Free Fall [ENHANCED]

Jesse Cook

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B00004YL5M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,617 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Switchback

2. Air

3. Virtue

4. Free Fall

5. Paloma

6. Incantation

7. All That Remains

8. On Walks the Night

9. Querido Amigo

10. Viva

11. Fall at Your Feet

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Already one of the most appealing talents among contemporary flamenco guitarists, Jesse Cook skillfully expands his discography with a spirited, satisfying recording (his fourth) that reconfirms his position as one of the elite composer/performers in the genre. Specializing in "rumba flamenco," Cook (born in Paris to Canadian parents) here embellishes his vibrant playing with well-crafted arrangements and imaginative instrumental colors, from the gypsy violin of the title track to the involving Middle Eastern mystery of "Incantation" to the fascinating mix of Arabic strings and subtle hip-hop rhythms on the disc's most distinctive piece, "On Walks the Night." Cook's playing is intricate, challenging, and rewarding, bringing expressive flair even to his subdued ballads ("Virtue," "All That Remains"). He tacks on a vocal selection near the disc's conclusion, a modest reworking of Neil Finn's "Fall at Your Feet" (Danny Wilde of the Rembrandts, close to a Finn clone, is the singer), then closes the disc with an uncredited live track, the percussion-heavy "Mario Takes a Walk." That piece, along with "Rattle and Burn," is also presented in video form as part of an enhanced-CD package. Good listening. --Terry Wood

From Jazziz

With "On Walks the Night," the dramatic centerpiece tune on Jesse Cook's fourth Narada album Free Fall, the rumba-flamenco-styled guitarist practically creates a whole new genre: hip-hop gypsy. The tune begins with mystical vocal sounds and jungly soundscaping, then weaves a swelling Middle Eastern-flavored string section and Cook's plucky acoustic melody (and later a swaying harmony line created by George Gow's erhu, a Chinese violin) over crunchy, rolling urban grooves and thunderous percussion explosions. Toward the end, Cook takes the opportunity to do his trademark "bumble bee" improvising over what sounds like an Arabic film score.

None of the other 10 tracks on Free Fall are quite so inventive. There is densely, more intricately textured percussion, but the balance of speedy flamenco gems and thoughtful ballads reminds us the best of Cook's previous work. On "Switchback," the train-track percussion and zippy basslines push Cook to breakneck speeds on his harmony lines, which roll along quickly beneath a hooky melody. The groove on "Air" is more loping, but the melody is jumpy and enchanting. Normally, it's nice to mix a few ballads with the party tunes, but thoughtful pieces like "Virtue" - while perfect for romance and radio - detract from the real fun here. "Incantation" is the perfect compromise, beginning as a transcendental meditation before exploding into a percussive jam complete with Djivan Gasparyan's duduq, a wailing Arabic wind instrument, which blends beautifully with the erhu.

--- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! Fantastic new album from Jesse.., September 27, 2000

By A Customer

I went into this album expecting the virtuosity I have come to expect from Jesse Cook after his first three albums, so in that respect I was a little disappointed, but it was also pleasantly surprising. At first listen, there is less of the flashy guitar solos in this album that his previous albums, with the melodies often being taken over by other instruments. The playing here is more subtle, mellower, but in my opinion, more effective. It has a different feel, texture, and overall style. It's emotional stuff with a lot of depth. This album also features a wide variety of exotic instruments, which give the whole album a sometimes surreal, often more wordly feel. There is a strong Arabic influence and very interesting rhythms.

The album is an "enhanced cd" and also features videos of "Mario Takes a Walk" and "Rattle and Burn." And the best bonus has to be the hidden track of a live performance of "Mario Takes a Walk" (it rocks!!)

All in all, this is a great addition to Jesse's oeuvre and I highly recommend it. I just wish Jesse would give a live performance in Northern California!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A hybrid built on a hybrid, June 3, 2005

By	A. Cohn (Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had to chuckle at the irony of reviewers who criticized this recording for not being flamenco-ish enough. Flamenco itself is a fusion of Spanish, Gypsy, Moorish, and Jewish musical influences, not a pure-bred style. In addition, Cook is not from the old school of Sabicas, Serrano, or Heredia. Cook plays nouveau flamenco, which is itself an update of the traditional style and instrumentation. So, why is an futher experimentation by a modernizer of a hybrid music an artistic faux pas?

I love the stylistic explorations and fusions on this CD, just as I do on Ottmar Liebert's "Solo Para Ti." I like this recording better than Gravity, which had too much flashy technique masking the passion of flamenco for my taste. Here, Cook's technical skills are evident, but so is the soul of the music. The silences in the slow pieces frame emotional music. The slow, spare beginning of "Free Fall," for example, evokes the cool pre-dawn of the Arabian desert, while the busier passages reminded me of belly dances, with coins clinking against against each other on the dancers' costumes. By the middle of the piece, I was swaying, my energy rising and falling in sync with the progression of the song. "Incantation" is exactly that, a pensive, meditative mood-setter. The melancholy in "All That Remains" is palpable, and I wondered whether Cook was mourning a lost love or a grand city reduced to rubble. And I enjoyed "At Your Feet" for what it is: a fine, latin-tinged pop song.

I can understand that some reviewers don't like the middle-eastern flavors in some of the songs. Perhaps Cook's composition and playing is too derivative for the most discerning of listeners. But to criticize the artist for going beyond his stylistic roots is just plain close-minded. Not only has this CD passed the "one-week" test, it will get regular play in my stereo, computer, and car.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Free Fall" into Music Heaven, October 2, 2000

By	"cbclam" (San Diego, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This CD brings back all of the magic that inspired me to fall in love with the music of Jesse Cook. I couldn't remove the cardboard & shrink wrap fast enough to get it in the cd player.

While watching the videos on this enhanced version, chills crept over me and my mind wandered back a few years ago to seeing Jesse play live at Thornton Winery in Temecula, Ca. Oh, to relive the magic of that night again w/music from then and now his newest edition.

This is by far Jesse's best work since Gravity. Your feet will never stop moving and your body will naturally want to sway with the up-beat tempo of the music.