Joe Cocker (October 7, 1991) – Night Calls Album LP-TC-CD: UK
Night Calls was the thirteenth full-length studio album by Joe Cocker. The album was released in the United Kingdom on October 7, 1991, with a substantially revised United States version following on July 14, 1992.
The album is notable in Prince-related discography for including Five Women, a song written by Prince. The track was newly recorded by Joe Cocker's band for the album and did not contain any musical contributions by Prince.
Prince later released his own version of the song as 5 Women on The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale.
The album was recorded at A&M Studios in Los Angeles, California.
Five Women was re-recorded by Joe Cocker's band specifically for the project. Although Joe Cocker wanted Prince to contribute guitar to the recording, Prince declined, reportedly telling him, "It's your baby now."
Prince also offered the 1991 version of Old Friends 4 Sale for possible inclusion on the album, but Joe Cocker chose not to use it.
The UK edition had a running time of 52:53 on CD and 43:56 on LP and cassette.
STYLE & THEMES
Night Calls combines rock, soul and blues influences that had become central to Joe Cocker's sound by the early 1990s.
The UK release balanced original material with reinterpretations of established songs while showcasing Cocker's distinctive vocal style. The inclusion of Five Women added a Prince composition to the album's repertoire, bringing a darker and more dramatic lyrical element to the collection.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Love Is Alive — Opening track on the UK edition.
• Little Bit Of Love — Included on the original UK configuration.
• Please No More — Ballad featured on both UK and US editions.
• There's A Storm Coming — Album track retained on UK releases.
• You've Got To Hide Your Love Away — Cover version included on the UK album.
• I Can Hear The River — One of the album's best-known tracks.
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me — Interpretation of the Elton John composition.
• Night Calls — Title track and key promotional single.
• Five Women — Prince composition re-recorded by Joe Cocker's band with no musical involvement from Prince.
• Can't Find My Way Home — Included on both UK and US editions.
• Not Too Young To Die Of A Broken Heart — Included on the original UK release.
• Out Of The Rain — Closing track on the UK album.
RELEASE HISTORY
The album was first released in the United Kingdom on October 7, 1991 through Capitol Records.
A revised United States edition followed on July 14, 1992 featuring an alternate cover and altered track sequence.
A European CD reissue issued in 1992 expanded the album to fifteen tracks and increased the running time to 68:35.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
AMERICA
Country | Chart | Peak |
USA | Billboard Top Pop Albums |
EUROPE
CERTIFICATIONS
Country | Certification |
UK | Silver |
France | 2× Gold |
Germany | Platinum |
PERSONNEL
Joe Cocker — vocals
Steve Holley — drums
Phil Grande — guitar
T.M. Stevens — bass guitar
Greg Phillinganes — keyboards
Girls Talk (Michelle Cross, Debra Lewis-Brown and Geraldine Clarke) — background vocals
PRODUCTION
Produced by David Tickle
Recorded by David Tickle
Engineered by David Tickle
Mastered by
Photography by Herb Ritts
Artwork by Tim Smith (Crimson Productions, London)
Design by Tim Smith (Crimson Productions, London)
NOTES
• Focused on the original UK release issued October 7, 1991.
• Includes Five Women, written by Prince.
• Prince did not perform on the recording.
• Prince later released his own version as 5 Women on The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale.
• Joe Cocker asked Prince to contribute guitar but Prince declined.
• A revised US edition was released in July 1992 with an alternate cover and tracklist.
• The album generated multiple singles across different territories.
• Five Women was later released as a European single in 1992.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
Joe Cocker | Night Calls | Capitol Records | UK | CDP 79 8886 2 | October 7, 1991 | CD |
Joe Cocker | Night Calls | Capitol Records | UK | — | October 7, 1991 | LP |
Joe Cocker | Night Calls | Capitol Records | UK | — | October 7, 1991 | Cassette |
Joe Cocker | Night Calls | Capitol Records | USA | 97801 | July 14, 1992 | CD |
Joe Cocker | Night Calls (European Reissue) | Capitol Records | Europe | — | 1992 | CD |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
CD | CDP 79 8886 2 | Love Is Alive • Little Bit Of Love • Please No More • There's A Storm Coming • You've Got To Hide Your Love Away • I Can Hear The River • Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me • Night Calls • Five Women • Can't Find My Way Home • Not Too Young To Die Of A Broken Heart • Out Of The Rain |
LP | — | Side One: Love Is Alive • Little Bit Of Love • Please No More • There's A Storm Coming • You've Got To Hide Your Love Away Side Two: I Can Hear The River • Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me • Night Calls • Five Women • Can't Find My Way Home |
CD (US) | 97801 | Feels Like Forever • I Can Hear The River • Now That The Magic Has Gone • Can't Find My Way Home • Night Calls • Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me • Love Is Alive • Five Women • Please No More • Out Of The Rain • You've Got To Hide Your Love Away • When A Woman Cries |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia. BBC Official Charts Prince Vault, Sleeveagraphia2
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