TOMMY LEE COOK
Outside Looking In
Track #1-What You Gone Do
&
Track #3-Take A Breath
...
The World Famous
Buckingham Blues Bar
5641-Buckingham Road
Fort Myers, Florida U.S.A.
(239) 693-7111
buckinghambluesbar@hotmail.com
Outside Looking In's first CD review...
Tommy,
Thanks for the CD. I'm going to make sure it gets in Greg Martin's hands.
He hosts "The LowDown Hoedown"which is a blues show here on D93.
We receive hundreds of CDs every year. I listen to everything that comes through.
99% of all independently produced material I get is really poor, both from a
production standpoint and from a creative standpoint. Most of the so-called
"Label" stuff I get is not a whole lot more interesting. Your CD stands heads
above the crowd. Kudos to the production, guitar tones, and to the song quality.
Your music reminds me of a hybrid of Leon Russell, Johnny Guitar Watson, and
Delbert McClinton, yet you're unmistakeably you. Continued success...
Bryan Locke
Program Director
WDNS
Bowling Green KY
Bowling Green's Classic Rock D93
More Reviews...
Tommy Lee Cook picked up a guitar when the Beatles were hot, but he's been putting out some great rocking blues in Florida, with his band, the Allstars, for years. On Cook's latest release, Outside Looking In (Two Mules Music), he almost goes it alone with only Pat "Cleanhead" Hayes on harmonica and Danny Shepard on electric guitar and midi-programming. Cook does the rest (electric and acoustic guitars, Dobro, vocals and midi-programming). Cook was at a musical crossroads following the death of his good friend and musical partner, Hamp Walker (the disc is dedicated to him).
Cook and the band play blues styles ranging from Chicago to Delbert McClinton roadhouse to the Allman Brothers' southern rock. He's also a clever songwriter, with tunes like "Take A Breath," a track about a talkative person that sounds like it's straight out of Albert Collins' songbook, "What You Gone Do," punctuated with sound advice from his mama, and "God's Little Acre," a straight roadhouse rocker. "This Old Flame" is a soulful number that waxes philosophical, similar to the opening track.
"Grits and Groceries" is a fun song that pays tribute to southern cuisine that makes you hungry just listening. "She's Got The Look" is a slinky rocker about a woman who has it all and knows what to do with it. "The Truth About Lies" is another track loaded with unique philosophy…..some of which listeners will find themselves nodding their heads in agreement.
If you're unfamiliar with Tommy Lee Cook, you will enjoy his songwriting, which puts a unique spin on everyday affairs. He's also a fine guitarist and singer. I'm glad that he decided to continue making music. He's got a gift that should be shared with blues fans. Hopefully, we will hear more from him before long. Stop by his website for more info and if you're in the Fort Myers area, visit his Buckingham Blues Bar, where he and the Allstars play every Sunday and Wednesday.
Graham Clarke
Blues Bytes
Friday Blues Fix
Back To CD's Page