Teresa Eggertsen Cooke, hailing from Park City, Utah, has been a musician most of her life. Her journey as a performer began during her high school days, and since then, she has been captivating audiences with her live performances.
Her musical style encompasses a fusion of jazz, Americana and rock, resulting in a diverse repertoire during her live shows. In the year 2016, Cooke collaborated with Janet Holroyd and the late, extraordinary Andy Jackson to release her inaugural solo album, titled Fooled Again.
During the period from 2014 to 2017, she held the prestigious position of being an artist in residence at The Metropolitan Room in NYC, while also presenting remarkable shows at renowned venues like the Triad Theater in NYC, The Gardenia Club and the E Spot Lounge in Los Angeles. Cooke’s true talent lies in her ability to enchant audiences with her dynamic vocal prowess and piano skills, making her live performances a true delight. She particularly enjoys engaging with the audience and creating an interactive experience during her shows.
“Big Dreams” initiates a wave of positivity and vitality, radiating hope and enthusiasm through its uplifting composition. This spirited song is designed to lift spirits, making it an ideal choice for those in need of a mood boost. Cooke’s commanding and powerful voice adds an extra layer of depth, effortlessly captivating listeners and garnering appreciation for its sheer prowess.
With its grandeur and sweeping sound, “Circle” carries an epic quality that evokes images of a film’s end credits. The title track, “Fooled Again,” takes a surprising yet delightful turn, adopting a jazzy and buoyant vibe. The smoothness of the overall arrangement, particularly the harmonious horns, is truly captivating. Cooke’s vocal performance shines brightly, as they flawlessly navigate the song, delivering a knockout performance. The unexpected but refreshing change of pace adds further depth and diversity to the album.
“Here’s To The Morning” strikes a somber tone, yet its heartfelt lyrics and introspective nature provoke deep contemplation. Surprisingly, the song retains a sense of motivation, inspiring listeners despite its melancholic atmosphere. Following it is “The Water Is Wide,” a melancholy piece primarily driven by piano, orchestral strings, and emotive vocals. This minimalist arrangement allows the raw emotions conveyed through the lyrics to take center stage, enveloping listeners in a poignant experience.
The energy takes a turn for the lively on “A Tisket a Tasket” which is playful and fun. What a great tune. I also enjoyed “Winds of Change” and “Yesterday’s Love.”Last up is “The Last Day” which is mid-level energy that felt like a fine closer.
Cooke is an incredible talent. I thought this was the album where you can just hit play and let it ride. There’s also this sense that there was a lot of thought put into the sequential order of these songs. It’s cohesive and I found the songs easy to connect with. What’s even cooler is the songs got more powerful with repeated listens. So my advice here would be to not spin this album once. It’s like wine, it gets better with age. Take your time with this one and open your ears and it will provide frequencies you want to hear. This album came out quite some time ago so I hope to hear more soon. If it’s even half as good as this one I will be listening over and over again.
Heather Savage
