Playgrounds Magazine  
January 1999 

PG Picks, by Alice Barkwell

Cooper's music is bluesy and jazzy and not my usual cup of tea, but in Cooper's hands you can't help but get into it.  This CD is dedicated to his father who died in 1996.  It is pretty evenly divided between instrumental numbers and songs with lyrics. 

You is a real jam with cool lyrics sung by Michelle Malone.  Doo Dad is a very cool tune and quite beautiful, due to Cooper's intricate guitar work and the amazing band he has put together, four minutes of cool ending way too soon!   Good Friend, the 6th cut, is so beautiful it takes your breath away! Sam Skelton's sax is a big reason.  Cooper says that he prefers I say his music is honest, rather than beautiful, but I can't help it, it's beautiful!  In Freedom, we're tempted to chuck everything for freedom, but voices in our lives always keep calling us back. 

The sooner Cooper brings his wonderful band to Columbus, the happier I will be!