IN Hard Knocks

By Ara Jansen

Time hasn’t dulled Joe Cocker’s passion for life and his career. He returns to Perth next month with a new album in tow.

“Buckets of it” is how Joe Cocker describes the enthusiasm he still has for his career. After five amazing decades in music, the one-time Mad Dog from Sheffield still gets a thrill performing and recording.

Known for songs like Feelin’ Alright, You Can Leave Your Hat On, Up Where We Belong and With A Little Help From My Friends, the 66-year-old singer recently released his 22nd album, Hard Knocks.

On the album, Joe worked with in-demand producer Matt Serletic (who came to prominence through his work with Matchbox Twenty) as the pair set out to create a “classic Joe Cocker record” which would be played on radio around the world. The result is 10 songs – ballads and rockers – which show off Joe’s gravelly white soul voice against a modern backdrop, after a couple of Joe’s recent albums have featured more classic rhythm & blues.

Joe (who has an OBE) and his wife, Pam, live in the small remote mountain community of Crawford in Colorado. When he’s at home, he loves tending his tomatoes, reading, playing snooker and walking in the wilderness which borders the Mad Dog Ranch.

The couple have also created the Cocker Kids’ Foundation which has raised close to $700,000 for local kids in support of arts, sport and education. Among their activities, the Cockers have opened their home for tours and Joe performed a local concert.

The singer’s mobile doesn’t work in Crawford either and this isolated world is a perfect foil for the business and chaos of touring and making a new album. With the release of Hard Knocks the singer says he will be on the road for much of the year, especially when the summer festivals start in Europe and the US. He says he’ll be definitely making as many trips to his mountain home in between.

“There are times when I am away from home for three months. Someone told me to ‘get over it’ but I have travelled the world and been to most places a dozen times and these days, three months is just a little long. Two months is okay but three is just a little long. I think you become a little dehumanised at that point, no matter how nice the hotel rooms are.”

Joe Cocker is joined by special guests George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Diesel and The Dingoes on February 19 for a concert in Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth.
Tickets from Ticketmaster.

Thanks to Sony Music Australia we have five copies of Joe Cocker’s Hard Knocks to give away…
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