Album presentation by Algernon.
This week’s presentation is a request and one that has been an enjoyable dive into the album and the backing musicians involved. This is the first in a two part series which looks at the album and the songs behind the name.
Joe Cockers Mad Dogs and Englishmen was the product of live concerts in Filmore East, New York City on 27-28 March 1970 with the album released in August that year. The name comes from the 1931 recording by Noel Coward of the same name along with Leon Russell’s Ballad of Mad dogs and Englishmen. Only four of the songs on this album came from Cockers first two studio albums; Delta Lady, Girl from the North Country, She came in through the bathroom window and Bird on a wire.
The album borrows heavily from The Rolling Stones, Traffic, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Ray Charles, Otis Redding & Sam and Dave. Leon Russell also wrote three of the songs as well as producing the album along with Denny Cordell.
The album featured Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge, Donna Washburn, Claudia Lennear, Denny Cordell, Daniel More, Pamela Pollard, Matthew Moore, Nicole Barclay & Bobby Jones on vocals. Leon Russell on lead guitar, piano, vocals and backing vocals. Don Preston on guitar, vocals and backing voacls, Chris Stainton on organ and Piano. Cark Radle on bass guitar, Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner, Chuck Blackwell on drums. Chuck Blackwell, Sandy Konikoff, Bobby Torres on percussion, Jim Horn, Bobby Keys on Saxophone and Jim Price on Trumpet.
The next part will explore some of the work from some of these musicians.
The album charted at number one in Australia.
Mad dogs and Englishmen – Noel Coward
Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen – Leon Russell
Mad dogs and Englishmen – Joe Cocker (Album)
Window Dresser's Arms, Pig & Whistle 
I’d have to look but I think I’ve included some Joe Cocker tunes, not a lot though. Actually I did it came up on the related lists to this here for me. I did a list of Joe Cocker songs when he died in 2014 and included The Letter in the 1971 the albums. Certainly not an album presentation before. The list of musicians on this album are quite amazing.
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Oops this was a reply to viv
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My photographic memory is not as good as it used to be. I just can’t recall him featuring but of course one or two may have been there. You’ve done a lot of lists Algy. All good stuff.
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Well worth asking the question. He doesn’t regularly appear, and had to check for myself.
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Think this is the first Joe Cocker song or album you’ve given us Algy. I just love it. Loved Cocker’s stuff. And yes, great musicians.
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Great stuff, Algy. Many thanks. Much to say about 1971 music and film. Start of a fantastic decade.
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Yes indeed, the quality of the albums released that year is something else. Then again we’re both fans of music of this decade.
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