Search - Mike Pope :: The Lay of the Land

Mike Pope
The Lay of the Land
Genres: Jazz, Pop

Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
1. The First Order of Business
2. Essence
3. At Home Again
4. The Lay of the Land
5. Cherokee
6. Climate
7. The Avid Listener
8. The Way You Look Tonight
9. The Star Spangled Banner

CD Details

All Artists: Mike Pope
Title: The Lay of the Land
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Whaling City Sound
Original Release Date: 1/1/2003
Release Date: 1/1/2003
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 687606001725

Synopsis

Album Description

? Pope?s cd is refreshing, complex and illustrative of his creative musical thinking and he proves to be equally adept on both the acoustic and electric bass. ? A high-energy straight-ahead post-fusion mainstream album of tireless innovations. ? Pope exhibits exact technique, melodic intuition that easily explains why he?s known in New York for his musical prowess. ? Michael Pope is an artist always playing in service of the music, utilizing his musical vision to illustrate the essence of music for his listeners. Selling Points ? The Lay of the Land features and all-star line up, including Henry Hey, Randy and Michael Brecker, Seamus Blake, John Locke, Jeff "Tain" Waits, Mike Stern and John Patitucci. ? Pope?s arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner evokes a beautifully warm feeling within listeners. ? Pope toured with Chick Corea?s Elektric Band in 2003

CD Reviews

Hot Jazz Licks

F. Hagan | Raleigh, North Carolina, USA | 10/08/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Straight jazz leaps out of this CD with crisp energy and breakneck licks. Mike Pope is a well-known jazz musician with a real gift for the acoustic and electric bass. "The Lay of the Land" showcases his talent by placing him in the center of multiple nouveau jazz masters, and effectively allows him to shine like a diamond of instrumentation.

You'd think that placing Pope among such luminaries as Seamus Blake, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Mike Stern, and both Randy and Michael Brecker would diminish his presence on an album meant to be focused on his work as a bassist. Such is not the case, because the energy and the subtle tempo shifts that issue from Mike's fingers create the vital heart beat of all of the works this album comprises.

Some of the more exciting pieces include "The First Order of Business," and the lengthy "The Lay of the Land." Each of these songs drives the spirit with activity and busy creative power, and Brecker has a lovely solo on "The Lay of the Land." Look forward to decidedly original interpretations of such perennial big band and jazz classics as "Cherokee" and "The Way You Look Tonight," both spun through the loom of hot jazz in small ensembles. Two of the moodier, slower pieces, "Essence," and "The Avid Listener" create a shift to pensive contemplation, without being overly dreamy or halting. One of the best originals crafted by Pope's subconscious would have to be the clean notes of "Climate," showcasing the bass player in a tight trio. There's a reticent new take on "The Star Spangled Banner," which seems strangely questioning and thoughtful on a standard that is often presented as self-assured.

Fans of hot jazz will find this to be a superb recording, excellent for the art show or wine tasting crowd to create an idea of energy and mood. This is not dance music by any means, but the sort of recordings that are used best to provide texture to a meaningful or creative experience. And texture is what bass players specialize in.

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