Chattahippie Music Festival

Elizabeth Cook

February 16, 2008 By: admin Category: Performers

Elizabeth Cook
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Genres: Americana, Country
Website: www.elizabeth-cook.com

In contemporary country music, it’s a rare performer who will dare to take on the industry on her own hogs-and-kisses terms. But for the artist whom Nanci Griffith has called “this generation’s Loretta Lynn,” it takes a certain tenacity to meld smart attitude with classic tradition, the credibility of a life lived with genuine hillbilly passion, and the integrity to write an acclaimed cache of uncommonly cool songs. In other words, for Elizabeth Cook, it takes balls.

Elizabeth Cook
Balls is the bold declaration of an uncompromising artist unafraid to be exactly who she is. Produced by Rodney Crowell, 9 of the album’s 11 tracks are written or co-written by Elizabeth – including the brash anthem “Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman” – and the album stands defiant in its devotion to smiles, tears and sexy, sassy swagger. It’s a fiercely independent ride where shuffles, ballads and even the occasional juice harp can soar alongside an exquisite cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Sunday Morning.” Balls is, quite simply, Elizabeth Cook’s unabashed breakthrough. “I still can’t believe I got away with going into the studio and cutting these songs,” she says with a laugh, “I feel like I’ve just robbed a convenience store.”

“In an era of fabricated fame, Elizabeth is the real deal,” says Rodney Crowell, the legendary singer/songwriter whose work as producer has also included acclaimed records with Guy Clark, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Jim Lauderdale and five landmark albums with Roseanne Cash. “Elizabeth has a quirky Loretta sensibility that is positively poetic. She’s got that Emmylou quality that inspires those around her.

“If you mention Emmylou or Lucinda or Patty Griffin or other artists who have longevity, it’s because their work is based on recognition of their artistry,” says Rodney Crowell. “My hope for this album is that Elizabeth is recognized as the same kind of artist that deserves to be heard. She has something to add to it all.” And for the artist who dares to describe herself as “a girl with an affinity for vintage cocktail dresses but believes in baiting her own hook,” her new album is the twanged clarion of a bold new stage in an already fearless career. “I write what I love,” says Elizabeth, “And I love to communicate what I write. Most of all, I write to help heal myself. Music has traditionally helped people feel better and gotten them through hard times. With this album, I want people to feel like they got a laugh and got a cry. I want people to feel understood, if only for a few minutes.” Because for Elizabeth Cook, having Balls is just the beginning.