Dave Cope & The Sass – Julee

In 2019, Dave Cope & The Sass gave us a self titled album that found its way onto our end of the year top 20 albums list. Little did I realize that previous works existed – namely the low key, 2013’s A Proper Record. Cope reworks the best of these tracks, adding some compositions he’d written a few years earlier. Calling this new collection Julee, he gives us something new, borrowed and at points, a little blue.

If you’re not familiar with Cope, he has mastered the 60’s British Invasion sound. His work is reminiscent of all of the best bands of that era. The Beatles, Stones, and The Who – but most of all, The Move. This is immediately evident from the albums’ opening track.

“Julee” has a distinctly psychedelic vibe that takes the listener back to the days of The Ed Sullivan Show, lava lamps and the hula hoop. Immediately after, Cope goes all John Lennon on us with a beautiful piano piece entitled “Let Me In”.  Still at the piano, Dave carries us into the wonderfully melodic and memorable “They Never Say Hello”. The chorus is a monster hook and the string arrangements are just right. I can’t get this one out of my head.

That said, my favorite track may be the Move-like “Topsy Turvy”. It’s both lyrically and musically reminiscent of my favorite Jeff Lynne/Roy Wood records. Then, Dave takes us on a 3:55 trip to India. with “On A Day Like Today”.

Get Dave Cope & The Sass’ Julee Here  

The string arrangements are impressive throughout. Cellos, violins and violas get in on the act. Flutes, keyboards and banjo serve to further accent some wonderful compositions. Get your CD copy of Dave Cope & The Sass Julee at Kool Kat Musik. Get the digital version HERE.