Eli Cook Has Arrived with "Ace, Jack & King"

Eli Cook's music is imbued with the influences of the great blues pioneers, such as Mississippi Fred McDowell, Son House, and Lightnin ' Hopkins. But don’t expectf this guy from Virginia to play low-key acoustic purist retrostuff. On the contrary, some tracks will blow you over played at full throttle: "Snake Charm" goes far beyond blues rock,  borders on metalblues, and Eli, with his power trio behind him. sounds rather like Rage Against The Machine.

  

Seven years ago, as early as the age of 18,  Eli had already released his first cd  "Moonshine Mojo" which consisted of a mix of covers of blues classics and his own work .  Ace, Jack, & King, his fifth release, mirrors the same composition with two covers of Skip James and even a cover of Nick Drake's "Black Eyed Dog." The cd opens and ends with two different versions of Cook’s own  "Death Rattle".  The first version, a rugged, barren rendition,  would be taken for a field holler recorded by Alan Lomax during his trips to American cotton plantations were it not for the ripping harmonica in the background and the reverberant drums. The second version of the same song, at the end of the cd, resembles something  you would  expect on a live recording of Led Zeppellin in the early 1970s.

Eli’s voice is not what you expect  from a 25-year-old.  It is full of grit, warm and powerful, and nowhere sounds forced. One of my favorite tracks, "Driftin", is a cover of West Coast blues pianist Charles Brown’s best known song.  Eli's arrangement is wonderful and a far cry from the original version, with sharp slide passages and lingering percussion. The song with the most traditional approach is the Western swing "Cocaine",  primarily known from Jackson Browne's recording.   Here, it sounds as though it is an old 78 made many years ago.

There’s no tedium listening to this cd.  Following  “Cocaine Blues” is the traditional “Crow Jane”, the second Skip James cover, in a  very contemporary arrangement and production.  With plenty of fuzz and distortion, it’s 100% Blues 2011.  Finally,  Nick Drake’s "Black Dog" deserves admiration. The fragility of the original stays beautiful preserved, while Eli’s  powerful guitar playing draws the blues content  of the song forth.

In short, Eli Cook has arrived with "Ace, Jack & King".  He has fulfilled the promise shown in his previous releases, and claimed his place amongst those who give us the reassuring certainty that the future of blues is safe. 

(RON)

(RON)

http://www.rootstime.be/

www.rootstime.be

Singled Out: Eli Cook's 'Deathrattle'

Today Blues rock guitarist Eli Cook tells us about "Deathrattle" from his brand new album "Ace, Jack and King". Here is the story:

 

"Deathrattle", the first song on my new album, Ace, Jack and King, is one of the most interesting tracks. The lyrics and music are all original, but, if I were to sing the song with just hand claps backing me and add a chorus of male singers with a single mic, it would become indistinguishable from all the great old field hollers and work songs recorded in the early 20th century. The earthy, vital feel of that music is what I try to capture in my own.

At the end of the album, my electric rock version of the same tune is exemplary of a style I have been developing over the years--taking very old sounding blues-based lyrics and melodies and arranging them in contemporary and usually heavy ways...without compromising the authentic feel and soul of the original music that is the inspiration for my own song.

http://www.antimusic.com/news/11/june/16Singled_Out-_Eli_Cooks_Deathrattle.shtml

5 Star Review for "Ace, Jack, & King"

Eli Cook Ace, Jack & King

Blues lovers, get ready to have your socks knocked off. Blues rock guitarist Eli Cook has surpassed even the highest expectations on his latest album Ace, Jack and King. With all the cards on the table, Cook takes on acoustic bits, blues rock, and everything in between. The album is evenly split between originals and covers, indistinguishable to listeners who are not familiar with blues greats Skip James, Charles Brown and Rev. Gary Davis.

Ace, Jack and King starts out with one of Cook’s originals, “Deathrattle.” Grungy, gritty, and rhythm-driven, the heavily blues-rock piece is a weighty start to the album, making an impressive statement. Harmonica interludes breathe life and levity into the otherwise overly intense song. “Better Man,” another original track that might be most aptly described as soul boogie, boasts a wide selection of instrumentalists, including slide guitars and even clapping hands. “Please Please,” a slow, romantic piece, evokes images of a country summer, sultry and simple. Drawing attention to and truly showcasing Cook’s impressive baritone, the song is overwhelming in its sparseness. “Snake Charm” is the odd man out in this collection of masterpieces. Musically successful in its own way, the only connection it really demonstrates to this particular environment is the occasional harmonica appearance.

The star of the show is without a doubt Cook’s take on Nick Drake’s “Black-eyed Dog.” A melancholic song about depression and its hold on Drake, it was written soon before the English singer-songwriter’s suicide around three decades ago. A fresh, creative and mesmerizing take on the song, it seems to pay homage to Nick Drake and his musical and almost spiritual legacy. Cook uses his voice to the utmost effect, and supports the vocals with dexterous and virtuosic finger work on the guitar, his sole accompaniment.

Almost every track on this album could be the subject of its own rave review, which goes to show that the praise belongs to Cook and his raw talent. True tribute to blues greats and to the music itself, Ace, Jack and King is Cook’s best offering yet and seeing him go all in is a joy to the listener.

Key Tracks: Please Please, Catfish Blues, Black Eyed Dog

Nivedita Gunturi – Muzikreviews.com Contributor

June 30, 2011

©MuzikReviews.com

For Questions Or Comments About This Review Send An Email To info@muzikreviews.com

http://www.muzikreviews.com/reviews.php?ID=1684