There is still a lot that is truly good about this country, despite the current efforts of fascists to destroy it all, and much of what is good is expressed in the music of this land - its stories, its people, its ideals (yes, those ideal still exist, at least in the hearts of many of its citizens), its dreams and goals. And when we listen to its music, we feel connected to its great tradition, its past. Marty Cooper, on his new album
American Portraits, revisits some of his well-known songs, songs that were recorded by other artists, songs that touch on the themes and personality of this country. Songs in the folk and country realms. Joining him on this special release are Don Richmond on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro, slide guitar, pedal steel, fiddle, bass, keyboards, accordion and backing vocals (holy moly, that's a lot of instruments); Mark Clark on drums and percussion; James Doyle on drums and marimba; Tracy Doyle on flute; David Geist on piano; Jimmy Stadler on piano; Matt Schildt on piano; Andy Byrd on organ; and Rick Cunha on guitar and backing vocals. Also joining him on vocals are Christy Cornelius, Wendy Newcomer, Eliza Gilkyson, Julie Merrick, Robin James, Herb Pedersen, Gloria Hargis, Janice Hubbard, Hillary Smith, Teri McCartney and Lincoln Wilde. There are also a few tracks that were previously released, and those tracks contain different musicians. The CD has some really nice packaging, like a small hardcover book, the pages containing the songs' lyrics, along with some thoughts on the songs.
The album opens with "Stephen," one of the tracks that was previously released. It was included on Marty Cooper's 1979 record
If You Were A Singer. "Stephen" was written in honor of Stephen Foster, the famous songwriter (he wrote "My Old Kentucky Home" and "Oh! Susanna") who was destitute at the end of his life. This track has a beautiful opening on vocals and guitar. "
You sold your songs for a penny, you were hungry." This is a moving song. "
But I can hear the banjos ringing round the fire," Marty sings, and we hear them too. That image stays with us. For me, that is one of those great images of the country, musicians around a fire. The song continues to grow, the backing vocals toward the end like angels receiving Stephen Foster in their arms. That's followed by another moving and touching song, "Their Roof Is The Sky," this one about the nation's homeless population and how they come from different backgrounds. "
American dreams, American dreamers/Where do they come from, where do they go?/In this beautiful country, how wrong it all seems/What will become of American dreams?" This song is delivered with concern and compassion, something we'd do well to pay attention to now, particularly here in Los Angeles where the problem seems to be leading to a hatred of the people rather than the situation. "
You who have money and plenty to eat/Why are you frightened of those on the street?/When you look in their faces, who do you see?/Everyday people just like you and me." No, the song does not address the mental health and drug addiction troubles that also contribute to the problem now. But it's a beautiful song.
"The Burlington Zephyr" is a more cheerful number, with a sense of optimism found in its subject, the song expressing an appreciation and respect for what people are able to accomplish. "
Here she comes," Marty tells us, that line leading into a good instrumental section. After that section, we learn the fate of this achievement, this train. "
Ah, but she's just a dream now/She's just a dream." Those final lines seem to speak not just of that train, but of much of this country. That's followed by "The Mississippi Blind Boy," a song about a blind street musician who was ignored by many, but not by one young boy. "
People often passed him by and never raised their heads/As if they feared some wisdom in the words the blind man said." Then part of the song is delivered from the perspective of that musician: "
Never let nobody know what you've got on your mind/Sing your song and move along just as if you were blind/And never let no fools possess the secrets of your soul/For the world can only rob you, it will never leave you whole." This song has a sweet, somewhat sad tone, featuring some nice work on violin. "
Sing me a story," Marty sings, and that is precisely what he is doing, not just here, but in much of his music.
