Eli Cook is an American blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. Cook has released six albums before his 30th birthday. AllMusic noted that Cook "has what it takes to be the best blues singer of his generation." Blues Matters! stated that Cook is "among the top 3 solo blues artists world-wide." His main influences came from the work of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Soundgarden, and Rage Against the Machine.
Early life
Eli Cook was born in Nelson County, Virginia, United States. He learned to play the guitar by the age of 13, while growing up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. His professional career commenced by performing acoustic blues at Rapunzel's Coffee House in Lovingston, Virginia, just two years later. Cook was playing community centers and churches by the age of 16. As he recalls:
Career
Playing variously acoustic and electric live sets, Cook self-released his debut album, Moonshine Mojo, in 2004. He opened for B.B. King when he was aged 18.
His 2007 release, Electricholyfirewater, was a heavier blues rock affair. Valley Entertainment issued Miss Blues'es Child in 2007, which included Cook's versions of Jimmy Reed's "Baby What You Want Me to Do" and Bukka White's "Fixin' To Die." Static in the Blood followed in 2009. In 2013, Cook signed a recording contract with Cleopatra Records. Cook's, Primitive Son, contained guest appearances by Vinny Appice and Artimus Pyle ; Tinsley Ellis, Eric Gales, Leslie West, Pat Travers and Harvey Mandel ; Sonny Landreth ; Rod Piazza ; and Reese Wynans. The album was co-produced by Cook. In August 2017, Eli released High-Dollar Gospel on his own C.R. 8 Records to rave reviews from American Blues Scene to No Depression and Vintage Guitar. The album was a blend of his love of country pickers to blues rockers and old covers from Muddy Waters and Roosevelt Sykes that have been in his live shows for years. His cover of Bob Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" is a stand out as well.
Reception
Blues Matters! magazine featured Cook on the cover of its October/November issue. He was listed in third place in Blues Matters! 2015 Writer’s Poll, as the Favorite International Blues Solo Artist. Ace, Jack & King was reviewed in Vintage Guitar magazine.
Musical style
Instruments
Eli Cook performs on a resophonic guitar by National and a 12-string acoustic guitar made by Rockbridge Guitars in Charlottesville, Virginia. Both instruments are electrified supplementally. He adds percussion with his right foot on a hand cymbal/tambourine positioned on a metal case. His left foot beats out a bass drum rhythm on an "improvised stomp box"—an empty guitar case "with a mic inside it." He sings in a "rich baritone" in the Southern tradition.
Honors, awards, distinctions
He opened for B.B. King at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia in February 2008, a couple of months before his 21st birthday.
He was named the third favorite international blues solo artist in a 2015 Blues Matters! magazine’s writers poll.
