LIGHT DANCES ACROSS THE KEYS: 'Appalachia Borealis' Brings New Meditative Sequence From Phil Cook
latest album from Chippewa Valley native embodies artist’s relationship with the piano, grounding him through decades of personal change
The subtle stirrings of springtime accompanied my morning walk to the Volume One office, where the quiet melodies of birdsong and piano blended seamlessly with the Chippewa River's gentle current. The soundtrack to this serene scene was the newest release from multidisciplinary artist and Chippewa Valley native, Phil Cook.
Appalachia Borealis, Cook’s newest release, envelops listeners with a musical montage – a tribute to the shifts in the seasons – through a fusion of instrumental melodies, as described by Flaunt Magazine.
“Cook’s latest album sounds and reads like a love letter, one that prioritizes compassion, healing, unpredictability, and a devotion to his chosen instrument, the piano, which serves as the record's backbone,” Flaunt Magazine writes.
Initial previews shared earlier this year – in anticipation of the album’s March 21 release – offered each listener an intimate connection to Cook’s very own backyard symphony. Composed of warbling, the rushing of waterfalls, and strolls along the natural landscapes of North Carolina’s Piedmont region.
" 'Ambassador cathedral' is one of my favorites from the album. it contains a recording of cardinals from brian joseph's mixing studio in eau claire, WI."
Phil Cook
ON appalachia borealis
“Gorgeous, gentle, and soulful. Exactly what the world needs at this moment,” online user Julia White commented on the “Appalachia Borealis” visuals published to YouTube.
The essence of Appalachia Borealis instills an intention to “rise and meet the day as best one can, no matter how uncertain and strange the moment may seem,” a recent media release noted. This album acts as a soothing balm for the ever-changing seasons of life.
Appalachia Borealis opens with “Rise,” a spiritual awakening with exciting uncertainty to what the rest of the record's 11 meditative pieces will hold.
Like a meandering stream, Cook invites listeners through the twists and turns of this composition. The album awakens with scampering delight with “Running” and “Two Hands in My Pocket,” followed by quiet contemplations in “Wescott” and “Thrush Song.”
Cook said track No. 10, “Ambassador Cathedral,” has become a personal favorite. This piece, among others recorded in his Wisconsin hometown, feature the "cheer-cheer-cheer" of underground artists like the state's scarlet cardinal.
“(‘Ambassador Cathedral’) contains a recording of cardinals from Brian Joseph's mixing studio in Eau Claire, WI,” Cook said in a media release. “With the control room's sliding door open to the woods, we noticed the cardinals outside would sing when the music was playing and would stop when it ceased.”
The artist experimented with incorporating the recorded birdsong alongside piano composition. When the song was mixed, it felt natural to include the birdsong, acknowledging the avian artists that inspired the album's creation, he said.
With many other ebbs and flows in between, the album concludes with Cook’s ultimate acceptance of the environment around us through title track “Appalachia Borealis,” the media release states.
Cook's decades of experience spanning folk, rock, gospel, bluegrass, and beyond fueled his intention to push musical boundaries with his latest project. This lifelong pursuit of innovation has led Cook back to the piano, where he welcomed a world of creative possibilities.
The release of Appalachia Borealis will soon bring Cook back to his roots in the Midwest – and to the Chippewa Valley – with a live performance slated for May 1 at Eau Claire’s Masonic Temple.
Accompany your next outdoor retreat with Cook's Appalachia Borealis as your soundtrack and see what creatures of the forest join in the chorus around you.
To learn more about Phil Cook and see upcoming performance dates or purchase event tickets, visit philcookmusic.com.
