Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favorite instrumental album ever!, August 24, 1998
By A Customer
This album is my very favorite instrumental album ever! Inspiring, moving, emotional- there aren't enough adjectives to describe the depth of Jesse Cook's music. The music is a blend of percussion and flamenco guitar, with a Gypsy-African-World sound that is totally different from the common stuff out there. And can the man play guitar! He is truly gifted. I personally play this CD constantly, and when people come visit, they never fail to ask me for the name so they can get it for themselves. Everybody likes it! Now one of the things I especially enjoy about it- it is excellent backround music for activities. I put it on whenever I have to accomplish something- and the job flies! I heard tracks from it several times during the ice skating competitions at the most recent Winter Olympics, which doesn't surprise me at all. The music is so passionate and exciting it lifts you off your feet and makes you move without being totally intrusive. I recommend this album highly. Take a chance - you won't be disappointed.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Canadian Jesse Cook gives Spanish music new meaning., April 28, 1999
By A Customer
This CD is the reason music for accoustic guitar was created: to delight, fill the senses, feed the hunger we all share for a reason to live. I saw Jesse Cook perform right here in Orlando, FL at a FREE outdoor concert. Can you believe this CD had been released only the week prior to the FREE concert. I'd heard a promo piece on our local jazz station and wrongly assumed he was a hispanic accoustic guitar player because often hispanics will shorten the name Jose to the anglicized "Jesse"---But when Jesse took the stage that afternoon, was I in for a surpise! Here was this guy with long, blond locks--wholesome, handsome, and young! He clearly was in control of his music but very connected with the audience who couldn't keep still at the sound of every string of his 12-string guitar being caressed by Jesse's magic hands. His back up musicians were the perfect complement to this fine artist. In "Mario Takes a Walk", Jesse was accompanied by a Cuban guitarist whose name escapes me now-- The affection and respect between these two men was evident and the result yielded an exquisite masterpiece of music. And what is truly stunning to me is that the genuiness of the piece is not lost in the CD. It's as if he's in your living room and you are basking in his glow. I don't think that for the rest of my life, I will ever experience anything as amazing as this. I gave this CD to someone for Christmas and she was mesmerized by the sounds. Was she ever surprised to learn that Jesse Cook is Canadian!? Yes, he is-- which goes to show us all-- passion and fire are not reserved for certain ethnic groups. Some are just more fortunate than others and can find a medium of expression for that gift. If anyone is interested in rediscovering the joy of an accoustic guitar after the assault of the electric guitar and offensive head-banging music we've learned to tolerate---then wean yourself away with a little bit of Jesse-- you'll be back for seconds and then some-- Then, tell your kids to join you for a listen (tell them they will preserve their hearing as a persuasive argument). Make the move over to Jesse's side. "Luna LLena", here I come and I'm bringing the tapas and red wine too! You try it, and you'll be changed.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jesse Cook's best, August 11, 2000
Compared to 'Tempest' and 'Vertigo', this album is arguably Jesse Cook's best collection yet. Alternating between superb upbeat percussion-driven songs and electrifying nouveau flamenco a.k.a. rumba style pieces, 'Gravity' is guaranteed to get you hooked on this magnificent performer. 'Azul', 'Rapture' and 'Luna Llena' convey such raw emotions I tremble with every listen; such unplugged duo-guitar songs were rare in the other albums, though 'Parasol' (Tempest) and 'Breathing Below Surface' (Vertigo) make up for it to a point. Although 'Rattle and Burn' and 'That's Right!' (both in Vertigo) takes the cake as my favorite upbeat songs, 'Mario takes a walk' is incomparably delightful. 'Gravity' is a good balance of the other two albums. If you want the rawest Jesse Cook you can get, then get 'Tempest'. If you want him well-done, get 'Vertigo'. Whatever the case, if you've ever been in love with the acoustic guitar, get at least one of the Cook CD's ... and be warned, because (like in my case) it might turn into an obsession ...
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by Jesse Cook 
