Gill Cook – Morning With You
(Mainstem MSTCD0058. CD Review by Frank Griffith)

Vocalist Gill Cook celebrates a wide variety of composers and styles on her second release for the venerable and respected Mainstem label run by David Hays. She clearly demonstrates a significant vocal talent and is joined by a wonderful team of musicians complementing her distinctive and intimate style excellently. Peter Nero’s New York on Sunday, a nice easy swinger establishes the mood effectively as an opening track with the assistance of bassist, Dominick Howles‘ superb arrangement. I also enjoyed Gill’s re invention of Black Coffee and Carole King’s understated song, Stand Behind Me enhanced by trumpeter Steve Waterman‘s supportive riffs and obbligati. Howles’ unique and sparkling arrangement of Prefab Sprout’s (yeah, really) When Love Breaks Down also scores highly bringing out a lighthearted and quirky side to Gill’s vocal ouevre. Her own composition, the title track, also delivers wonderfully with her interpretation of a modern theme and sentiment.

Hats off to the talents of drummer Matt Fishwick and pianist Nick Tomalin, both stand-out sideman and soloists in their own right. Good on you, Gill, for this latest offering which increases the appetite for the next offering from the Mainstem label. 

Link: Brian Blain’s review of the launch gig for this album