Download Instrumental     There are some songs that are just a joy for an old piano player like me.  This is one of those tunes.  For one thing, there are only two chords, so you don’t have to think too much.  And if the piano sets the groove, all you have to do is have fun with it.  “Feelin’ Alright” can be played without any concentration whatsoever – until the solo comes around.  Then, you better pay attention and look like you know what you’re doing.  And stand up – you can’t do this one sitting down.

Dave Mason, guitarist for the English rock group Traffic, wrote this gem in 1968.  A word to the wise – don’t do Mason’s rendition, even though it’s the original.  It’s boring, slow, and uninspiring.  Mr. Joe Cocker came along a year later and did it right.  Cocker made a career out of singing other artists’ songs.  “You Are So Beautiful” and “With a Little Help From My Friends” come to mind.  When he had a hit with another Beatles tune “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window”, I pretty much wrote him off.  He was erratic and confusing onstage and I just didn’t like his whole persona.  But Joe nailed this one, and I had huge fun with his version through the 80’s and 90’s.

Joe Cocker died in 2014 and I still mourn his loss – mostly because of this song that I so enjoyed performing.  Whenever we do this one, I give Joe his appropriate accolades.  It’s the least I can do for an old rocker who was one crazy SOB onstage.