Customer Reviews

Cook, Dixon, & Young: Volume 1

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Those who have heard this talented trio don't need to be told how thoroughly enjoyable this CD is. But, for those who haven't had the pleasure as yet - here's a heads-up.

Countertenor Victor Trent Cook copped a Tony nomination for his role in Broadway's "Smokey Joe's Café." His resume also includes appearances at the White House, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center.

Rodrick Dixon has sung with the Chicago Lyric Opera as well as pleasing audiences with his performances in "Ragtime" and "Showboat."

The third member of the trio, Thomas Young, must keep his suitcase packed as he has performed in the opera and concert halls of over 20 countries. Plus, he has appeared in the national touring companies of "Pippin" and "The Wiz."

Whether listeners have a particular love for classical music, jazz, soul, or gospel, all will find much to enjoy when this topnotch threesome sings out.

Volume One, which is being released to coincide with their PBS "Great Performances" special, is a showcase for not only the trio's vocal ability but also for their versatility with selections ranging from opera to jazz to classics.

A veritable treasure of musical genres, Volume One includes several selections from Verdi's operas, a hot version of Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing," as well as the rollicking "Luck Be A Lady" from Frank Loesser's "Guys and Dolls."

Mr. Dixon offers a soaring solo on "Fly Me To The Moon," while Mr. Cook poignantly revisits "Mr. Bojangles." And, that's not all. Lean back, listen, and enjoy!

- Gail Cooke

A few years ago I was blown away when I saw the PBS special featuring Cook, Dixon, and Young as "Three Mo' Tenors." I didn't think they could improve after such a dynamic and mesmerizing performance. I was mistaken. The "Cook, Dixon and Young Volume 1" CD is over the top. You are pulled out of your seat, wherever you are, with each new rendition. Opera, soul, broadway, R&B, mainstream, jazz, Hip Hop, gospel, are the selected venues this time. These amazing tenors attack their operatic roles with such confidence and passion. Even if you think you don't like opera, you will surely change your mind after listening to these three. The call and response excerpts involve audience and you can actually hear the enthusiasm in their response. "Three Mo'Tenors" excited us with "Minnie the Moocher." "Volume 1" takes us even higher with a little Hip Hop thrown into the mix. You experience, with the audience, the delighted surprise with its inclusion. The tributes to Ray Charles, Aretha, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Gladys(of course)brought the house down. Then they added the BeeGees' "Stayin' Alive." You can hear the shocked disbelief in the audience's response. They loved each note of "Stayin Alive" because Cook, Dixon and Young's voices were perfectly blended for that selection. "Give Me a Clean Heart" and "I Need You to Survive" are songs my choir sings in church. The vocal interpretation and arrangements were exactly right to showcase each tenor's voice. I loved the rendition of "Home." It brought chills to my body. Because of the escalated and wild responses of the audience, I felt like I was right there in the midst of this concert. The applause, the voices, the excited comments, the noise of appreciation was so genuine and filled with emotions. This CD will send you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. It is the only CD I have in my car right now. I am waiting for the DVD and for a repeat performance on PBS. Cook, Dixon and Young Volume 1 has been added to my special DVD concert collection. I wish everyone could share in this never to be forgotten experience.

This album showcases the brilliant artistry of these three outstanding singers! There is a vibrant taste of every genre you want to hear and even a few things you weren't expecting but will end up loving! The arrangements are rich tapestries vocally and orchestrally - filled with humor at time(thanks Alvin Waddles) and many threads of color and depth. The group numbers are outstanding in core and delivery vocally. From Duke Ellington to Birdland to Clean Heart to Wayfaring Stranger to an amazing medley encompassing Ray Charles' Georgia through Stevie Wonder and Aretha to the Bee Gees (yes the Bee Gees!) we are taken on a journey of music and spirit that can only be served by the power of Cook Dixon & Young.
The solo songs and arias are exceptional and show these men at their best. Victor Trent Cook shows his light lyric tenor and vulnerability of character in a moving Mr Bojangles; his baroque stylistic ideas in the Handel aria Sento La Gioia gave space and dance and show his tremendous potential in this repertoire! And wait til you hear his "Aretha" - you'll be screaming for more!
Rodrick Dixon creates excitement and bravura in his aria from Il Trovatore giving this warrior definition and humanness. He creates a moving and exciting intimacy in Fly Me to the Moon. Cook and Dixon create a raw and exciting duet that will give you goosebumps in Bring Him Home/Home.
Thomas Young is at his best - but when is he not? His Celeste Aida is warrior-still in strength, power and passion, finding nuance texturally and vocally that puts him hands-down among the finest tenors EVER to sing this role. His love-song, When Did You Leave Heaven, claims truth and beauty and sizzles with a blues quality you feel in your bones. His Luck Be a Lady has depth of character and fascinating vocal and stylistic nuance - and yes! he bebops!
These men are themselves - Cook Dixon & Young - they share a spoken word on this album that will allow their fans a little more to touch and realize. It is exciting to hear the audience response to this on the album too!
These men have chemistry with their music and their art and each other! You can't replicate that and you can't teach that. They are unique; They are marvellous; They are COOK DIXON & YOUNG!

I am in awe of the singular and collective talent of these gentlemen; what a cultural treasure! This CD beautifully showcases their talent. My personal favorite is Victor Trent Cook's bittersweet rendition of "Mr. Bojangles." Another great number is "When the Saints Go Marching In," which could give an atheist a religious experience! For people who enjoy strong vocalists, any one of these guys would fit the bill; together, they're simply aweseome! America's answer to the 3 tenors, only better.

First of all I must compliment AMAZON.com for its fast delivery of their products. I am also impressed with Amazon's reputation for product sales and quality. The CD ordered and received was all that it claimed to be and more. I am enjoying the music immensely.

Thank you Amazon.com for being here.

Isn't it great to hear voices at the top of their games?
The range, the blend, the energy; all the very best for us to enjoy. These guys are fantastic!

These guys prove they are far more than a 'Mo!!

My favorite tracks are IT DON'T MEAN A THING and BIRDLAND. The spiritual medley is hauntingly beautiful and the soul medley takes you back.

Thomas is awesome as always in LUCK BE A LADY and WHEN DID YOU LEAVE HEAVEN. Rod simply takes the roof off with FLY ME TO THE MOON. I can hear a wider range in his voice on this album than on Three 'Mo Tenors - in some places I thought I was hearing Victor! Victor is way too talented as is demonstrated in MR. BOJANGLES and SENTO LA GIOIA. What an amazing range!

If you feel like you know these guys personally as so many of their fans seem to, you will be most moved and inspired by the SPOKEN WORD track.

The only thing I would recommend over the CD is the DVD, but since it is not out yet go ahead and get the CD so you'll be ready to sing along! The photos in the cover are very nice as well.

Unfortunately, my mother does not have the expertise on computers to understand the fix for the problem. I am going to have to buy her the DVD and specify to her to not purchase the CD. I can't believe that this is a known problem that you can get a settlement check for if you file it by the end of next month, yet these CDs are still being sold with this broken content!

This is a great perfomance by three guys with absolutely amazing voices. We love to share these DVD concerts with our guests at dinner parties. Every one has a lot of fun as demonstrated by our spontaneous applause, just as if we were watching a live event. These guys are mesmorizing. Check it out. This is good.

I rated this CD 2 stars due to defects caused by the copy-protection not because of the content. I gave this CD as a gift. The music was appreciated, but the recording contained defects. I need to get this CD exchanged. In spite of the defects, the CD is very good. I recommend a noncopy-protected version. Sony needs to know that it is the price of CDs that is encouraging piracy not the alternative recording media.