Joe Cocker: Night Calls Album (1991)

Joe Cocker’s Night Calls album, was released in the UK on October 7, 1991, on Capitol Records (catalogue: CDP 7 95898 2 for CD, EST 2164 for vinyl). This 12-track LP, Cocker’s thirteenth studio effort, showcased his signature gravelly voice through a mix of soul, blues, and rock ballads, including “Five Women,” written by Prince. Produced by Jeff Lynne, Chris Lord-Alge, and others, the album marked a comeback for Cocker, blending his classic style with contemporary polish. Housed in a sleeve with moody artwork, it peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, cementing his enduring appeal.

Album Overview

Tracklist:

Side A (Vinyl) / Tracks 1–6 (CD/Cassette):

Love Is Alive (3:57) – Gary Wright cover.

Little Bit of Love (2:28)

Please No More (5:28)

There’s a Storm Coming (4:08)

You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away (3:30) – Beatles cover.

I Can Hear the River (4:51)

Side B / Tracks 7–12:

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (5:30) – Elton John cover.

Now That the Magic Has Gone (4:41)

Five Women (5:34) – Written by Prince.

Can’t Find My Way Home (3:29) – Blind Faith cover.

Not Too Young to Die of a Broken Heart (4:19)

Out of the Rain (4:38)

Release Details:

Label: Capitol Records (UK).

Formats: Vinyl LP, CD, cassette (detailed below).

℗ & ©: 1991 Capitol Records, Inc. Recorded at various studios, including A&M Studios, Los Angeles, and Air Studios, London, in 1990–1991. Matrix numbers (e.g., EST 2164 A-1-1-1 for vinyl) confirm authenticity.

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

The album was issued in the UK in three formats, each maintaining the same 12-track sequence:

Vinyl LP (Catalogue: EST 2164):

Side A:

Love Is Alive (3:57)

Little Bit of Love (2:28)

Please No More (5:28)

There’s a Storm Coming (4:08)

You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away (3:30)

I Can Hear the River (4:51)

Side B:

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (5:30)

Now That the Magic Has Gone (4:41)

Five Women (5:34)

Can’t Find My Way Home (3:29)

Not Too Young to Die of a Broken Heart (4:19)

Out of the Rain (4:38)

Packaging: 33⅓ RPM, stereo, in a single sleeve with a moody photo of Cocker and lyric inner sleeve. Some pressings included a promotional sticker.

Compact Disc (CD) (Catalogue: CDP 7 95898 2):

Single Disc:

Love Is Alive (3:57)

Little Bit of Love (2:28)

Please No More (5:28)

There’s a Storm Coming (4:08)

You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away (3:30)

I Can Hear the River (4:51)

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (5:30)

Now That the Magic Has Gone (4:41)

Five Women (5:34)

Can’t Find My Way Home (3:29)

Not Too Young to Die of a Broken Heart (4:19)

Out of the Rain (4:38)

Packaging: Jewel case with a booklet featuring lyrics, photos, and credits.

Cassette (Catalogue: TC-EST 2164):

Side A:

Love Is Alive (3:57)

Little Bit of Love (2:28)

Please No More (5:28)

There’s a Storm Coming (4:08)

You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away (3:30)

I Can Hear the River (4:51)

Side B:

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (5:30)

Now That the Magic Has Gone (4:41)

Five Women (5:34)

Can’t Find My Way Home (3:29)

Not Too Young to Die of a Broken Heart (4:19)

Out of the Rain (4:38)

Packaging: Standard cassette case with a fold-out J-card featuring lyrics and credits.

Production and Context

Produced by Jeff Lynne (ELO), Chris Lord-Alge, and others, Night Calls was recorded in 1990–1991 across studios in Los Angeles and London. The core band included Jim Keltner (drums), Benmont Tench (keyboards), and Greg Phillinganes (keyboards), with Cocker’s soulful voice shining on covers and originals. “Five Women,” written by Prince (credited as Paisley Park), featured a smooth, soulful groove, though Prince did not perform on the track. “Now That the Magic Has Gone,” written by John Miles, became a single in 1992, reflecting the album’s emotional themes. Released amid the early ‘90s adult contemporary boom, it followed Cocker’s Unchain My Heart (1987) and competed with acts like Simply Red, capitalizing on his Up Where We Belong resurgence.

Single from the Album: Now That the Magic Has Gone (1992)

From Night Calls, the single “Now That the Magic Has Gone” was released in the UK in 1992 as a double CD set (Part 1 and Part 2, catalogue: CDCL 657), peaking at No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart. Written by John Miles, the single highlighted Cocker’s emotive delivery and included “Five Women” on Part 2, showcasing Prince’s composition.

Part 1 (CD1):

Now That the Magic Has Gone (Radio Edit) (4:41)

(All I Know) Feels Like Forever (5:20)

You Can Leave Your Hat On (Extended Dressed Mix) (5:35)

Part 2 (CD2):

Now That the Magic Has Gone (Album Version) (4:41)

Five Women (5:34) – Written by Prince.

Two Wrongs (Don't Make A Right) (Live) (5:05)

Now That the Magic Has Gone (Instrumental) (4:41)

Chart Performance for the Single:

UK: No. 28 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 4 weeks.

Germany: No. 50.

Netherlands: No. 43.

Australia: No. 94.The single’s modest success underscored the album’s lasting appeal, with “Five Women” adding a Prince-penned soulful highlight.

Chart Performance

Night Calls was a commercial success:

UK: No. 2 (Official Albums Chart), charting for 22 weeks, certified Gold (100,000 copies sold).

US: No. 68 (Billboard 200), certified Gold (500,000 copies sold).

Australia: No. 23, certified Platinum.

Germany: No. 3, certified Platinum.

Netherlands: No. 4, certified Platinum.

Switzerland: No. 3, certified Gold.

Austria: No. 5.

Norway: No. 2.

Sweden: No. 13.

New Zealand: No. 18.Singles like “Night Calls” (UK No. 61) and “I Can Hear the River” (UK No. 57) supported its run, with “Now That the Magic Has Gone” following in 1992.

Legacy and Collectibility

Night Calls is celebrated for Cocker’s emotive delivery and Prince’s “Five Women,” a standout for its soulful depth. The album’s polished production influenced ‘90s soul-revival acts. Original UK vinyls fetch £20–£60 on Discogs, with first pressings (lyric sleeve) commanding premiums—verify matrix numbers. CDs (£5–£15) and cassettes (£5–£10) are common but collectible in mint condition. The double CD single for “Now That the Magic Has Gone” (£5–£15) is prized for including “Five Women.” Remastered versions (1992 CD reissues) and Spotify streams preserve its warm analog sound.

This album showcases Joe Cocker’s soulful resilience—a vital piece for collectors.

Do you have Night Calls in vinyl, CD, or cassette? Which track, especially Prince’s “Five Women,” gets your turntable spinning? Share in the comments!