Al Cook – Mississippi 1930

Al Cook, Pioneer and longest-serving legend of the Austrian Blues scene is celebrating 2014 his 50 years stage anniversary. A half century authentic Blues, without making the slightest concession to the contemporary taste in music. 
On this CD he processes for example in music the life of Charley Patton, together with Tommy Johnsons alcohol problem and arouse their personality in self composed songs.
Al Cook is always himself and catches on with his strong voice power. 
Additionally as long Elvis Fan he attends to the universally known Big Boy Crudup composition “That’s Allright Mama” and moves them from the late 40ies directly to Mississippi of the early 30ies.
Finally there are also songs which are dealing with archaic Barrelhouse-Piano and Hard Delta Blues. 
This CD is a must for fans, which are into the real Blues!

Track Listing:
1. Mississippi 1930 Intro - 1:37   2. Comment, Pt. 1 - 0:25   3. Mississippi Blues, Pt. 1: Charley Patton's Blues - 2:50   4. Race Horse Blues - 4:23   5. Comment, Pt. 2 - 0:21   6. Cannonball Blues - 3:29   7. Comment, Pt. 3 - 0:17   8. Jake Liquor Blues - 4:19   9. Comment, Pt. 4 - 0:17   10. Mississippi Women Blues - 2:40   11. Mississippi Blues, Pt. 2 - 3:34   12. Comment, Pt. 5 - 0:39   13. Death Bell Blues - 4:11   14. Comment, Pt. 6 - 0:17   15. Hard Delta Blues - 3:18   16. Comment, Pt. 7 - 0:19   17. Magnolia Blues - 2:21   18. Comment, Pt. 8 - 0:34   19. Magnum 45 Blues - 4:57   20. Comment, Pt. 9 - 0:31   21. I'm Wild About You Baby - 3:55   22. Comment, Pt. 10 - 0:28   23. Black Hearted Woman Blues - 3:28   24. Comment, Pt. 11 - 0:33   25. Reckless Woman Blues - 3:14   26. Comment, Pt. 12 - 0:33   27. Southbound Train Blues - 4:26   28. Comment, Pt. 13 - 0:36   29. That's Allright - 3:10   30. Comment, Pt. 14 - 0:22   31. Piney Wood Blues - 3:26   32. Comment, Pt. 15 - 0:48   33. No More Good Water - 4:27   34. Farewell - 0:07

Personnel:
Al Cook (vocals, guitar, piano) , Katie Kern (vocal on 6) , Andy Fasching (violin on 3) , Raoul Herget (tuba on 27) , Karin Daym (bass on 21,23, vocal on 25) , Steve Rush (harp on 33) , Charles Lloyd (piano on 3)

Reviews:

1. www.lahoradelblues.com - 2014.06.02
Al Cook es uno de los pioneros de la escena del blues en Austria y uno de los mejores estudiosos europeos del blues, tanto de preguerra como del blues urbano de los años cuarenta y cincuenta. Al toca guitarra y piano, además de cantar con el verdadero fervor con que lo hacen los músicos que aman el blues, es decir, con todo su cuerpo y alma. Cook conoce y domina el género como la palma de la mano y sus homenajes y tributos a los pioneros del género son de sobra conocidos por sus seguidores y admiradores de la antigua escuela más tradicional. Si no estoy equivocado éste es el octavo álbum que graba para Wolf Records y, una vez más, su álbum es una pequeña joya, una obra de arte, uno de esos discos que no se pueden dejar escapar. El  disco se convierte en un auténtico e interesante viaje por la tierra que vio nacer el blues, con unas canciones comentadas por el propio Cook al principio de cada una de ellas. Composiciones propias y algunos ‘covers’ que nos conducen hasta Charley Patton, Tommy Johnson, Charlie Spand, Son House, Big Joe Williams, Tommy McClennan, Tampa Red y muchos otros. El sonido es totalmente ‘vintage’ y da la impresión de que estamos en cualquier antro, juke-joint o barrelhouse de la época en pleno Mississippi. Junto a Cook se encuentran unos pocos músicos que dan color y viveza a una música que todavía perdura y sigue vigente en los corazones de los que amamos el blues de ayer, de hoy y de siempre. IMPRESCINDIBLE. 

Al Cook is one of Austrian blues scene pioneers, as well as one of the most important European pre-war and forties and fifties urban blues experts. Al plays guitar, piano and he also sings with the deep passion only musicians who love the blues have, and he does it dedicating himself body and soul. Cook knows the music he plays as the palm of his hand and his amazing tributes to legendary blues names are well known among his followers and traditional old-school blues lovers. If I am not wrong, this is the eighth album he has recorded for Wolf Records and, once again, it is a real treasure, a work of art, one of these recordings one cannot miss. The album becomes an exciting real trip through the land that was the blues birthplace, with interesting comments Al gives us at the beginning of each one. Own Al’s compositions together with some covers that lead us to Charley Patton, Tommy Johnson, Charlie Spand, Son House, Big Joe Williams, Tommy McClennan or Tampa Red, among many other legendary names. Completely vintage sound that makes us dream and feel we are in those old Mississippi juke-joints or barrelhouses. Besides Cook you will find some musicians who give a colorful liveliness to a kind of music that still stands and strongly remains in the hearts of those of us who deeply love yesterday, today and forevermore blues. ESSENTIAL.