This Joe Cocker oddity from the Raven label collects 17 tracks drawn from releases that span 1969 to 1978. What sets the appropriately titled Connoisseur's Cocker apart from other anthologies is its eclectic song choices, focusing on material from below-the-radar records like Stingray, Jamaica Say You Will, and Luxury You Can Afford. Fans looking for Cocker staples like "Unchain My Heart," "The Letter," and "With a Little Help from My Friends" will be disappointed and should look for a copy of 1999's superb Anthology, but listeners looking to delve deeper into the textured and primal world of Joe Cocker will find that standout interpretations such as "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress," "'I Shall Be Released," "A Whiter Shade of Pale," and "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" stand tall amidst the artist's more familiar works. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide