Bell X1 fans will be familiar with Cooke – he contributed vocals to their ‘Flame’ single and tours regularly with them (the band’s Dave Geraghty returns the favour here, appearing on guitar and backing vocals). The 25-year old Meath man is a tireless live performer and this follow-up to his 2005 debut Wax & Seal was recorded on his ingenious Living Room Tour, during which he played at private homes throughout Ireland.
Performed in front of 30 people who squeezed into a Dublin living-room, this is a mighty, warts and all session, complete with background noises such the clinking of glasses and the thumping of feet. Not that this gets in the way of anyone having a good time. While Cooke lacks a truly distinctive vocal style, he wins the listener over through the sheer enthusiasm of his performance, while his literate lyrics, recalling similarly inclined artists as Paul Simon and Steve Forbert, keep the interest high on his best songs, such as ‘George’s Street Arcade’, ‘Like A Stone’ and ‘Roadmap’. He more than proves his worth – the audience responds with enthusiastic applause.