Stormy Weather

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
I am an artist from Northern California. I create environments for people to enjoy. Surrounded by the beauty of our Ancient Redwood Forests, steeped in the stillness and awe-inspiring power of nature, my art speaks of a sense of peace and well-being amid the struggles of being human. Each song is it’s own environment within which the melody and improvisation occur; an environment the listener can be in and draw from.

As a solo pianist, comparisons with George Winston, Yanni, and other instrumentalists are inevitable. While there may be some similarities, my music speaks with it’s own unique voice, paints with it’s own brush, portraits of places and feelings beyond the common experience that transform and enrich the lives of the listeners.

Product Description
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.

Stormy Weather,Matthew Cook,Arianna Recording,A warm, relaxing piano performance filled with romance and passion; a heady mix of unique arrangements and emotional playing.

Jazz Music: Stormy Weather

Jazz Music: