New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Steve Cooke Official Website) Americana /Country Rock artist Steve Cooke's latest album "Working for the USA" (W4USA) celebrated a win for "Best Album" at this years Malibu
Music Awards, with a live performance to a full house from Cooke and his band, in the infamous Malibu Inn.
The albums official release date coincided with the star studded ceremony, including such luminaries as county music legend
Glen Campbell and actress Jane Seymour.
Cooke's fabulous vocal range is evident all over this record, from the long notes in "Nothing matters" to the build up of the super high notes in "Live for the Moment" to the calm tranquility of the blended harmonies in his ballad "Best of friends". Great songs with mainstream adult contemporary appeal, back to the roots, a complete album with a cohesive theme.
The opening single "W4USA" was tracked in a church and at Neil Finns (Crowed House) Roundhead studio. Mixed by Marc De Sisto in Los Angles and mastered by multiple Grammy winner Gavin Lurssen in Hollywood. This work has a great sound and fidelity.
The warm analogue Rock tones on the remaining songs are attributed to the original tracking by drummer/engineer Phil Rudd (AC/DC), who laid down the rhythm section 'live' with the band onto two-inch tape in his "Mountain Studio".
The five, two-inch master reels, were then placed into the hands of mix and overdub guru Nigel Stone and finally mastered in Hollywood this month.
With influences of Americana and Southern California creeping in, this southern feeling music is sure to strike a cord with a lot of folks out there.
Cooke is not afraid to speak out or make passing references to 'God' in some of his songs. Influences in the lyrics, hark to Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. Musically and melody wise, feels of the Boss, John Mellencamp, with touches of John Bon Jovi, but over all quintessentially Cooke, refreshing and original.