There is some really great guitar work at the beginning of "(I'm A) Yo Yo Man," with a nice, bluesy tone. Then as the song kicks in, it takes on more of a country sound, maintaining a cool vibe. It's a fun song, and one that was recorded by Mason Williams, who included it on his 1971 album
Sharepickers. I could never master the yo yo, but I do recognize the names of the various tricks mentioned in this song. Then we get "The Ball Player." Baseball is the best sport, no question about it. And even though MLB seems determined to remove much of what makes the sport so special (by introducing the pitch clock, making a pitcher not have to throw the four pitches on an intentional walk, etc.), the sport maintains its appeal. But there are sad tales related to the game. "
No cheering voices, no popping of the lids/Doesn't anyone know there's a ballgame today/Don't you know there is a ballgame today." And the song contains an acknowledgement of the changes: "
I'm not sure what they're playing, but it ain't my game." That's followed by "The Oklahoma Wrangler," another good story song, a character song, this one about a man who is a cowboy who worked in rodeos and made his way to Hollywood, acting the part of a cowboy in films. There is a sweet sadness to this track, and it contains some nice work on pedal steel. "
I said, 'Boys, it seems that things are getting worse most every day/When there ain't no place for men like me and you/And the villains are the heroes now, the heroes are just fools/Ain't a one a kid could look up to.'" It's a song of things that have been lost, a time that is gone, but lives on in music.
"A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock 'N' Roll" is one of Marty Cooper's most well-known songs. Donny & Marie Osmond had a hit with it, though with changed lyrics. Here Marty Cooper delivers the original lyrics, which are much better. This song comes on with a wonderful country burst of energy, and contains good stuff on electric guitar. It is done as a duet with Wendy Newcomer. This is a cheerful song about those differences in a couple, and how those differences make them love each other more, not less, as their voices blending at the end surely demonstrate. This rendition is excellent. Forget the Osmonds, and enjoy this version. "In Santa Fe" is also a duet with Wendy Newcomer. There is a very different tone to this one, but just as much love. "
We both know we need to get away/And I just had the craziest thought, why don't we sell everything we've got/And begin again in Santa Fe." There is something so appealing in that, isn't there? Two people creating a new start, giving their dreams a chance. It's a beautiful song, featuring some wonderful work on guitar and mandolin. Then "The Indiana Girl" has a nice, pleasant folk sound. This is one of the songs that was previously released. It was included on Marty Cooper's 1972 album
A Minute Of Your Time. And Pat Boone also recorded it in the 1970s. "
There within I see the dim reflection/Of long forgotten dreams and summer skies." As it grows, the becomes more country, and I like that work on pedal steel. "
Sing, sing us a song of way back when."
"Cowboys And Daddies" is a song sung by a father to his young child, when having to take him back to his mother. Yes, it's a song of a divorced couple, and the relationship between father and son, and it might bring a tear or two to your eyes. "
Someday when you're older and the cowboy's all grown/You'll know how it hurts every time I take you home." Then "You Can't Be A Beacon (If Your Light Don't Shine)" begins with the chorus, the backing vocalists giving it a spiritual vibe, a rousing sound. This is a positive, uplifting number encouraging people to lead by example and calling out those who are hypocritical (something I imagine many people in this country won't hear). "Think Of The Children As Roses" also begins with Marty's voice supported by some gorgeous backing vocal work. "
Think of the children as roses/Fragile as flowers they live/When you help a child or a rose/You'll get back more than you give." Robin James joins him on lead vocals, singing "
How many faces have each of us seen/On bitter people, defeated and mean/They were once children with dreams of their own." "Think Of The Children As Roses" ends with this line: "
Love is what everyone needs." Simple and true, and something to keep in mind these days.
"The Biplane, Evermore" is a sweet children's song that has been covered by The Irish Rovers. This song was included on Marty Cooper's 2012 compilation
I Wrote A Song. "
And do not be discouraged by circumstance or size/Remember Evermore and set your sights up in the skies." "Little Bitty Ball" is also a children's song, opening with a spoken word introduction: "
This is a song about our very own special place, the Earth/You know, most of us think of it as being a very big place/But really it's not." And in this song, he sings, "
But I wonder why we have to hurt each other/When we're sisters and brothers every one." Indeed. We are causing great harm to each other and to this little bitty ball we're all on. That's followed by "Under Your Wing," a gentle, thoughtful number. To me, it's a song about how as we age, we need help again, perhaps from one special person. "
I've flown past my dreams, I've lost them in the wind/Maybe in your arms I could find them again/Let the sweet sheltering warmth of your nest/Give me hope, bring me peace, give me rest/I'm a bird, I've been wounded in flight." I suppose we're all wounded now in some way. This is a beautiful song, featuring good stuff on pedal steel and fiddle. Burl Ives recorded this one, and it was included on his 1993 album
The Magic Balladeer.
