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Scott Cook Trio in concert August 11th, 2012

Last Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of seeing traveling hobo-minstrel Scott Cook in concert.  His latest CD, Moonlit Rambles, is the best new album I’ve heard in ages, and the live show at Nancy O’s, a cosy venue in Prince George, did it righteous justice.  A songwriter’s songwriter, Scott is a consummate lyricist and a fine finger-style guitarist whose rich, deep singing voice is full of soul, heart, and character.  Although every song he played was a gem, and all three of his albums are excellent, I especially loved hearing the new material, including ”Song for the slow dancers,” whose hard-hitting critique of the modern music business is carried on a light-hearted, melodic shuffle that simultaneously belies and enhances the song’s gritty protest against a jaded industry concerned with maximizing corporate profit rather than with celebrating ”that ol’ peace, love and understanding.”  Another of my favourites–a snappy, Woodie Guthrie-style protest song called “The Lord giveth (and the landlord taketh away)”–would be a perfect anthem for the Occupy movement.  Performed with energy and exuberance, it got the whole room stoked and singing along.  But perhaps my favourite song of the evening was the new album’s gorgeous title track, “Moonlit Rambles,” a “love song for the moon,” as Scott called it.  This ballad is pure poetry, exploring emotions I’ve often felt but have never had the words to express, and featuring several lines so perfect I wish I had written them myself.  An artist like Scott Cook doesn’t come along every day.  If you’ve never heard his music, be sure to check it out, and if you have a chance to see him in concert, don’t pass it up.  Although he is primarily an acoustic artist, he electrifies the room with his big smile, great sense of humour, and genuinely heartfelt style.  Scott is the real deal.  Check him out online at www.scottcook.net.