Montreal by Jesse Cook

08 Jul

Written by Natasha Mitchell
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Guitarist Jesse Cook's recent live album "Montréal" was recorded during the 2004 Montreal International Jazz Festival. "Montréal" features songs spanning Cook's career from all five of his best-selling albums. The compact disc contains guest performances by Danny Wilde ("Fall At Your Feet"), Egyptian singer Maryem Tollar and percussion ensemble The Samba Squad.

"Montréal" is not only enticing, but contains clear, live versions of Cook's hits. Cook, a Canadian instrumentalist/composer/arranger/producer, offers a collective glance of his life as a musical nomad. In "Montréal," apparent influences from Spain, Africa, Cuba, Egypt, France and Brazil are noted in the CD's selections. Absorbing Cook's musical symposium is like sitting at the feet of Dalai Lama. From the exceptional selection "Mario Takes a Walk" to the final track "Fall at Your Feet," this award-winning rumba flamenco master is hard to beat.

As "Montréal" debuts in the U.S. market, let's hope this musician receives the respect he has worldwide. Kudos to Narada Records for signing this brilliant musician.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Jesse Cook
CD Title: Montreal
Genre: World Music
Year Released: 2004
Record Label: Narada Records
Tracks: Beloved, Rattle And Burn, Cascada, Breeze From Saintes Maries, Jumpstart/ Air, Tempest, Querido Amigo, Closer To Madness, Luna Lena, Dance of Spring/Mario Takes A Walk, Baghdad, Fall At Your Feet
Musicians: Jesse Cook (guitar), Paul Antonio (drums), Art Avalos (percussion, Collin Barrett(bass), Chris Church (violin and vocals), Nicolas Hernandez (guitar), Hampig Djavorian (duduk), Maryem Tollar (vocals on "Beloved"), Danny Wilde (vocals on "Fall At Your Feet"), Rick Shadrach Lazar (Artistic director and repinique), Negin Bahrami, Greg Meleca and Danielle Lafond (surdos), Frank Hayashi (caixa), Tony Pierre, Gili Gurvitz and Layah Davis (tamborims), Lyba Spring (bell), Guiomar Campbell (shaker)
Label Website: http://www.narada.com
Rating: Five Stars