Joe Cocker's latest release Hymn For My Soul is not full of religious tracks as the title suggests. Still, with his gravelly "Glory! Hallelujah!" voice, he transforms the tracks from a diverse collection of writers into gospel.

Hymn is now on store shelves thanks to Fantasy. From the first cut, Stevie Wonder's "You Haven't Done Nothin'," Cocker channels the dirty, bluesy gods with whom he communes. The subtle wah guitar and organ touches pay homage to Wonder, yet the song remains straight-up blues.

Bob Dylan's "Ring Them Bells" overflows with pathos and honor. Another track, Fantasy labelmate John Fogerty's "Long As I Can See The Light," is an intimate request for guidance. There are also classic songs from the world of soul such as "Love Is For Me" and "Don't Give Up On Me."

There's also a bonus track, The Beatles' "Come Together," which was produced by music legend T-Bone Burnett. Cocker has a good history of re-inventing Beatles tracks while still staying true to the original. His take on "Come Together" follows flawlessly in that tradition, with dark tones accenting his emotional commands to come together.

In Cocker's capable vocal chords, all the tracks on Hymn, while not specifically religious, are full of praise, hope and humility. Each one sung from a devoted man, each one a prayer.

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