"Welder" by Elizabeth Cook

I got back from LA Thursday night and found a lovely surprise: an autographed copy of Elizabeth Cook's wonderful new album "Welder". I have known Elizabeth and been a fan of her music (and her, too !!) for several years now. "Balls", her critically acclaimed 2007 album, is on my ipod and close to my heart. I have played several tracks from this album on my radio show and, honestly, I think she is unique, one of a kind. A TRUE artist.

I put "Welder" in the CD player yesterday and headed west in to Berkeley. I listened to this album, literally, all day -- all the way through at least 4 times and some songs I played 8-10 times apiece, maybe more. This is an amazing album.

It also had to be an album that took some "balls" to do, too -- since it doesn't fit a formula and, in my opinion, is probably not so easy to categorize. There is a lot going on in this album and for those who like one thing -- but a lot of it -- they may be a tad confused.

But, to me, this album just screams "genius" and the diversity and depth of "Welder" add to its beauty. There are fun upbeat songs like "El Camino" and "Yes to Booty" and hauntingly beautiful ballads like "Heroin Addict Sister" and "Til Then", plus some honky tonkin' foot tappers and and tear jerkers, too.

An amazing album. Honestly it is.

Elizabeth Cook is one of my favorite artists. I'm biased, 'cause I know her, but I don't feel as if I'm being prejudicial when I say she really is one of the best artists in Nashville.

I doubt there are too many boys who've ever met Elizabeth who didn't think "now there is a woman"; by the same token, I doubt there will be many who listen to this album who don't also think "this album is something special."

There is a also something masterful in the way this album flows. I know she had a big-time producer, Don Was, and was backed by people like Buddy Miller and Dwight Yoakam, as well as her husband Tim Carroll (a great guitarist) and Rodney Crowell, who produced "Balls" -- but this album, to me, screams Elizabeth Cook !!

Elizabeth is an interesting woman -- kind of a throwback, in some ways -- elegant and beautiful and respectful but she is thoroughly "modern" too (an intelligent, self-aware, resourceful, stand on her own two feet multi-tasker). I think this album, like Elizabeth, is also both modern and a throwback to an earlier time.

"Welder" melds many different sounds and emotions into a beautiful musical tapestry. I am not a professional musician, nor a professional reviewer. I don't know all the ins and outs of the instruments, nor who influenced who.

But I do know this. "Welder" has soul -- and it's real. I think it is an amazing album and I think, honestly, that you may feel the same as me if you give it a listen.

She has a song "Yes to Booty" that basically says this; don't get drunk and expect to be gettin' any. It reminds me of an old Loretta Lynn song (that I also love) "Don't come home a drinkin' with lovin' on your mind!".

I personally think a few giant posters of Elizabeth Cook flashed on the wall with this song played over and over would cure a lot of alcoholics !! One of my favorite songs on the album.

The final track, "Til Then", is an achingly beautiful piece that reminds me, for some reason, of Janis Ian. "El Camino" funny funny funny but a rocker, too. Another song in heavy rotation yesterday.

But my favorite song on the album (so far; that could change) is "Heroin Addict Sister". I loved this album; it speaks to my heart. That, to me, is what music, when it's done right, does best.

Elizabeth Cook has the all the right parts to be a BIG hit on Music Row -- beautiful voice, great lyrics, hott blonde drop dead stop you in your tracks beautiful -- but she is true to her self. There is something special in doing it your own way and this album is beautiful and true in its depth and diversity.

"Welder" is a wonderful album. I loved it . . . and, most importantly, I ain't done listening to it yet, either !!

For more info about Elizabeth, please check out http://www.elizabeth-cook.com/