Monday, December 22, 2014

RIP Joe Cocker (No Longer Available)

Over the last 2 weeks, I have been listening over and over again to the Black Crowes singing Joe Cocker's "Space Captain" from their 2006 Freak 'n' Roll...Into the Fog: The Black Crowes All Join Hands, The Fillmore, San Francisco.  I kid you not.  As things connect dot after dot, I in turn started watching them on YouTube, and then thought, "why aren't I listening to the original, Joe Cocker version from 1970's Mad Dogs & Englishmen?  And so, I ordered that CD last week, and it still isn't here from Germany or was is PA that I eventually got it?  Anyway, still waiting for this classic when the BBC news of Joe Cocker's death arrived today.  

 My heart aches at the passing of all these great, rock 'n' roll singers, players, geniuses.  Joe had the penultimate gravel-filled, whiskey-soaked voice.  I think only Van Morrison, and yes, Chris Robinson, (at times Chris Cornell in heartfelt bluesy mode) hold my soul in their hands when they sing.  The movements of their bodies possessed by what their voices are trying to express and feel.

I am failing miserably, trying to capture with words the emotions their gifts have given me--their willingness to go so deeply with their vocal ability.

 RIP in peace, Joe.  You are irreplaceable.
Trying to catch his frenetic energy here.  I don't think it's possible.  
Joe Cocker's "Space Captain"
Black Crowes' "Space Captain"..(OMG--esp. at 2:22 and 3:33!  I could cry!)

Space Captain

Joe Cocker

Once I was traveling across the sky
This lovely planet caught my eye
And being curious I flew close by
And non I'm caught here
Until I die
Until we die
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Till we die
I lost my memory of where I've been
We all forgot that we could fly
Someday we'll all change into peaceful man
And we'll return into the sky
Until we die
Until we die
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Till we die
Live together, yeah,
Learning to live together
Till we die
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Till we die
Hum...Oh...
Ah... hum...
Until we die
Until we die
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
Learning to live together
To live together...
To live together...
To live together
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

2 comments:

  1. SheilaDecember 23, 2014 at 11:47 PM

    I have not heard either of these before. Love a lot by both of them. The words are awesome. I love how you captured him! Massive energy! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. jujuDecember 24, 2014 at 10:27 AM

    Thank you, Sheila. It makes me happy to be able to expose their work (and this song) to people. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and listen. Thank you also for your compliment on the painting. I vascillated between doing a realistic portrait and this, but I felt it was that deeply-felt energy that he brought forth from his being that was most important.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)