Large Fierce Mammal

L-R: Jesse Cook, Nicolas Hernandez, Chris Church, Rosendo “Chendy” Leon, and Dennis Mohammed (Source: http://www.jessecook.com (click to enbiggen))

Last Sunday evening, Mrs. LFM and I spent some exquisite hours soaking up the perfection that is Jesse Cook and his band of musical magicians, with the added spice of incomparable guest vocalist Emma-Lee. The tour is titled The Blue Guitar Sessions, and the venue was the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium at the Dalhousie Arts Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Last night, Mother LFM likewise attended a performance in Kitchener, Ontario. Like us, she was sensualized to the point of needing medication – fortunately, there was a bar at intermission.

Emma-Lee (Paul Steward photo – source: emma-lee.com. Click to enlarge)

As I lingered with my perfect Wife over coffee this morning, discussing her mother’s reactions to what she saw and heard last night in comparison to our own, we both concluded that, for our part, if we could only be at one musical performance in our lives, we could do no better than this. More, if by some wondrous quirk of fate, after a lifetime of learning of everything and everyone else that is out there, we were offered a second chance to choose, we’d say, “I’d like that first one again, thanks.”

We’ve appreciated Jesse Cook for years, but this was the first time we’ve experienced him in the flesh. Emma-Lee only came to our ken after Mrs. LFM acquired the latest Jesse Cook album, resulting in a viewing of the Lady’s website where we were delighted to learn she is as beautiful to look at as she is to listen to. Get both at once and even the most virile among us need a day to rest.

Chris Church (photo from Mr. Church’s website – click to enlarge)

Jesse Cook is a Force of Nature, and only another who’s cut of the same cloth can share the stage with him without fading into the background. There was no fading here. Let’s start naming names:

In the course of the performance, Halifax native Chris Church played violin, accordion, piano, and proved himself to be among the lesser gods of the Armenian Duduk, which all my readers will remember has been known since antiquity as a Tsiranapogh. The Duduk is a woodwind instrument with a haunting sound that you’ll recognize if you pay attention to the soundtracks of the movies you watch. Incredible, incredible artist. The good Mr. Church sings every bit as well as he plays his instruments.

Chendy Leon (Chendy Leon photo – click to enlarge)

Born in Havana, Cuba, Rosendo “Chendy” Leon is the percussionist/drummer. From start to end, Chendy made his influence felt using everything from a traditional drum setup to bongos, wooden boxes, a clay jar, and I’m not certain he didn’t use my skull at one point. The drum is a primal thing, and so, we think, is Chendy. Interesting to note, and with no offense intended to anyone else in this incredibly hot assemblage of talent, in a comment to Mother LFM today, Mrs. LFM commented, “… we were right in the center, 4th row in. Almost close enough to touch. And when Chendy was in front, it was tempting!”

Nicolas Hernandez (Nicolas Hernandez photo – click to enlarge)

Flamenco trained guitarist Nicolas Hernandez is a justifiably celebrated artist in his own right. Jesse Cook is married to a flamenco dancer, and the flamenco flavour of his music is wonderfully seasoned by the presence of Mr. Hernandez. As they say in the likewise primal world of food and drink – a perfect pairing.

Yoser Rodriguez (Yoser Rodriguez photo – click to enlarge)

Bass player Dennis Mohammed had not linked up with the Jesse Cook posse in time for the Halifax performance. The super powered Yoser Rodríguez was there in his stead, doing the deed the way it needs to be done. I somehow missed why – something lost between the music and She Who Snuggled Next to Me – but Jesse Cook explained how Yoser was brought in at the last minute and ended up learning everything he needed to know about the tour in the span of 24 hours. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Rodríguez can justly lay claim to the title of Super Hero, and I will personally refrain from wearing a hat, weather notwithstanding, for the next 24 hours, just in his honour.

My Esteemed Father in Law, Ryszard Kleszczynski, aficionado of the guitar that he was, would have loved this concert, and the only thing about it that displeases me is that he was too busy being dead to be there. And to Mr. Jesse Cook, if you read this good Sir, let it be known that we have slightly met. I was the guy in Halifax last Sunday night, sitting four rows back almost in front of you, who was the only one to admit to having gotten lucky during the intermission. In truth, I got lucky eleven years ago, and it’s never run out.

I’ll end this with a small sampler that I hope will give you sufficient insight to send you forth to buy everything every one of these Artists has ever done, or ever will do, and to buy tickets to the next Jesse Cook concert near you.

First up, Mario Takes a Walk:

Next, Dance of Spring (Live at the Metropolis) viewable here.

A behind the scenes introduction to the posse:

From the latest album, Jesse Cook with the spectacular Emma-Lee, I Put a Spell On You:

Emma-Lee’s vibe in person far transcends what even her beautifully crafted music videos can present. All that and she’s a professional photographer too! One of the songs she opened the show with needs to be included in the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s next movie, and while the following video doesn’t feature her spectacular whistling skills as in the concert, as a fair to middlin’ whistler coming from a long line of whistin’ fools myself, I can tell you, that girl’s got some lips on her! Here’s Not Coming By:

If all this doesn’t convince you to go and buy anything these Artists are associated with, it’s probably because you’re deaf, and our hearts go out to you.

An unreserved LFM stamp of approval all around!