With a Little Help From My Friends

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

With a Little Help From My Friends · This debut album was released in April 1969, with producer Denny Cordell behind the desk. Cordell brought together a remarkable cast: American soul singers such as Merry Clayton and Madeline Bell alongside well-known British rock musicians, among them Jimmy Page, Steve Winwood and Albert Lee. Joe Cocker sings mostly other people's songs, from Bob Dylan to Traffic and The Beatles, and makes them entirely his own. His raw, soulful voice, influenced by Ray Charles, takes centre stage. A light little song like Bye Bye Blackbird becomes a lament full of longing, and the title song, originally by the Beatles, grows into something quite different from the original.

The press was positive. Rolling Stone called it a triumph, and Robert Christgau described it as the greatest achievement in rock interpretation to date. AllMusic later praised above all the surprising arrangements. The album went gold in the United States.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Feelin' Alright4:11Apple Music ↗
2. 2Bye Bye Blackbird3:28Apple Music ↗
3. 3Change in Louise3:23Apple Music ↗
4. 4Marjorine (Single Version)2:38Apple Music ↗
5. 5Just Like a Woman5:18Apple Music ↗
6. 6Do I Still Figure in Your Life?3:00Apple Music ↗
7. 7Sandpaper Cadillac3:17Apple Music ↗
8. 8Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood4:41Apple Music ↗
9. 9With a Little Help from My Friends5:12Apple Music ↗
10. 10I Shall Be Released4:36Apple Music ↗
11. 11The New Age of Lily (Single Version)2:15Apple Music ↗
12. 12Something's Coming On (Single Version)2:15Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