This veteran song poet is a self-contained road warrior--a man of many tunes and tunings, and a right hand few guitarists will ever know. Sharp eyes in the head on his shoulders, a droll sense of humor and the weathered heart of a person who's spent a lot of his life on the road alone. His voice speaks to your center with its pure clarity, but then it breaks and soars like a bird that flies into a strong wind. His music is vital, and live you see him channel all his energy into the song. The songs are smart, but they come from his heart.
Although he's got a full band approach to acoustic guitar, he's known often to play in duo with Shake Russell who co-wrote the CD opener, "Step into the Light." At least on the last two records he's also found a great partner in multi-instrumentalist producer Richard McLaurin. (See our review of Harry Truman Built a Road.)
Speaking of partners, Linda Marks did her usual elevated job on the CD design, and also co-wrote "Empty Glass." The only other co-write is with songsmith Michael Lille, the beautiful closer, "World of Hurt." Except for an original take on Woody Guthrie's "Pretty Boy Floyd," Dana wrote the rest of the songs alone. He writes life songs more than love songs, but "Bird on the Wing" is a lovely exception.
Unless it's his own choice, I couldn't tell you why this incredible singer songwriter is not being pushed by one of several likely labels. He tours like hell, and is one of the most consistent writers and performers genre wide. He throws down every night. Even when it's in a rack, he can get hellacious things out of a harmonica, and there are some great harp tracks on this disc.
Several songs obliquely reference the post 9/11 world we're living in, but not from a soapbox. He and Michael Lille plaintively paint the story of a soldier
who
remembers his father
how he fought for peace on earth
just to live
in a world of hurt
Dana Cooper is a rare example of the real thing that's touring the country on a regular basis. Twenty-somethings who are lightweight versions of Van Morrison or James Taylor or the Nick Drake retreads, they're fine. But see Dana Cooper when he comes to your town. In the meantime, check our man out on the Listen page, and pick up a copy of Made of Mud.
Frank Goodman
Sounds Like
Made of Mud is made of melodies the instantly engaging kind difficult to find on the charts today. Cooper began making records more than 30 years ago, and he has clearly mastered the craft. - MSNBC
"Nashville-based Dana Cooper is at his folk-rock best on "Sit This One Out," one of 11 tracks from his new album, Made of Mud. Over an instantly memorable melody, he sings about taking a respite from the greedy, heartless and ultracommercial society that politicians have created. Much of the CD, Mr. Cooper's first solo project in eight years, deals with topical issues tackled from a humanistic point of view." -The Dallas Morning News
"He's firing on all cylinders as a songwriter on this splendid collection. McLaurin¹s production work throughout the album is terrifically rootsy and organic." - Music Row Magazine
"After three decades, this artist is still hitting his stride. Made of Mud is destined to be Cooper's classic." - South Florida Entertainment News
"Idealism and optimism are the two main themes epitomized in singer/songwriter Dana Coopers latest project Made of Mud. A celebrated, experienced performer who began performing in the early 70sCooper sings with passion and authority about subjects ranging from politics to religion and love on such songs as "Sit This One Out," and "Step Into the Light," and said his main goal was emphasizing things that unite people rather than separate them." - The City Paper
"This veteran song poet is a self-contained road warrior--a man of many tunes and tunings, and a right hand few guitarists will ever know. Sharp eyes in the head on his shoulders, a droll sense of humor and the weathered heart of a person who's spent a lot of his life on the road alone. Dana Cooper is a rare example of the real thing that's touring the country on a regular basis." - Pure Music
"Dana Cooper is a gentle philosopher negotiating rough times, seeking a better world and is a quality pop-folk singer and songwriter." - Buddy Weekly
"Cooper's ingenious guitar work and gutsy harmonica continue to augment his passionate voice and insightful lyrics. Over the years Dana has released many solo albums including the critically acclaimed Miracle Mile on Compass Records. This album was nominated for a Nashville Music Award as "Best Pop Album" and was picked by Performing Songwriter Magazine as one of the top twelve DIY recordings for the year. Cooper's last CD, Harry Truman Built a Road, was named one of the best records of 2002 by The Tennessean in Nashville and was again chosen as one of the top twelve DIY recordings for that year." - Austin American Statesman
"Blessed with a warm, lovely voice and far more guitar chops than your typical folkie, hes a great live performer, and his arrangements, which feature odd time signatures, unusual chord voicings and extra measures, will keep you on your toes." - The Nashville Scene
"a masterful studio collectionThe Beatlesque production throughout Made of Mud lends his songs the class and dignity that they richly deserve. That makes sense, since his powerful and pure voice has always been less ragged than those of his peers in the Texas singer/songwriter camp." - Discoveries
"Part of Cooper's secret is his relaxed, soft-focus voice. Reminiscent of Jules Shear, it coaxes fresh melodic charms from even Woody Guthrie's venerable Pretty Boy Floyd. Other highlights include three beautiful ballads and the Byrdsian rocker Sit This One Out, a plea for peace and quiet. The understated, guitar-based arrangements are nicely embellished with the occasional lap steel, harmonica or flugelhorn." - Macleans
The Greeks believed Prometheus molded humankind out of mud. In the Bible's creation story, God formed Adam from the dust of the earth. Jewish legends tell of the Golem, an avenger and protector created from mud.
