Customer Reviews

Copperopolis (Dig)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're a fan (like me at least) you want to hear the Charlie Hunter Trio you know but you also want to hear something new. This CD is decidedly more electric and very, very funky. "Blue Shoe" is my favorite tune-it's got a head-bobbing groove and kind of reminds me of Hunter's stuff with go-go beats because it's not aggressive but it definitely makes you want to move. Like the other Hunter CDs, this one has a performance quality so it holds together well end-to-end. I highly recommend it. My one small issue is that like the other CDs there are no liner notes to speak of. If you are old school from the days of buying vinyl, no liner notes continues to be a let down.

This CD is a must! Charlie and the trio keep growing as musicians with each new release. Last spring I had the opportunity to catch a couple of performances while they had a short residency at Preservation Hall during Jazzfest. Those performances were of a very differnt trio. Hunter was using more distortion than usual and Ellis was playing a Wurlitzer in many songs. The trio was in rare form; they were controlled yet still rocked the house! Their cover of 'Think Of One' alone was worth the price of admission. Little did I know that those performances were essentially the rehearsals for this recording. If you have ever enjoyed any of Hunter's recordings then do yourself a favor an get this one. It will be like listening to him for the first time...

Solid progressive jazz album. There is no doubt that Charlie Hunter is a great palyer and with this album you deffinatly hear a range of influences from rock, blues and a dash of country. Charlie's work on "Copperopolis" shows how progressive he is by making a trio sound like a big band. The songs are long and very complex, which keep sit interesting all the way to the end. This album sets the stage for his next album "Mistico". Recommended tracks: Frontman, Blue Sock, Cueball Bobbin', Drop the rock.

This album and the Trio are at a peak! Jazz reviewers rave about this album and with good reason. Hunter, Ellis and Phillips have pooled together their talents and created something fresh and vibrant.

I saw them last night in NYC and they were alive with all the things that make great music. Charlie Hunter used his ingenious eight string guitar to lay down some unbelievable licks. The sound he is able to produce on his specially made instrument go beyond anything you'll find done by other musicians.

Derreck Phillips played the drums with one hand, shook a tambourine in the other, never missed a beat and sounded like he was playing with both! I had never seen anything like it!

John Ellis and his talent on multiple instruments brought an extra dimension to the group. He is a truly original artist playing the Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Organ and his most unusal instrument, the Melodica. Together this trio is more than awesome.

This CD is a must for anyone even remotely interested in jazz music. It has elements of jazz, blues, funk and even more! It rocks! See them live if you can - you'll never forget it!

I'm a huge fan of Charlie Hunter. I've seen him live 3 times, and own just about all of his CD's. He's a great musician and i really respect him

Copperopolis fell short for me. It doesn't seem like it was well thought out. Seems as though the band just walked into the studio, jammed a bit...and that's what the CD is. WHile i think a few songs are pretty good, over all this one doesn't measure up to my standards in CH's music.

It does seem that he's putting out a lot of new records each year, which is a good thing, but i think if he could spend some more time developing the albums, rather than just having a quick turnaround, it'd result in a better product.

I'd lvoe for him to do another album like Songs From teh Analog Playground again. I still have that one in my rotation.

Keep on playin Charlie!!!

"Copperopolis" by Charlie Hunter is yet another good solid outing from the jazz guitarist's trio.

The music here is very hip and cool. The music is upbeat for the most part. It's good driving jazz.

Charlie Hunter sounds like the Jimi Hendrix of jazz guitar at times. The amount of sounds that the trio produces is very impressive.

Overall it's really good music. There are only a few songs that don't work for me.

Charlie Hunter consistently puts out good (occasionally great) albums. This one's good.

I have to agree with another reviewer here that Copperopolis lacks the attention to composition that the majority of his previous releases have possessed. If this were a live release, it would be a suitable representation of Charlie and the band's improvisation skills, not to mention their ability to crank it up and rock. But, the jams really don't gel for me. Another issue with Copperopolis is the sound quality. This is far and away the most poorly recorded release from Charlie. Good performances can always overcome mediocre recording, but the combination of unfocused playing and murky sound make Copperopolis Charlie's weakest CD. Having finished slagging this one, let me say that I'll go right out and buy Charlie's next release. Charlie Hunter remains one of far too few adventurous and engaging contemporary jazz artists making music for the head and heart as well as for the groove.

PS check out Charlie's CD "Charlie Hunter" (Blue Note) for superb arrangements, fiery performances, and a sparkling recording that puts the listener right next to the band.

Hunter fans should definitely pick this up. Like all of his albums, his live sound is very nicely captured on this disk. I must say that, although I am a big fan of John Ellis on the sax and clarinet etc., I don't much care for him on keys. Besides getting stuck with the electric piano blocking my view the last time I saw them live, I think Ellis should stick with his stronger talents. Otherwise, this album is a must, especially for fans. If your new to Charlie Hunter, I'd check out "Friends Seen and Unseen" or "Right Now Move."