Reviews
Here is what a few of the music industries people have to say about Richard Cooke, having been compared at times to 'Dylan', 'Sting' or Canada's 'Bruce Cockburn'.
'Bronius Zumeris (Beat Magazine)' - "Raw Spirit fits into the easy listening catagory of Fleetwood Mac with some Dylan and Lennon thrown in for good measure. Progressive Folk balladerring is not too far off the mark featuring strong harmonies and memorable melodies".
Frank Sablotny (Image Music) - "Crowded World" and "There is a River" are real gems.
Raw Spirit is a great album, well recorded, featuring nicely crafted songs and excellent
production values
*Simon Kain (Festival Records) "Thisese are very well presented CD's, which are extremely well arranged and recorded"
Peter Bugden (Tempo International) "I was really impressed with the production, content and musicianship demonstrated on this album" "I will be playing this album on my own radio show on 92.1RTR"
Monica O'Brien (Willow Connection) "These songs are like art-pieces allowing the listener to come in and explore the subtle messages behind each song". We are pleased to be representing and distributing 'Richard Cooke’s excellent material".
Paul Stewart (Hearld Sun) "I saw 'Richard Cooke' and his band at the 'Palais' and they kept the crowd captured throughout the whole show. His original songwriting kept the mixed bag of punters captivated!"
*Linda Bush (Attic Records -Toronto Canada) "Raw Spirit is really a lovely album and should mark the rise of a very successful career for Richard Cooke"
'Kate James (Alive Music) - "Richard's heartfelt lyrics and sheer joy in his music clearly shine, he possesses strong songwriting and performing skills, but even more than that, he has passion, enthusiasm and a distinctive unpretentious style'.
The new band 'Soul Stories' is the current manifestation of an ongoing musical journey featuring the original songwriting and music releases of Richard Cooke's music.
Soul Stories will be touring the East Coast of Australia through May 2016 taking in some of the best live music venues on the eastern seaboard.
Stay tuned for details about venues that will be part of the planned tour which will commence with a CD launch on the South Coast.
Tour Dates
Tour dates will be confirmed soon which will take in venues from the far south coast up the East Coast to Noosa in QLD.
Richard first found his feet in music production around the classic Melboune pub circuit in the late 80's performing in bands and doing live sound for other acts around town.
After studying Audio production at RMIT University he progressed from home 4 track 'reel to reel' recording to picking up session studio work in studios around the Sth East of Melbourne.
In 1993 he purchased a property in a rural setting on the Mornington Peninsula and established 'Raw Spirit Studios'.
Raw Spirit sucessfully operated as a full-time production studio for 15 years providing recording and visual media services to hundreds of clients until 2008.
Late in 2009 he started construction as an owner builder on his eco-dream home and studio where he and his wife Kim moved into the house in 2011 and continued construction of the studio which opened its doors for business at the start of 2013.
In 2014 the extra cottage/art studio was designed and constructed completing a process that covered 5 years.
Previous Clients
Clients of 'Sanctuary Sound' and 'Raw Spirit' Studios have included the likes of: Archie Roach, George Telek (Papua New Guinea), Xavier Rudd, Tiddas, David Bridie, Ems Lucisan (Phillipines), The Waifs, Collard Greens and Gravy', Phillip Day (UK), Chris Wilson, etc.