Sterling Cooke
Above And Beyond
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
Here's a very clean guitar instrumental 11-song tape with some skilled and competent playing. Showing a penchant for diversity, Sterling shows he would do well in a band situation. He shows his funkiness in "Walkin' Shoes," and his hard blues rock influence in "Fred Zeplin" (a hot "Still of the Night" like tune named after a guy who hit his truck on the way to a gig) and "Rainbow Bridge." The best moments come in the melodic pieces "Greenpeace," "Reflections," and the title track, where Sterling lets his guitar sing. The only downer is his cover of "Frankenstein." I figure, if you're gonna cover a classic, go one up on it. This performance recalls the greatness of the original without surpassing it. The "Whole Lotta Love" solo is thrown in for good measure, but the drum machine doesn't deliver the goods.
Overall, though, these nice sonics and good songs make Above And Beyond a good listen.