Gravity

1) Skillfullness of the Indivdual players

2) Composition

3) How well the players coordinate.

While my musical tastes are nominally progressive rock (Yes), West coast and some modern jazz and Mozart - I have to give a 5 to Jesses Cook on his prowness on the Spanish Guitar. Also, a 5 on composition. The album backcover describes "Gravity" as World Beat/Jazz/..... I'll give a 4 on how players coordinate. There is no doubt that the other people are there for one sole reason: to back up Jesse - however, there are a couple tracks where he let's the percussionist loose. Even though Cook is a Basque, there are a couple tracks with a distinctive Mid/Near East sound to it.

I think two numbers are "Progressive": "Closer to Madness", and "Olodum". To summarize this album: a very highly skilled Spanish Guitarist is showcasing his music to a reved up instrumental Jazz/light rock accompaniant to produce a very pleasent experience. A couple pieces I depict as Progressive, where he is on the threashold of creating a new type of music.


Canadian Jesse Cook gives Spanish music new meaning.   April 29, 1999
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

This CD is the reason music for accoustic guitar was created: to delight, fill the senses, feed the hunger we all share for a reason to live. I saw Jesse Cook perform right here in Orlando, FL at a FREE outdoor concert. Can you believe this CD had been released only the week prior to the FREE concert. I'd heard a promo piece on our local jazz station and wrongly assumed he was a hispanic accoustic guitar player because often hispanics will shorten the name Jose to the anglicized "Jesse"---But when Jesse took the stage that afternoon, was I in for a surpise! Here was this guy with long, blond locks--wholesome, handsome, and young! He clearly was in control of his music but very connected with the audience who couldn't keep still at the sound of every string of his 12-string guitar being caressed by Jesse's magic hands. His back up musicians were the perfect complement to this fine artist. In "Mario Takes a Walk", Jesse was accompanied by a Cuban guitarist whose name escapes me now-- The affection and respect between these two men was evident and the result yielded an exquisite masterpiece of music. And what is truly stunning to me is that the genuiness of the piece is not lost in the CD. It's as if he's in your living room and you are basking in his glow. I don't think that for the rest of my life, I will ever experience anything as amazing as this. I gave this CD to someone for Christmas and she was mesmerized by the sounds. Was she ever surprised to learn that Jesse Cook is Canadian!? Yes, he is-- which goes to show us all-- passion and fire are not reserved for certain ethnic groups. Some are just more fortunate than others and can find a medium of expression for that gift. If anyone is interested in rediscovering the joy of an accoustic guitar after the assault of the electric guitar and offensive head-banging music we've learned to tolerate---then wean yourself away with a little bit of Jesse-- you'll be back for seconds and then some-- Then, tell your kids to join you for a listen (tell them they will preserve their hearing as a persuasive argument). Make the move over to Jesse's side. "Luna LLena", here I come and I'm bringing the tapas and red wine too! You try it, and you'll be changed.


"GRAVITY"- an appro title for amazing collection of music!   September 22, 2000
npgraves (Phoenix, AZ, USA)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

Webster's dictionary states Gravity as: 1"the attractive central gravitational force exerted by a celestial body..." 4 "Importance", and Gravitate: "To be drawn by an irresistible force". One listen to GRAVITY, and the listener will definitely be drawn into an irresistible orbit! "Mario Takes a Walk" was the first song I ever heard of Jesse's, and it captured me forever as a dedicated fan! The song has become his "Signature" song,and the one he does for finales. (I've seen him 4 times, now!) "Closer to Madness" is absolutely mesmerizing, and seductive, my 2nd favorite. "Into the Darkness" and "Luna Llena" are also very beautiful and will touch your soul. That is one of the amazing characteristics of Jesse's music, is his ability to touch the very depths of your spirit. Gravity is really a great upbeat song and is absolutely awsome live. The other songs are also great, too. Jesse won a Gemini award for this album, which is the equivalent to a Grammy. You will not be disapointed in purchasing any of Jesse's albums, because they're all great. His new one, titled "FREE FALL" will be available Sept. 26, 2000. I have no doubts it'll be "celestial" as well!


More than just Gravity...   July 5, 2001
Paul M. (Florida, USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I first heard of Jesse Cook 3 nights ago on the "Bet on Jazz" cable TV channel where I saw him performing a live concert. I was simply mezmerized. (I have no idea why he appeared on a Jazz show though since I would not consider his music Jazz at all. I suspect the "Bet on Jazz" channel felt his music should be aired even though it is not Jazz. His music is a blend of Spanish, Latin, Arabic, Brazilian, and many other styles that he calls "Rhumba Flamenco".) After hearing his concert, I went straight to the store the next day and bought the "Gravity" CD. I was not at all disappointed. In fact, I liked it so much that I went to the store the day after that and bought the "Free Fall" and "Vertigo" CD's. Of the three, it is hard to pick one that I like the best. They are all great and each CD has it's own uniqueness. They do have one thing in common: his music touches the deepest parts of you like none that I have heard before. He truly makes his guitar SING and reminds you about the beauty of an acoustic guitar which we have all forgotten in today's electric guitar world. And then there is his skill level - his fingers just glide flawlessly over the notes at speeds that are simply amazing. Watching him on that TV show, his fingers were literally blurred at times from the speed at which they were moving. In my opinion, for the best experience, you should stop what you are doing and just listen to his music with your full attention. However, his music is perfectly appropriate as background music to social occasions or anything else that you might be doing. I will be buying his first and only other album, Tempest, soon - and I will be watching for future new releases. I simply love his music. If you haven't listened to Jesse's music, you're missing out on a fantastic musical experience.