Proud Triangle transplants a decade ago, Phil and his brother Brad have made another delightful and lively album, simpler and less lead guitar-y than its predecessor but if there’s any justice in the music world, it will resonate with an eager public. That’s what People Are My Drug feels like.” His last album, Southland Mission, was my summer album a couple years ago-buoyant and blissful meditations on Phil’s world, like “1922” (very Southern and very soulful.) His new album continues that spirit but, as Phil says in an interview in the INDY, “I’ve got a chance now to show the world not what’s in my head, like I did on Southland Mission, but what’s in my community. He begins national tour dates in conjunction with People Are My Drug. I feel certain that it’s a packed house of people who love Phil’s sound and attitude. Holsapple: Tonight, I am missing Phil Cook’s record-release party at Cat’s Cradle, and I wish I could be there. Grab some beer and some pizza: It’s game day. Game Day (Omnivore) is a solo record in the truest sense of the word, as the dB’s co-founder pretty much did everything himself on the LP. Holsapple will being guest editing -for the second time-all week. He’s got natural soul.It makes sense that since Peter Holsapple has long been the go-to guy for musicians such as R.E.M., Hootie & The Blowfish, John Hiatt, Indigo Girls, the Troggs, Juliana Hatfield and too many others to name here that when he needed assistance on his first solo album in 21 years that he would turn to, well, himself. It’s easy to see why Cook is looked to as both a leader and collaborator. Besides Staples and the BBA, he has collaborated with Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. Additionally, Cook has his hands in several projects, including the psych-folk band Megafaun, and as a recording and touring member of Hiss Golden Messenger. His first solo effort, Hungry Mother Blues, was a low-key solo instrumental album based on Cook’s love for music of the Delta, Appalachia, and Bayou. If Cook is a new name for you, note that he previously authored the widely acclaimed solo album, Southland Mission. It’s delivered honestly, emotionally, and above all spiritually, tracing to Cook’s work with Mavis Staples and as Musical Director for The Blind Boys of Alabama.

The album was recorded in Cook’s home state of Wisconsin and recently adopted home state of North Carolina in a mere ten days. Cook wrote or co-wrote four the ten, collaborating with Meath (Sylvan Esso) on “Miles Away.” Of the other six, he notably covers Randy Newman’s “He Gives Us All His Love” and Allen Toussaint’s “Life,” using Richmond’s NO BS! Brass Band to give it the proper NOLA treatment.

Besides Waden and Brown, Amelia Meath, Molly Sable, and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig add backgrounds. The array of female voices often sounds like a choir with several tracks featuring as many as four or five of them. Cook dubbed his band the Guitarheels, comprised of drummer JT Bates, bassist Michael Libramento, and pianist James Wallace. The communal spirit of the album is apparent in the sound before you learn that his brother Brad Cook is the producer. Within my mortal body and experience, this music is my church.’’ The payoff when Mountain Man enter at the end of the double-time chant makes me cheer every time. Tamisha Waden and Chastity Brown’s vocal expressions are stunning.

Lyrically, it’s playful in a way I can get behind. The left-right bass lines get my feet stepping, whereas the drums channel by hip movements and weightless carefree melodies often coax my arms from my side to the sky. The informality proves engaging for Phil Cook’s People Are My Drug, a work that taps into Cook’s affection for NOLA rhythms and his drawing together many voices.Ībout the moving opening track, “Steampowered Blues,” Cook comments, “I’ve long been drawn to the swing and swagger of New Orleans’ step rhythms.

Phil Cook delivers the kind of informal gospel-flavored album you could easily associate with a southern church or simply a bunch of friends singing on a back porch.

Miles away phil cook