Al Cook – Mississippi 1930 – A Fictional Journey To The Land Where The Blues Began – Wolf Records CD 120.978 

This collection by Al Cook will surely startle those unaware of his position in the world of blues.  Cook was raised in Vienna, Austria, and seeing an Elvis Presley movie at the age of 15 set the course for him of a lifelong career in music.  Cook set out to teach himself guitar, piano, and the art of singing, and once he encountered the blues, his focus was further narrowed, though he did have an affinity for rockabilly, as well. 

Once he became aware of the blues, Cook strove to define and refine the vocal and instrumental techniques of his blues idols, among them, Charley Patton, Texas Alexander, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Johnson, and Son House, among others. 

So devoted to the blues was Cook that he became a significant figure on the Austrian cultural scene, often performing with many of the established legendary blues titans such as Roosevelt Sykes, John Jackson, Johnny Shines, Little Brother Montgomery, and David “Honeyboy” Edwards, again among many others.

Make no mistake: Cook is not a sheer imitator or simple revivalist.  No, Cook, while steering in the lanes of his highly valued blues traditions, seems to make each blues his own with carefully constructed vocal and instrumental passages, rendering his work instinctively inspired.

Cook is equally adept on guitar and piano, and his voice tackles the song issues with a feeling that he must certainly be actually facing the topics being considered.  His work is enormously authentic and pure.  What Cook achieves here, as a Caucasian playing and singing the blues, is to endear the listener to his musical viewpoints via a modern-day chronological blues musical influence package that lends all an enhanced consideration of the blues genre.

There is no hiding or posing here whatsoever: Cook’s blues attributes are strong and stirring, and he is able to evoke the emotional responses that are at the heart of the blues vernacular.

Interspersed among Cook’s blues are comments on varying blues-related topics, and the guests along for the ride supplement Cook’s blues visions, but are never intrusive.

This astounding 34-cut CD released in 2013 will surely surprise many, and that is always a welcome outcome in the blues collecting journey.

Highly-recommended, indeed!