Posts tagged Citizen Cope
New Citizen Cope – The Rainwater LP
Feb 9th

The Rainwater LP, the new album from Citizen Cope is out digitally today ($3.99!). I’ve had a couple of spins through so far, and like what I’m hearing. This time around, Cope (Clarence Greenwood) focuses more on social justice, poverty, and world ills rather than matters of the heart – which is admirable in itself. But I do miss having a killer love song like “Sideways” or “More Than It Seems”, or the aching “D’Artagnan’s Theme”.
Some standouts for me so far: the reggae-soul infused “Off the Ground”, the funky bass line and accompanying synth-groove of “A Father’s Son”; and songs like “Keep Askin’”, “Lifeline” and “Healing Hands”, which showcase Cope’s forte – the laid back, no nonsense urban storyteller.
There’s definitely this type of formula building in Citizen Cope’s albums – but it’s a formula that works for him, and is unmistakably unique. Clarence Greenwood has a lot to say in his lyrics. There’s a lot about the world that bugs him, and he has a way of channeling his frustrations in a peaceful, subdued fusion of soul, R&B, and rock/pop sounds. But even with his laid back demeanor, you can still feel the passion, the power, and often the anger in his music. Citizen Cope has carved out his own niche in pop music, and The Rainwater LP is another solid collection of tunes to add to an already impressive discography.
Be sure to catch Citizen Cope live. As anyone who has seen him will attest, once you do, you’re hooked in.
- AOL Music is currently offering a full stream of the album.
- And even better, you can buy The Rainwater LP MP3 album for only $3.99 here on Amazon
. Awesome price. Grab it while you can.
Incoming: Gaslight Anthem, Citizen Cope
Aug 31st

My next two shows are in the books…
The Gaslight Anthem - September 15th – Martini Ranch, Scottsdale | I’m not crazy about the venue – right in the heart of Old Town Snottsdale – but for Brian Fallon and the boys of Gaslight Anthem, I will endure the surrounding douchery. They’re fresh off a summer festival season highlighted by a couple of guest appearances by fellow Jersey boy Bruce Springsteen, and hallelujah, they’re back in Arizona for their second appearance in 6 months. Bless you boys.
The Gaslight Anthem – Boomboxes and Dictionaries (mp3) | Official Site | Tour Dates

Citizen Cope – September 25th – Marquee Theater, Tempe | About as laid back of a stage presence as you’ll find, Citizen Cope brings the cool with a really unique mix of earthy soul & roots music. I really enjoyed my first Cope show in the same venue a year and a half ago. Part of what made it great was the presence of sexy soul songstress Alice Smith. I think she’s still tagging along with Cope – here’s hoping she’s part of it again.
Citizen Cope – Hurricane Waters (mp3) | Official Site | Tour Dates
Review: Citizen Cope with Alice Smith, Live at the Marquee Theater
Mar 30th

While a mass of humanity took in Fergie’s (disappointing? gasp!) set across Town Lake at the Tempe Music Festival, we smart ones were filing into the Marquee Theater to take in D.C. / Brooklyn artist Citizen Cope. It was billed on the venue’s web site as “an evening with no support”. But I was pleasantly surprised when a tall, slender female figure took the stage at 8:10 and tore the roof of the joint with a short four song set…
Citizen Cope – D’Artagnan’s Theme
Aug 23rd

I’ve been meaning to post this song for a while now. And it’s Michael’s great Alice Smith post that spurred me into action. Alice had been opening up for Citizen Cope on his recent tour.
Cope is the pseudonym of Clarence Greenwood, and I’ve been enjoying his last couple of albums – 2004’s The Clarence Greenwood Recordings and last year’s Every Waking Moment – for a while now. They truly surprise me, as they seem to get better and better the more I listen. It was one of those iTunes shuffle moments when this song came up, and made me stop what I was doing to enjoy the laid back, semi-sad vibe.
D’Artagnan refers to Charles de Batz-Castelmore, Comte d’Artagnan, one of the the fictionalized Three Musketeers. I can’t quite figure out who the protagonist is, but the lyrics evoke an outlaw type who has no time for the woman he’s singing to.
Well I don’t know how else to say it
In a different way
But why don’t you just fade away
‘Cause there’s a battle going on
Down south of Babylon
So why don’t you just fade away
The tune is a breeze on the acoustic guitar. C-F-G. Impress your family and friends!
This one comes from The Clarence Greenwood Recordings….
Citizen Cope – D’Artagnan’s Theme (mp3)
Buy: The Clarence Greenwood Recordings | Every Waking Moment
Citizen Cope’s Official Site
Citizen Cope: More than it Seems
Sep 30th

This tune is kicking me in the pants right now. Citizen Cope has that satisfying blend of soul and a rootsy acoustic vibe that I’m enjoying more and more with each listen. “More Than It Seems” just plain grooves, in a slow, pleading sort of way.
Memphis born, and reared in Texas and Washington DC, Cope now calls Brooklyn home. His third official release, Every Waking Moment, was just released on September 12th. Like many folks, “Sideways”, a Cope tune that Carlos Santana chose for his Shaman album a few years ago, first turned me on to the man. But whether you’ve heard of Citizen Cope or not, listen to this tune, and watch the video below. Like me, you may itch to hear more…
Citizen Cope: More Than It Seems (mp3) – from his Sept. 12th release, Every Waking Moment
Nice little vignette of Cope tunes and interview clips (in WMP high bandwidth)…..



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