Customer Reviews

Miss Blues Child

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There are many new young blues musicians emerging on the blues scene, Eli Cook is not just one of them, in my opinion he is also one of the more interesting and, if you like, maybe one of the most original and innovative. His voice and style are pretty different from all the others that I know. Definitely very much rooted in the tradition, however at the same time extending the sound to the future. This is an acoustic album with not much more than his voice and his guitar, except for the help of Patrick McCrowell playing banjo in a couple of tracks. I don't know if the label "dark blues" has already been used or if it can be used, in any way this is how I would define, with a bit of stretch, the sound of this CD. This CD is not easy to listening to, definitely I believe something that you wouldn't play during a party or a barbeque, or driving along a motorway. I found this CD more appropriate for a more intimate listening maybe in the evening, by your self with the only company of a nice glass of bourbon. As I was trying to say Eli's style is very personal and he sounds, at least in this album, like no one else that I know. I think that in this case there are no grey areas: you may love it or hate it. I love it!

You won't believe the voice and guitar playing that comes out of this kid! His picture inside the album cover looks like some teen surfer dude, but pop the disc in the player and you will hear the spirit of Son House and Bukka White. I have not been that impressed by some of the other recent Blues child proteges. They often have impressive instrumental skills but lack the soul of a performer who has been through some hard changes in life. It's not a criticism, just that it helps to have lived long enough to have simmered in the blues to play them authentically. Or so I thought. Don't know how this kid from South Carolina does it, but there is deep, dark pain coming through in his singing and playing. If you love acoustic blues guitar music, get this album. It's the best I have heard in that genre since Kelly Jo Phelps' "Roll Away the Stone."

Tracks contain a rich baritone voice, some soulful fret work, and emotional lyrics; a most worthy purchase. Highlights for me are Trick Bag and Fixin' to Die.