"The View From Ward Three (A Minute Of Your Time)" is one of the tracks that was previously released. It was included on
A Minute Of Your Time. At the start, it's about a songwriter at the beginning of his career, needing help. "
All I need is just a little start/And then I'm gonna tear this town apart/All I want is a minute of your time." And the song moves on from there, but still expressing that need, which perhaps never quite goes. "
All I want is a minute of your time." At the end, the line changes to "
All I wanted was a minute of your time." And we know that it is too late now. How many great voices were never heard because they weren't given a chance? That's one of the good things about the internet, allowing those people to reach an audience. This is a powerful number. Then Eliza Gilkyson and Rick Cunha join him on a beautiful rendition of "The Leaves," itself a beautiful song. "
Leaves of gold,we try to catch and hold/Save some time to live." Even that humming carries with it so much love and warmth and hope and meaning. This is a wonderful track.
"Little Play Soldiers" begins on drums, with a military vibe. Isn't it strange how kids play at war? Did they learn that, or is it something darker within our nature? "
Little play soldiers, if only you knew/What kind of battles are waiting for you." How will we ever move past this desire to fight each other? Is it possible? The track ends with that drum beat, signaling that it continues, the play and the real thing. This song was recorded by both The Kingston Trio and The Brothers Four. That's followed by "One More Time, Billy Brown," which also addresses the pointless, endless horror of war. The verses are delivered as spoken word, from a father to a son, first when the son is an infant, and then when he's 17. The song takes turns a sudden, dark turn, and is powerful in that sudden change. The son is killed in war, and the father is looking down at him one more time, this time not in a crib or on the football field, but in a coffin. This song wonders how much longer this sort of thing will happen. Ah, so do we all. This song was recorded by Burl Ives, who included it on his 1971 album
Time.
"
I'm a stranger in your town," Marty sings at the beginning of "A Stranger In Your Town." These days, once again, people are not welcoming to such strangers. This country is full of fear and hatred. "
I'm roaming around/And I'll never get home again." This is a really good folk song. "
I'm seeking truth and justice." Well, you won't find those things in Washington, D.C., or in many areas of this country, not now, and perhaps not anymore. The album concludes with "I Wrote A Song," another moving number, this one originally included on
A Minute Of Your Time. The first lines are "
I wrote a song, I called it John/Before I could sing it, he was gone." The second verse changes John to Martin, and I can't help but think of Dion's "Abraham, Martin And John." The third verse is for Bobby. Three people who were cut down so early, murdered. Then Marty sings, "
I have a song and I call it freedom/Now we'd better sing it before it's gone," the implication being that freedom could just as easily be killed. And we know today how true that is. This becomes a rousing number.
CD Track List- Stephen
- Their Roof Is The Sky
- The Burlington Zephyr
- The Mississippi Blind Boy
- (I'm A) Yo Yo Man
- The Ball Player
- The Oklahoma Wrangler
- A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock 'N' Roll
- In Santa Fe
- The Indiana Girl
- Cowboys And Daddies
- You Can't Be A Beacon (If Your Light Don't Shine)
- Think Of The Children As Roses
- The Biplane, Evermore
- Little Bitty Ball
- Under Your Wing
- The View From Ward Three (A Minute Of Your Time)
- The Leaves
- Little Play Soldiers
- One More Time, Billy Brown
- A Stranger In Your Town
- I Wrote A Song
American Portraits is scheduled to be released on August 22, 2025 on Howlin' Dog Records.
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