I picked this one up at a friends of the library sale in Savannah, Georgia back when I was a starving art school lad. For those of you who think of Joe Cocker as that smelly looking guy who dances funny, you won’t be disappointed. For those of you who recognize Joe Cocker as one of the finest soul voices of the last fifty years, you won’t be disappointed, either.
This 1970 double album captures its all-star cast live over two nights at New York’s Fillmore East in March 1970. The lineup is a who’s who of session players from the era: drummer Jim Keltner, Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, Bobby Keys. And since Cocker is the master interpreter, The Beatles, The Stones, Dylan, and Otis Redding are in the room in spirit.
The music is great, and so is the packaging. The artwork is classic sixties pop art meets hippie with a little circus sideshow thrown in for good measure. You can pick this one up for circus peanuts — five bucks will get you a copy. If you can find one with the original poster still enclosed expect to throw down around 20 dollars. Happy hunting.
BRILLIANT JOE COCKER with a little help from his friends. Is that Leon Russell on guitar? Mad Dogs and Melomaniacs, perhaps? The man is still rocking the crowds. Awesome clip. Thanks for the flashback!
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