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)