"Jesse Cook plays guitar, and he does it really well. His recipe is deceivingly simple: some nouveau flamenco (or call it what you will, you'll know what I mean), some World Music, spiced up with good percussion section, innovative, layered arrangements, and a discreet, but perfect technique. Musically, like Ottmar Liebert, Cook throws a lot of odd stuff in the mix, and makes it work amazingly well. But while listening to Liebert always leaves me wishing he had the technical (playing) skill to match his impressive creativity, this guy actually has both! Cook is a musician with a solid, classical guitar training, and fresh ideas to match. I can listen to that for hours. What a treat."
It may not be for the purist, but I love it.
J. Kaiser | San Jose, CA USA | 02/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"O.K. It may not be "Flamenco" in the true sense of the term, but it's the best "new" music I've heard in 20 years. Jesse Cook's style, whatever you care to call it, is fresh and exciting. I turned on a friend who is a jazz and classical guitarist; he was so impressed that he started taking Flamenco lessons. The classical and Flamenco purists may not like Jesse Cook, but I think he'll do more to create awareness of those genres than any of the traditional players."
Gigantic if underappreciated talent
J. M. Edgar | Nebraska | 10/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Cook's music is impossible to classify. It is not New Age, and not Jazz, two categories into which critics have tried to crush his great talent. The music is a blend of flamenco, classical Spanish guitar, and Latin American folk music with the enthusiasm and energy of Miami Sound Machine.This is great guitar music. You would do yourself a disservice not to go buy every album."
What? Who?
djinnji | Denham Springs, LA United States | 07/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Strolling through Gastown in Vancouver, my ears perked to the sounds of a gypsy guitar calling from the window of a basement music shop. I stood by the window for an hour listening, waiting for the music to flatten or turn as so many promising albums can. But it never did. I asked the clerk, "What, Who? Tell me you have this in stock!" But alas, they were sold out. And for good reason! This album blew me away. And if you are a guitar lover who is tired of artists sounding flat and over-composed, it will blow you away to. I am usually a hard sell when it comes to new music. I have to listen to an album a few times before I get into it - but not this one! It was love at first note! If you have any iota of an appreciation for music and artistry you WILL love this album. And if you don't, you have my sympathy."
Jesse Cook is back!
Raymond Tan | Singapore Singapore | 03/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I own all of Jesse Cook's albums and am a devoted listener after discovering his music two months ago. I was very surprised to read Mr.Taxman's low rating of Vertigo ... so what if Cook is not real flamenco. Who cares? It's the music that counts. Felt that Cook is back to his best after the debacle of Gravity. There's a smoky and surreal atmosphere that went well with his traditionally fiesty guitar playing. Recording quality is first rate and I use this as a reference CD to test hi-fi systems. Track 6 Breathing Below Surface is my favourite. It sends shivers of pleasure whenever I hear it. If this is how Cook is evolving his music I can't wait to get his next album."