No Ordinary World

Joe Cocker

1999

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About

Joe Cocker's seventeenth studio album, "No Ordinary World," was released on October 8, 1999, in Europe and August 22, 2000, in the USA. The US edition features two bonus tracks and different cover artwork. The album includes covers of Leonard Cohen's "First We Take Manhattan" and Steve Winwood's "While You See a Chance", as well as "She Believes in Me," co-written by Bryan Adams, who also provided backing vocals. Despite not achieving significant commercial success, the album blends pop and R&B with rock influences and features strong musicianship.

Recording Info

"No Ordinary World" was recorded between 1998 and 1999 at Metropolis Studio, Battery Studios, Area21, Brittania Row Studios, Olympic Studio 1, and Nomis Studios in London, UK; Studio Twin in Paris, France; and Record Plant in Los Angeles, California, USA. Steve Power, Pete Smith, Peter-John Vettese and Jean-Jacques Goldman produced the album.

Track Highlights

First We Take Manhattan (Leonard Cohen) — Cover of Leonard Cohen classic
While You See a Chance (Steve Winwood) — Cover of Steve Winwood song
She Believes in Me — Co-written by Bryan Adams, who also provides backing vocals
Where Would I Be Now — Written by Michael McDonald and Tony Joe White

Personnel

Joe Cocker (Vocals, Executive Producer)
Steve Power (Producer, Mixing)
Peter-John Vettese (Producer, Keyboards, Programming)
Pete Smith (Producer)
Jean-Jacques Goldman (Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals)
Spike Edney (Synthesizers)
Chris Elliot (Acoustic Piano, Rhodes Electric Piano, Clavinet, Wurlitzer Electric Piano)
John Savannah (Hammond Organ, Electric Piano, Acoustic Piano)
Jason Rebello (Acoustic Piano, Clavinet, Electric Piano)
Peter Gordeno (Keyboards)
Mark Evans (Additional Programming)
Bryan Adams (Backing Vocals)

Significance

While "No Ordinary World" didn't achieve the commercial success of some of Joe Cocker's earlier work, it showcases his signature raspy vocals and interpretation skills. The album received modest reviews, with some critics noting its strong covers and musicianship but finding it somewhat lacking in overall impact. Despite this, it remains a worthwhile listen for fans of Cocker's blend of rock, pop, and blues.

The US edition of "No Ordinary World" has a different cover artwork and includes two bonus tracks compared to the European release.