Eli Cook (musician)

Eli Cook

Performing in Bethlehem, New Hampshire,
November 19, 2016
Background information
Birth name Eli Hudnall Cook
Born (1986-04-24) April 24, 1986
Nelson County, Virginia, United States
Genres Blues, blues rock[1]
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 2000s–present
Website Official website

Eli Cook (born April 24, 1986) is an American blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. Cook has released six albums before his 30th birthday.

AllMusic noted that Cook "has what it takes to be the best blues singer of his generation."[2] Blues Matters! stated that Cook is "among the top 3 solo blues artists world-wide."[3] His main influences came from the work of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Soundgarden, and Rage Against the Machine.[4]

Life and career

Early

Eli Hudnall Cook was born in Nelson County, Virginia, United States.[5] He learned to play the guitar by the age of 13,[6] while growing up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.[7] His professional career commenced by performing acoustic blues at Rapunzel's Coffee House in Lovingston, Virginia, just two years later.[8] Playing variously acoustic and electric live sets, Cook self-released his debut album, Moonshine Mojo, in 2004.[7] He opened for B.B. King when he was aged 18.[6]

Appearances

Cook has shared stage with Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Robin Trower, Parliament-Funkadelic, Shemekia Copeland, Gary Clark, Jr., and Roomful of Blues.[5][6] Cook also performed on the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.[5] He performed at the South by Southwest Festival in 2014.[1] Cooke as opened for John Mayall at The Hamilton in Washington, D.C.[9]

National tours have bolstered his live appearance profile.[5]

Releases

His 2007 release, Electricholyfirewater, was a heavier blues rock affair. Valley Entertainment issued Miss Blues'es Child in 2007,[7] which included Cook's versions of Jimmy Reed's "Baby What You Want Me to Do" and Bukka White's "Fixin' To Die."[10] Static in the Blood followed in 2009.[7]

In 2013, Cook signed a recording contract with Cleopatra Records.[7] Cook's most recent album, Primitive Son (2014), contained guest appearances by Vinny Appice and Artimus Pyle (drums); Tinsley Ellis, Eric Gales, Leslie West, Pat Travers and Harvey Mandel (guitar); Sonny Landreth (slide guitar); Rod Piazza (harmonica); and Reese Wynans (Hammond B3 organ). The album was co-produced by Cook.[11]

Reception

Blues Matters! magazine featured Cook on the cover of its October/November (No. 86) issue.[3] He was listed in third place in Blues Matters! 2015 Writer’s Poll, as the Favorite International Blues Solo Artist.[12] Ace, Jack & King (2011) was reviewed in Vintage Guitar magazine.[13]

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, 21-year-old firebrand Eli Cook could have bragging rights, as his scarifying solo-country blues chill like a hellhound on your trail.
— David Ruben, Guitar Player

Instruments

Eli Cook performs on a resophonic guitar by National and a 12-string acoustic guitar made by Rockbridge Guitars in Charlottesville, Virginia. Both instruments are electrified supplementally. He adds percussion with his right foot on a hand cymbal/tambourine positioned on a metal case. His left foot beats out a bass drum rhythm on an "improvised stomp box"—an empty guitar case "with a mic inside it." He sings in a "rich baritone"[9] in the Southern tradition.

His voice is booming, and he picks a 12-string as easily and fluidly as he does the resonator.
— J. M. McSpadden, III, No Depression

Discography

Albums

Year Title Record label
2004 Moonshine Mojo Self released
2007 Electricholyfirewater Cookin' Records
2007 Miss Blues'es Child Valley Entertainment
2009 Static in the Blood White Noise Music
2011 Ace, Jack & King CD Baby
2014 Primitive Son Cleopatra Records

[14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Eli Cook – Primitive Son | Album Review". Blues Blast Magazine. 2014-04-27. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  2. ↑ "Miss Blues' Child - Eli Cook | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  3. 1 2 "Eli Cook Official Site". Elicook.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  4. ↑ Kim Hudson (2015-07-10). "Band in a Box: Eli Cook". FOX2now.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Eli Cook". ReverbNation.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  6. 1 2 3 Emma Schkloven. "Primitive son: Blues musician Eli Cook keeps the genre alive - The Burg: Cover Story". Newsadvance.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bio". Elicook.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  8. ↑ "Eli Cook | Moonshine Mojo | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  9. 1 2 McSpadden III, J. M. (2014-11-25). "Eli's Cook is here and He's Making a Big Noise". No Depression. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
  10. ↑ "Eli Cook". Puremusic.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  11. ↑ "Primitive Son - Eli Cook | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  12. ↑ "Eli Cook lands on Blues Matters' list of top international blues solo artists". The Daily Progress. 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  13. ↑ "Eli Cook |". Vintageguitar.com. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  14. ↑ "Eli Cook | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
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