Lake Placid 3 Calma Apparente (2010) [unrated]

Known for their impeccable and authentic gypsy-jazz playing, The Cook Trio has delighted audiences through-out the U.S. This wonderfully talented group romps through traditional Parisian Waltzes, Jazz Standards and Modern Pieces with style and virtuosity. The sound of these acoustic guitars and bass, invites listeners on a journey to the romantic cafes of Paris and the Gypsy camps where guitar is the language of life. Two guitars and a standup bass are all that’s needed to produce the haunting and beautiful sounds of The Cook Trio. Brothers Ian and Jason Cook along with Kyle Jones demonstrate an artistry that calls back to Django Reinhardt and looks forward to nights in Paris and days in the hot Florida sun. The trio is by turns explosive and serene, and you won’t believe how fast Jason Cook’s fingers can move, or how deeply you’ll be moved.

Despite showing a passport not so common in the genre, turkish band Nemrud develops an anglo-saxon type of Progressive rock, of the highest quality. One might even be reminded of Eloy's "Ocean" opus… This is no surprise then to learn that the leader Mert Gocay is a close friend of Frank Bornemann! "Journey Of The Shaman" (Musea Parallèle, 2010) is a first concept-album divided in three parts: "The Ground", "Underground", "The Sky". Here's the initiatic journey of the shaman, who needs to go underground first, to be able to eventually reach the Sky. This rock symphony is mainly instrumental, as the lyrics are often used in a spoken and meditative way. It's a very sophisticated music, based on Seventies sounds but with an excellent production…

Tony Joe White's albums from the 1990's are all more stripped down and blues-oriented than his more well-known material from his "Polk Salad Annie"/"Rainy Night In Georgia" heyday. But although blues has been his main idiom for the past decade or so, "Lake Placid Blues" is mainly distinguished by two of the finest rockers of White's career, the title track and "The Beach Life". This set also includes "Let The Healing Begin", which had been covered to fine effect by Joe Cocker, but I like Cocker's version much better. Other highlights include "Louisiana Rain", "Down Again", and "The Guitar Don't Lie". Another fine set by a woefully underappreciated talent.