All these stories echo through the themes of Dana Cooper's new album, Made of Mud. In an age of division, Cooper's songs focus on what humans all have in common as symbolized by the earth beneath our feet, from whence we came and to which we shall return. Whether you're Howard Hughes or the guy in the gutter, says Cooper, we're all pretty much the same person.
Cooper has been honing his songcraft since his teenage years playing in the clubs and coffeehouses of Kansas City, Mo. Bypassing a college art scholarship to tour the country, he landed in Los Angeles and released his debut album in 1973. By 1978, he had relocated again to Texas, where he formed a duo with friend Shake Russell (the pair would release five albums together). Cooper moved to Nashville in 1988 and returned to his solo career, releasing critically acclaimed albums like the Nashville Music Award-nominated Miracle Mile and 2002's Harry Truman Built a Road, named one of the years best records by the Nashville Tennessean.
Cooper's new album crowns those accomplishments with a suite of songs that span the entirety of his career. The most recent, "Sit This One Out," was finished during recording sessions last year; the earliest, "Step Into the Light," was written with Russell in San Francisco three decades ago. "I wanted purposely to include some of these older songs," says Cooper. "I thought they fit what I'm doing now. It's funny how a song that old will still be so timely."
There is one unexpectedly timely tune on Made of Mud that Cooper didn't write: Woody Guthrie's "Pretty Boy Floyd." It's the first cover version Cooper has ever included on an album, although he's been performing it since his coffeehouse years in Missouri. "I thought some of the things that are going on now hearken back to the Depression, when there were outlaws in the country fighting against the banks and the big-money guys," he explains. "I see the time were in now as similar to that time in a lot of ways."
Despite such disparate origins, the 11 tracks on Made of Mud bring a broad range of human experience into focus with clarity, coherence and concision. "There are songs on there about mortality and immortality, politics and religion and love, the struggle of living, and the possibilities of how much we can accomplish," says Cooper. It's a journey through life, from song to song.
To bring that journey to life, Cooper has once again enlisted producer Richard McLaurin. The songs were recorded over several weeks in Nashville with a basic lineup of Cooper on guitar, bass player Dave Jacques, drummer Paul Griffith and McLaurin playing guitar, keyboards and mandolin, among other instruments. "Recording hinges so much on who you're working with, and I'm really comfortable with Richard McLaurin," says Cooper. "As a producer, an arranger and a musician, he creates such a great environment. It's all about the feeling of the song with him, and I like that."
That feeling comes through loud and clear on Made of Mud. "I just want to make great records that appeal to people's emotions, and speak to their life experience," Cooper concludes. "There's nothing better than when someone says, 'Man, when you write your songs, you say the things that I want to say.' That's what Im trying to do."
Ciao,Dana ,Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your music a lot,and your stupendous voice. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Sitting here at Bo's house in Hemse, Gotland, after a great retreat in Holmhäller. I just wanted to thank you for a great time in Copenhagen right up until I went to this retreat. It's always a pleasure and tons of fun to write with you :-)
Hey, It's Dave Clupper. If I haven't told you thank you for your support yet, thank you! Check out the video below for a live clip shot from Downtown Tulsa with my daughter Ellen. Also, stop by my profile and enjoy a majority of my new record "Letting Go" released earlier this month. If you want to own a copy, look for the Buy Now Button on my profile or to just own a track, visit iTunes by clicking here. Talk soon!
"You Can't change the world with your songs but you can inspire people." Dylan
Well, if that is how it is, you sure did that thing in Stockholm. You opened up a window & had me looking into another world. A world of fantastic ways of playing a guitar & singing songs & telling stories while tuning the guitar & each story opened up a window of it's own. You have taken this thing so far, but not far away, more like the opposite I'd say, you're as close to your audience as an artist ever can get.
Hello Dana, Í..m really Happy to meet you in person in Augsburg Brauhaus 1516 Yesterday. The songs from You here on myspace are great. Best wihes Stefan
I truly enjoyed your concert at Berlin Guitars last Saturday, it was nothing but great! By the way, I looked up the songwriting credits for "Get Together" from the first Youngbloods album on RCA: it says neither Dino Valenti nor Jesse Colin Young, but indicates the name of Chet Powers. Is that an artist covername?
Its going to be a good show tonight in Berlin Guitars. I have alot of reservations. The most prominent music journalist in Berlin is going to be at the show. See you then.
Hello! Wanted to let you know that I recently finished a jazz record of standards with Kate Ceberano, and we've set up a Myspace page for the album. The record features Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, and Tom Warrington. I think you'll like it! Head on over to www.myspace.com/bittersweetalbum to check out a pre-release track...Thank you! p.s. first 100 pre-orders of the album get a signed copy! www.bittersweetthealbum.com
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