Live
Joe Cocker @ o2, 16.12.07
It was my delight to cover Mighty Joe Cocker at the o2.
After a long tour and a brief stop at Buckingham Palace to pick up an MBE (long overdue) Joe Cocker ended his Hymn for My Soul tour with the audience satisfied with their early Christmas present.
This fabulous venue had almost a nineteen twenties prohibition feel of big band grandeur, the only thing missing was the smoke (thank goodness!). The stage although sparse, featured subtle blends of both memorable and colourful footage. Mix that atmosphere with one of the greatest voices in Blues and Soul music and you have raw hardcore entertainment.
With roarcus Cocker apologising for not hitting a top note at the end of Cry Me A River, his loyal audience forgave in the same breath as they knew he had put every ounce of himself into every note he sang. The die hard Joe Cocker fans were on hand to lend their approval as the Great Man contorted his body to squeeze every drop of soul out via his voice.
If I were looking for fault with the evening… I was hoping for more interaction between Sir Joe and his loyal subjects. With Joe’s meat and two veg style of giving you what you want song after song, he can be forgiven for his non interaction. But the other low-light was the distortion of Up Where We Belong, the song made famous by the steely Sheffield Don. This lay not at the feet of the ever pitch perfect maestro, but with the backing singer Michelle Tillman, having heard this song many times, used to the delicate Jennifer Warnes Yang to Cockers Ying, unfortunately Tillman was more like din.
High-lights (which there were many) included Summer In The City. The stage bathed in red, with Cocker glowing in a pure white light. Like a Blues Beckon illiumating and enlightening the audience, in turn letting the music wash over you. Followed by Come together in which Cocker showed his soulful exuberance, letting the music do the talking and delivering Lennon and McCartney with aplomb. For me this was only topped by With a Little Help From My Friends. With images of Cocker playing Wood Stock and flower power footage a dawning the background, it really brought back the Wonder Years to this near perfect night. Talking of perfect Knights, thanks Sir Joe.
Words LEE TYLER
