Bman's Blues Report

Eli Cook Delivers A Musical Whiplash With New Album High-Dollar Gospel Out August 18 On C.R.8 Records Label Debut “Mystifying” – John Mayall “Everybody knows the story of the crossroads, where blues guitarists go at midnight to trade their souls to the devil for musical prowess. It’s just a myth, of course, but if it were true, firebrand Eli Cook could have bragging rights, as his scarifying solo-country blues chill like a hellhound on your trail.” -  Guitar Player (2007) Eli Cook is a mystifying soul. He’s a keen observer, a provoking thinker and has swagger. All under that messy blonde hair is a passionate heart with fingers of silver and gold that recalls John Lee Hooker, Chris Smither, and Chet Atkins, mixed in with a dirty, grungy sound. It’s clean playing mind you; it’s just his fingers are covered in the dirt left over from the crossroads. High-Dollar Gospel preaches a high voltage bolt to your ears and shakes you loose. Coming from Albe...

I just received the newest release (April 29, 2014), Primitive Son , from Eli Cook and it's a rockin, snarling blues guitar release. Opening with War Horse , Cook and gang (Wade Warfield on drums and Rob Richmond on bass) crank up a Led Zep feel with a southern twist. It has a mesmerizing groove and cool guitar riffs. Revelator has a bit more pop to it adding Vinny Appice (drums), Jorgen Carlsson (bass and B3) and Steffen Presley and Greg Hampton on backing vocals. Sweet Thang has a slinky sound and features Tinsley Ellis on additional guitar. High In The Morning , a southern influenced track features Sonny Landreth on some slick slide work. Reese Wynans adds some Vocals remind me quite a bit of Black Label Society. Won't Be Long is a real nice little acoustic ballad featuring Cook on acoustic slide and vocal. Motor Queen steps out with real attitude... a club swingin blues rocker with Leslie West joining on guitar. This track has a lot of attitude and is one of my favorit...

I just received the new release, Ace, Jack & King by Eli Cook and it's really smokey. The recording opens with Death Rattle , one of 9 original tracks on this release. I really like this track which conjures up the feeling of the back country south and ancient blues.The band consists of Cook on vocal, guitar and mandolin; Brian "Boogie" Thomas on bass; Wade Warfield on drums, percussion and hand claps and Wavorly Milor on harmonica. Please, Please has the feel of a country blues with simple acoustic guitar, slide and tambourine and Cooks deep rich voice. Snake Charm has a rockier blues but raw sound. Plugged in with simple rhythm, driving grinding guitar, solid bass, drums and screaming harp. This is a very cool modern interpretation of ancient blues. Skip James' Catfish Blues is up next. This track is literally an acoustic guitar, tambourine and Cook's deep rich voice. Although a startling difference from Skip James voice, Cook has a very strong melodi...

Eli Cook grew up on the blues: Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, the Wolf, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Mississippi John Hurt. He first picked up the guitar when he was fourteen, and began his own performance career playing vintage blues, gospel shows, and revivals in Nelson County, Virginia when he was fifteen. His first electric trio, The Red House Blues Band, was formed in 2002 while a junior at Monticello Highschool. Eli was called a 'blues phenomenon' by reviewers in near-by Charlottesville: "Featuring fast-fingered guitar and a powerful voice beyond his years, Cook doesn't need any Robert-Johnson-style pact with the devil to take him to the top." Influenced by the songs of R.L.Burnside, Bukka White, and Son House, he recorded Miss Blues'es Child at The Sound of Music Studios In Richmond Virginia in a single autumn day, playing a borrowed 12-string and his own old Gibson, accompanying himself with a kick-drum or a tambourine tied to his boot. Patrick ...