CD Reviews

Mark Copeland with The Pat Longo Orchestra
The Bakery Session

CD PICK OF THE MONTH
Johnny Adams - "And All That Jazz" on KNRY radio, Monterey, California
(as written in The Monterey County Post)

There is an innocent and appealing thread of melancholy throughout this release.   It is this quality, together with his tooled lyricism, that makes Mark Copeland a voice to be acknowledged.  There is a God-like sent Frank Sinatra quality in his approach to seven standard songs from "At Long Last Love" to "Can't We Be Friends".  This is commercial music at its sophisticated best.   Copeland's interpretations are all one could wish for.  For example, he infuses "Our Love Is Here To Stay" with a simplicity achieved by Mr. Sinatra's recording, yet without relinquishing his own personality.  to complete the circle of aptness, the Pat Longo Orchestra conducted by Jack Feierman with arrangements by Nelson Riddle with Lon Norman are just in the right vein for Mark.  Everything swings, and the band sounds alive and interested when it drives into a full-bodied ensemble passage.

If you ever wondered what happened to good music, bend an ear and listen to Mark Copeland with the Pat Longo Orchestra.  You'll find it on Spot Records.


Mark Copeland
Zing
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CD PICK OF THE WEEK
Johnny Adams - "And All That Jazz" on KNRY radio, Monterey, California
(as written in The Monterey County Post)

This is Mark Copeland's second release, his first release was Mark Copeland with The Pat Longo Orchestra, entitled The Bakery Session.  Copeland is one of the better vocalists to come along in the last several years.  Like many other young vocalists, he has been influenced by his lifetime commitment to good music and his precise diction suggests sophisticated stylists like Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett.  Mr. Copeland's lusty, open personality comes across brilliantly on this release.  The naturalness and ease of these ten selections such as "She's Funny That Way", and "I'll Be Seeing You" can be attributed to Copeland's spontaneity as a performer, never falling below the level of competence in his recording work.  Pat Longo's band knows its way around a valid, swinging performance and Jack Feierman conducts the performances with high degree.

When I reviewed Mark's first release I said that there was an innocent and appealing thread of melancholy throughout the release  Well, it just got better.   Listening to Copeland is always a rewarding experience, and there are moments in this release (Spot Records) that confirm the fact that he is an integral part of the musical spectrum.  This music is the true sense of the word. 


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