Fire It Up

Joe Cocker

2012

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About

Fire It Up is the twenty-second and final studio album by Joe Cocker, released on November 6, 2012, by Sony/Columbia in Europe and Universal Music Enterprises in the United States. The album consists of eleven original tracks and marks a shift towards contemporary rock and soul influences, featuring vocalists Joss Stone and Marc Broussard, along with songwriting contributions from Graham Lyle and Keith Urban. Matt Serletic, known for his work with Matchbox Twenty and Santana, produced the album, which was recorded at Emblem Studios in Calabasas, California, during the winter of 2011 and spring of 2012. The album blends soulful ballads and upbeat rockers, showcasing Cocker's signature raspy vocals against polished production. The title track served as the lead single, promoting the album's energetic, blues-infused sound. A premium edition of the album was also released, featuring a bonus DVD with live performance footage from Cocker's 2012 tour.

Recording Info

Recorded during the winter of 2011 and spring of 2012 at Emblem Studios in Calabasas, California. Matt Serletic produced the album. James Brown and Ryan Hewitt handled the recording, with additional engineering by Doug Trantow and assistant engineering by Alex Arias. Mixing was conducted by Serletic at The Blue Room in Los Angeles, and mastering was performed by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York.

Track Highlights

Fire It Up (Johnny Reid) — The title track and lead single, originally written and performed by Johnny Reid
I'll Be Your Doctor — Co-written by Jeff Trott, Victoria Horn, and Steve McMorran
You Don't Need a Million Dollars — Emphasizes themes of love and simplicity
I Come in Peace — Promotional single released in 2013

Personnel

Joe Cocker (Vocals, Executive Producer)
Matt Serletic (Producer, Keyboards, Programming, Horn Arrangements)
Jamie Muhoberac (Keyboards)
Ray Parker Jr. (Guitars)
Joel Shearer (Guitars)
Tim Pierce (Guitars)
Dorian Crozier (Drums, Percussion)
Chris Chaney (Bass)
Chris Rodriguez (Backing Vocals)
Arnold McCuller (Backing Vocals)
Teresa Mann (Backing Vocals)

Significance

Fire It Up is Joe Cocker's final studio album and is seen as a testament to his late-career vitality and adaptability. Upon release, the album achieved commercial success in Europe, peaking at number 5 on the German Albums Chart and entering the top 10 in Switzerland and Austria. It reached number 17 on the UK Albums Chart. Critical reception was mixed, with some praising Cocker's enduring voice but critiquing the album's overly smooth, radio-friendly polish, which sometimes overshadowed his raw emotional delivery. Some critics felt that the album moved Cocker away from his usual rock and blues sound, leaning more towards gospel and country influences.

Joe Cocker's improved health, following a decade of sobriety and cessation of smoking around 2003, enabled him to pursue the album with renewed focus.