Kudos to Mike Meddings for his efforts and research on J. L. Cook.
I have long considered J. L. Cook a musical genius.  If one cares to
look at the piano keyboard while playing one of his rolls, it becomes
clear.

Cook's arrangements sounded natural, not strained, but yet had just the
right amount of orchestration without being overdone.  I can listen to
his music over and over, and it would never become tiresome or harsh on
the ears.  Not many arrangements can make that claim.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Cook, for he had passed away
when I was 13 years old.  When I had my first player piano, his rolls
stood out above all others.  Even my mother (who I could run out of the
house playing marimba arrangements, who and didn't care much for the
player piano -- she thought it sounded rather unnatural) didn't seem
to mind when I played his music.

Congratulations, Mike, and thank you for your efforts to find and
preserve this information.  It makes great reading.

Musically yours,
Andrew Taylor
Tempola Music Rolls