Blue Guitar Sessions

Personnel: Jesse Cook (guitar, piano, percussion); Emma-Lee (vocals); Chris Church (violin); Amy Laing (cello); Tom Szczesniak (accordion, piano); Chendy Leon (drums, percussion).
Recording information: Coach House Music.
Photographers: Jesse Cook; Dominique Soulard.
Stepping away a bit from his signature rhumba flamenco guitar style on The Blue Guitar Sessions, his eighth studio album, new age guitarist Jesse Cook broadens his canvas with jazzy ballads, soft blues, and smooth, atmospheric instrumental pop to make what is probably his most broadly accessible release to date. There's plenty of his sweet guitar playing here, so fans don't need to worry about that, but on tracks like the dreamy version of "I Put a Spell On You" (which features a languid and sultry vocal from guest Emma-Lee) and the elevator bop jazz piece "Miles Shorter," Cook expands his range into new territories. ~ Steve Leggett