David Cook sells out Gramercy Theatre NYC 2-10-15

A win on American Idol, one of the most popular talent shows in the US, does not always guarantee success. Although in the case of seventh season winner David Cook, this impressive achievement was only the beginning of a burgeoning career. Raised in Missouri but born in Texas, Cook has had extreme highs and annihilating lows in the seven years since his win. After a record shattering eleven songs debuting on the Hot 100, fourteen songs debuting on the Billboard’s Digital Songs chart and two Top Twenty singles from his self titled, sophomoric album released November of 2008, the then twenty-six year old happily jumped into a successful, whirlwind cross country tour that left him feeling on top of the world.

This all came to a crashing halt when, on May 2, 2009, Cook’s brother, Adam, passed after a long battle with brain cancer. The following day, Cook ran and finished the “Race for Hope” 5K, earning one hundred thirty-six thousand dollars in donations for brain cancer research in honor of his older sibling. Since then, Cook has released another album, titled This Loud Morning, in 2011, and has spent countless hours and traveled thousands of miles to perform on USO Tours for soldiers in both Kuwait and Iraq. He kicked off his most recent tour this past January 2 in Sioux City, Iowa, that continued until March 6 in Denver, Colorado. His sold out, February 10th stop at the Gramercy Theatre in New York was one fans had been eagerly awaiting and braved the below average temperatures to see this award winning singer/songwriter at work.

Opening up the night was American Electronic Rock band Glint. Formed by actor and New York native Jase Blankfort in 2003, Glint is completely self-produced by manager Adam Jordan and has released four albums on their own label, Rely Records. Glint has worked with Harvey Leeds, Grammy award winning engineer Michael Brauer and multi-platinum producer Steve Osborne. Called “airtight and irresistible” by Billboard Magazine, Blankfort has taken Glint through the entire spectrum of genres and has had songs on the iTunes Discovery Download of the Week as well as live appearances on CBS, FOX TV and BBC. Helping build their name, Glint has even toured alongside both MGMT, The Airborne Toxic Event, and TV On the Radio.  Building excitement, the native New Yorkers rocked the Gramercy in true anthemic fashion that had everyone’s attention. With Blankfort’s clear, high voiced crooning matched with the tingling synth on songs such as “Boys Of The Stars,” “Daydreamers,” “Debts and Collections” and “Man vs. Man.” Closing out the set with “Something More,” Glint’s calm, relaxed manner paved the way for headliner Cook. Fans of atmosphere, ambient, artistic electronic music need to check out Glint.

With fans buzzing on the floor and leaning against the barricade in preparation for Cook, everyone was aware that Yahoo Live was in fact on hand to record the concert, which can be streamed on Yahoo’s Live Nation channel. Opening with “Paper Heart,” Cook had the audience in the palm of his hand from the very first note. The Midwest native expressed his enthusiasm to be back in New York again, admitting that he had even had the date of the show circled on his calendar. Attentive to the audience, when someone in the crowd called out “Freebird!” the chuckling Cook actually played the first few bars of the Lynyrd Skynyrd hit as a joke. The singer/songwriter wasted no more time though, and filled his nearly ninety minute show with favorites such as “Declaration,” “I Did It For You,” “The Last Goodbye,” “Heroes,” “I’m Gonna Love You,” “Kiss and Tell,” and Top 15 Adult Contemporary charted “Come Back To Me.”

With blue light illuminating from the backdrop, Cook showed sincere emotion as he continued on singing new singles “Laying Me Low” and “Fade Into Me,” followed by “The Time Of My Life,” the song which made him famous that he sidestepped for many years after it hit the charts. Having people singing along and enjoying every minute of his thoughtful performance, everyone soon forgot they were being recorded for millions to be seen via the Internet and were immersed in the performance. Cook even mixed in a unique covered of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” in a more rock, less dance tempo that was captivating, adding a new twist to the classic. Cook then moved into 2008’s “Light On” and another new single titled “Wait For Me,” where the cheers and screams of the New York audience were amplified and dense before the set concluded with the upbeat “Eyes on You.”

Fans rejoiced at a chance to see their favorite American Idol contestant live and nearly squealed with joy over the hints of a new album. Cook’s talents precede the popular television show and he deserves vast recognition in the modern Pop Rock world.  Singing and playing guitar and piano with ease, Cook is a great entertainer with a delightful personality to engage audiences. As fans filed out of the Gramercy Theatre and into the bitter cold, they left red faced and happy, full of excited adrenaline after a night they will not soon forget. Although the tour is now officially over, fans will have their eyes peeled, waiting for something new and exciting from this astounding musician.