Cattle Dust & Leather - Review by - Deborah Minter - Capital News
Ashley combines with Bush Poet Joe Daley to write the title track Cattle Dust And Leather and with Bill Brummell on A Ringer in the making, both fine bush ballads. 2005 Golden Guitar Winner 71 year old Wave Jackson shows his songwriting skills with Ride Ringer Ride, Blue Queensland Dogs, When The Saddle Was His Throne, and Life On The Blacksoil Plains, all written or co-written by Wilf Elliott round out the collection. Ashley Cook may not have polished perfection of the high priced performers, but he and the LBS team have created an album of genuinely interesting Aussie music.
Cattle Dust & Leather - Wally Sparrow - Blues Country Book.
When I read the reviews on this album by Lindsay Bulter and Shaza Leigh, I knew it would be a good CD. Ashley grew up listening to Slim Dusty, and lives and works in the stockyards on his family properly at Thangool. He also performs at festivals and charity functions with his children, and shows what taken he possesses by becoming a Grand Finalist in the Australian Bush Balladeer Star quest in 2003/2004. A lovely collection of songs make up this album, including a duet with Ashley’s daughter Kimberley. There are more and more fans asking for traditional country bush ballads albums in the last few years, and here is your chance to listen to an up and coming bush balladeer in Ashley Cook.
Cattle Dust & Leather - Review from - Peter Coad. - (ABBA President)
I see Ashley Cook as a dedicated young balladeer presenting his music with commitment and direction and a rising star in the true Bush Ballad field. A Grand Finalist in the Australian Bush Ballad Star Quest in 2003-2004, Ashley I believe is destined to become one of Australia’s premier Bush Ballad Artists. “Cattle Dust And Leather” features a selections of songs telling the stories of our land and it’s people. Stories that also relate to Ashley’s own hands on bushman’s life style in the Queensland outback. Recorded under the masterful touch of producer Lindsay Butler of the LBS Studios Tamworth, “Cattle Dust And Leather” is a polished, professional product and one Ashley can be proud of.
Bush Balladeer Bulletin. Quote
Ashley has made quite an impact in a short time and is fast becoming one of the finest young balladeers on the circuit.
Shaza Leigh (Country Collection LBS Studios).
Ashley is the “Real Deal” he sings the songs about the live he loves and lives.
Ashley lives that daily on his Family Property “Scoria” at Thangool Central Queensland.
Lindsay Butler OAM ( LBS Studio’s Tamworth).
We believe this is one of those albums performed by a young man from Thangool in Central Queensland who grew up listening to the music of Slim Dusty, Ashley not only sings the songs about the bush life but lives that life working in the stockyards on his property. He is well qualified and genuinely knows all about “Cattle Dust & Leather”.