The comeback that Joe Cocker had achieved with 1974's I Can Stand A Little Rain and its hit single, "You Are So Beautiful" was not sustained by the follow-up, Jamaica Say You Will. The reason was simple: It was that bane of the interpretive singer, a lack of strong material. Jim Price, who arranged and produced, put together a band of studio pros and placed Cocker's craggy voice front and center, often supported by gospel-like female vocals. But the songs Cocker sang were not memorable. When there were exceptions, they tended not to be handled well. Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going To Rain Today," potentially a perfect vehicle for a torn and tender reading in the manner of "You Are So Beautiful," was sped up and overarranged. It was the title track that seemed intended as the "Beautiful" follow-up, however, and though the Jackson Browne song was a strong piece of material, it worked originally because of its restraint, not in the overwrought way Cocker treated it. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
Ben Benay (Harmonica), Jim Price (Keyboards), Dan Sawyer (Guitar), Matthew Moore (Vocals), Tim Kramer (Engineer), Zak Zenor (Mixing), Chuck Beeson (Design), Jim Horn (Saxophone), Daniel Moore (Guitar), Henry McCullough (Guitar), Trevor Lawrence (Sax (Tenor)), Cynthia Barclay (Vocals), Bobby Keys (Sax (Tenor)), Richard Tee (Arranger), Chris Stewart (Bass), Jim Horn (Sax (Alto)), Chuck Rainey (Bass), Ed Lever (Engineer), Richard Tee (Keyboards), Steve Madaio (Trumpet), Ben Benay (Guitar), Joe Tuzen (Mixing), Zak Zenor (Engineer), Sherlie Matthews (Vocals), Trevor Lawrence (Saxophone), Rob Fraboni (Engineer), Carol Stallings (Vocals), Joe Cocker (Vocals), Cornell Dupree (Guitar), Carlton Lee (Engineer), Rob Fraboni (Mixing), Jean Roussel (Organ), Daniel Moore (Foot Percussion), Nat Jeffrey (Engineer), Richard Tee (Piano), Marco Aglietti (Engineer), Richard Tee (Organ), Peggy Sandvig (Orchestration), Nicky Hopkins (Piano), Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (Drums), Terry Becker (Engineer), Jim Horn (Soloist), Buzz Clifford (Vocals), Allen Zentz (Mastering), Clydie King (Bass), Clydie King (Vocals), Don Poncher (Percussion), Chrissy Stewart (Bass), Jim Karstein (Drums), Joanne Bell (Vocals), Dave McDaniel (Bass), Venetta Fields (Vocals), Joe Tuzen (Engineer), Joe Correro (Drums), Ken Klinger (Engineer), Gail Mezey (Sleeve Photo), Jim Price (Vocals), Daniel Moore (Vocals), Jim Price (Horn), David McDaniels (Bass), Daniel Moore (Choir Arrangement), Roland Young (Art Direction), Sid Sharp (Strings)
Jamaica Say You Will is a 1975 album by Joe Cocker. It includes participation by Randy Newman; rhythm section on most of the songs is played by the Kingpins, formerly known for being saxophonist King Curtis' backing band, including Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on drums. "(That's What I Like) In My Woman" is a fast-driven song with horns, "Where Am I Now" and "I Think It's Going To Rain Today" are sort of twin songs, as they're not separated. "Oh Mama" is pure vocal blues, accompanied by a saxophone. The over-all influence is clearly black music, soul and blues in particular. The album winds up acoustically, with a simply arranged, folk-flavoured tune, "Jack-A-Diamonds".
Track listing
"(That's What I Like) In My Woman" (Matthew Moore) - 3:24
