The first time I heard Joe was on the radio in my girlfriends 67 Mustang singing Cry me a River. There was something about that deep, throaty sound that grabbed me right away. This guy has a GIFT! I thought. Later, I borrowed the album Mad Dogs and Englishmen ( a great title) from my friend, Don Giesen (who also recently passed away) and I sat in my little room and listened to it over and over. Leon Russel as a musical director was something to behold. Then, I saw the movie and was a little uncomfortable watching him because of his movements, which seemed stiff and spastic -- like any moment, he was going to cease being able to hit another note -- ever again. Yet, he just kept belting them out. Don Van Vliet once told me that he bought Joe a pair of shoes a few years earlier ( Im going to guess 1969) when he was unknown and broke and couldnt afford a pair of shoes. He never called to thank me he said. In July 1975, we had just returned from playing Knebworth Festival in England and were booked at the Roxi the following week. After Sound Check, Don, Greg ( Ella Guru) Davidson, and I went a place next door to eat. I think it was called The Rainbow. Don, as usual, had one of his blank black drawing books and his felt pens and was drawing away madly before the food came. Suddenly, in walked Joe Cocker, accompanied by two black female backup singers and a suit, whom I assumed was his manager. They sat at the booth next to us. Joe ordered a beer and was obviously way past tipsy. He grabbed the beer garbled something loudly, drew a deep one, and slammed it down on the table so hard it splashed completely over the booth into ours, raining down on Dons hat and drawing book. He looked at me a little like Oliver used to look at Stan. Wanna move? I asked. Yeah, I think so. We got up, and as we walked by Cockers booth, Don took a quick look and shook his head. Man, he needs to learn how to control that shit...its disgusting. A few years later, I saw Cocker was performing again and had cleaned up his act. He sang many beautiful pieces, but my favorite is Darlin Be Home Soon. Its not the arrangement of the song, or even the song itself that I like, but the way Cocker sings on that cut is just amazing. His voice breaks in just the right way and his phrasing is marvelous. RIP Joe. Im glad you gave what you gave. It made the world a little better for sure.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 00:49:48 +0000
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