Search - Matthew Cook :: Stormy Weather

In this wonderful collection of solo piano ballads, Matthew Cook brings a fresh outlook to many timeless classics from several decades of music from the soulful ?Stormy Weather? of yesteryear to Jobim?s ?Corcovado? to Denny Sarokin?s recently penned ?Sanibel?, which first appeared on CSNY?s ?Looking Forward? album of 2000. Denny had this to say about ?Sanibel? : "I did check out "Sanibel". You did a beautiful job of transfering the spirit of an acousticfolk/pop piece into an eloquent, posh piano arrangement. I'm honored thatyou considered my song for your CD, especially in the company of so many other classic songs." Once again the elaborate arrangements of this pianist are evident in such songs as the Beatles? ?Dear Prudence? , Billie Holiday?s ?God Bless The Child?, and ?You?ve Changed?. However, this album presents a departure for Cook with several songs that are simply and elegantly stated. The great Gershwin Classic ?Someone To Watch Over Me?, ?Moon River?, the Eagle?s ?Desperado??, ?Here, There & Everywhere?, and the abovementioned ?Sanibel? are examples from all over the musical spectrum. Of these songs Cook had this to say: "Some songs just cry out to be played as they were written...more or less... they seem to just want to be played simply and smoothly." Stormy Weather is a true collection of well-played ballads, many familiar yet some from beyond the realm of common piano repertoire. Perfect for a roaring fire on a cold night, this is a very romantic album.