‘Townie Ramble On’ (TRO) by The Cope Street Parade is Eastside Radio’s album of the week.
Last week we brought you an Australian artist for our featured album as we dived into Sarah McKenzie’s latest album ‘Paris in the Rain’ well this week we bring you yet another home grown act this time hailing from Sydney. Bringing us lots of energy and technique is Sydney based contemporary trad-gypsy-swing band The Cope Street Parade and when I say lots of energy this music ensemble will have you tapping your feet in no time.
The four core members of the group are Justin Fermion on saxophone, Aaron Flower and Ben Panuzci on guitars and Sam Dobson on double bass. Having only formed in 2009 they have released a total of nine albums which form quite a collection so far for these fun loving talented musicians. It was only back in December that the guys were in here at the station having a chat about this new album days before they released it in the Seymour Centre. Throughout this latest piece of work by the band we also hear from some other featured artists including Peter Horsfall (UK), Brian Campeau (Rescue Ships, Green Mohair Suits) and Meklit Kibret (Urthboy, Sampa the Great). With all this talent on board for vocals and with the ensembles’ original energetic sounds it makes for some really enjoyable listening.
The ensemble are definitely one of a kind as their sound brings us to a world where New Orleans jazz melds with a gypsy swing attitude. With unique song writing that spans the genres of folk, pop, gypsy and swing we are given a really original happy toned performance. For more then seven years these guys have been energising clubs and pubs all over the place. You may have even come across their sound before has they have appeared at numerous events like the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, Sydney Festival, Bellingen Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival and Jazzgroove Summer Festival. If the festival circuit wasn’t enough, following a gruelling touring schedual promoting TRO to close out thier year, they hit the ground running in 2017 having already played their first show at Glebe’s iconic ‘Mr. Falcon’s’.
The album’s opening track ‘Baby Doll’, is a real smooth number offering some inspired lyricism set against the backdrop of an acoutic guitar. The album’s title track kicks off with a real swing tone to it with Fermion doing a super job on the sax that will get you in mood to stand up and dance the night away. A track that turns down the pace a bit is ‘Tomorrow’ with some great vocals it is a perfect song to put mid-way throughout the album to break up the energy and give the album a breather.
The energy this ensemble give off is electric not to mention the talent and love for jazz these guys have that makes their sound so original. Making a genre and style of their own is The Cope Street Parade, from the early days of starting out in Redfern (hence the name), this unique outfit are only gathering more and more momentum and global attention and with this latest release ‘Townie Ramble On’ you can be sure things are only on the up.
Track Listing
1
Baby Doll
2
Townie Ramble On
3
You Don’t Have to Promise the World to Me
4
Tomorrow
5
Dream Come True
6
The Reason Why
7
The Cope Street Parade
8
Cookin’ With Mr
Artist Listing
Justin Fermion on saxophone
Aaron Flower and Ben Panucci on guitars
Sam Dobson on double bass
Guest Singers
Peter Horsfall
Brian Campeau
Meklit Kibret
You can follow The Cope Street Parade here or via thier FACEBOOK page. For an extended listen to the album, tune in on Thursday from 1.30PM – 2PM for ‘Album of the Week’ with Josh Crosbie. Don’t forget to also listen out for your opportunity to win a copy of ‘Townie Ramble On’ all week. You must be a supporter to win so make sure to sign up here. You can also stream the station here.
