope.” There are, of course, a couple of weak ballads that offer nothing new (“Unforgiven” and “So”), but there is enough energy and punch (“Runaway Train”) throughout Hard Knocks to make up for a little bit of filler here and there. The record is expertly produced by Matt Serletic and features some great dueling guitars from Ray Parker Jr. and Tim Pierce. So although it’s not perfect, Hard Knocks is an enjoyable and honest album from one of rock’s most loved performers who seems content to just keep on keeping on.
