Modern blues with percussive punch says BEAT magazine.

An uplifting set of blues
performances with
impressive guest stars.
Jeff Beck wails on ‘Every Day I Have The
Blues’, one of 15 songs on a CD that
includes a smoothly executed drum solo
from top session man Jimmy. (CW)
★★★★★

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk

Jimmy Copley & Friends – Slap My Hand

Rating: B (B = BUY IT)
Journeyman drummer Jimmy Copley has had an amazing career and played with some of the biggest names in rock, including Jeff Beck, Pino Palladino, Bernie Marsden, Neil Murrey and Micky Moody. Now, he has all of friends together, making music on a more than respectable CD release.

Copley is an amazing drummer who is versatile, stylish, and from the sounds of the song "The Toucan" well versed in drum soling. The best tracks are the ones that feature Jeff Beck. The two go way back and Beck shines on the tracks "Everyday I Have the Blues" and "All Shook Up." Ex-Whitesnake axe-slinger, Bernie Marsden whips out some rocking, blues licks during the remake of the Cream classic "Strange Brew" and "You Make It Easy."

This album is for anyone looking outside the box for some talented musicians making groove oriented music that can be called bluesy, jazzy and, of course, rock "n" roll.

– Jeb Wright

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Review by Brian Harman

Although Jimmy started his drumming career in a band named ‘Spread Eagle’ who had supported bands such as Genesis and Lindisfarne he did not really make his mark in the music world until he teamed up with Andy Clarke and Stephen Amazing to form UPP. It has now gone into legend that whilst the band were rehearsing for their debut album Jeff Beck wandered into the studio and was so impressed with that which he was hearing that he promptly took them under his wing and not only produced their debut album but he also played on it as well. Their second and last album also featured Jeff Beck, it was released in nineteen seventy-six, also during that time UPP toured England and Europe with Beck Bogart & Appice.

Shortly afterwards the band members went their separate ways and throughout the following two decades Jimmy focused his attention mainly on session work and touring. During that time he has played with such diverse artists as Tina Turner and Tears for Fears. Over the last ten or so years Jimmy has been a vital member of many bands and musical partnerships, but now devotes his time between the Manfred Mann Earthband and his solo career.

Throughout Jimmy’s career he has had the good fortune to work with a number of extremely talented guitarists, from Jeff Beck through to his current collaborator the Japanese guitarist Char.

Usually any album with the phrase ‘and friends’ in the title should invariably be avoided as they are normally an excuse for a glorified karaoke session which in turn becomes a contract filler. Happily I can without a shadow of a doubt state that this album is light years away from my initial fears.

The fifteen numbers found on this album are all bursting with a surging vitality which translates into lightning strikes of sound that explode out of the speakers with spine tightening crispness, coupled with a clarity of freshness and originality that shakes the senses and focuses the mind.

The guitarists featured on the album are, in no particular order; Jeff Beck, Char, Micky Moody, Bernie Marsden and Steve Evans together they raise the tone of the album to a higher level.

Peter Cox’s soft, relaxed voice is certainly attuned to the almost whimsical goodtime approach to the numbers.

Obviously, with the lead instrument being the drums one could be expecting an ear-bashing, but no, Jimmy has infused his playing with a jaunty, roaming spirit, whether it be a happy go lucky second line strut or a loose played blues standard.

The whole emphasis is on fun, fizzing guitars and delectable drumming.

Not only is this album funtime but it also absorbing and richly rewarding, especially the cutting-torch guitar solo accompaniments which jostle for elbow room in an overflowing musical feast.

Well! I think it’s essential!

>>>>> Brian Harman www.bluesartstudio.at

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JIMMY COPLEY & FRIENDS

Jimmy Copley has been around for many years and has managed to build friendships with a stellar cast of musicians, most of whom are happy to give their talents to this album. Mustering the likes of Jeff Beck, Pino Palladino, Paul Jackson, Bernie Marsden, Mickey Moody - the list goes on and on - certainly proves that a lot of different players think a lot of you and you might even hope that the result is going to be a monster album. Much of this is simply irresistible and individually the tracks are pretty damn good, with some fabulous playing, but the problem is that there isn't a particular style to the album that you can hang your hat on. Jeff Beck's playing on 'J Blues' is stunning, as is Dino Baptiste's organ on 'Red Beans & Rice' and Bernie Marsden's throughout. 'East West Mardi Gras' has a super New Orleans groove to it, and 'Skank It' with Char on guitar and Yoshinobu Kojima on keys has a real Bob James meets Chic funk feel to it - all good stuff. Mr Copley's drumming throughout shows why he is so popular as a session drummer, as he turns his hand to every style in the book. It is all fine stuff and it feels churlish to carp - as a testament to a long and successful career it speaks volumes but it is still too varied in style for perfection. Mind you, I'll be playing it in the car for yonks.
Andy Snipper myspace.com/bluesmatterspublication

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http://www.blues.pl/draheim/

“A fantastic album”… This is what you have written when talking about that
CD. Well, you were absolutely right, the album is smokin’ hot! I am not a
big fan of “the best of friends” CDs so I was quite skeptical about the
whole idea of old rock guys getting together and playing blues related
stuff. I was wrong – it took just 10 seconds of the opening cut to blow my
mind, that sounds wicked. “Everyday I Have The Blues” is one of that songs
that almost everybody cover but not many people get things right. Jimmy’s
friends got it right with Jeff Beck playing some beautiful, understated
guitar and Peter Cox singing so sweet. “Red Beans & Rice” is just as good,
bringing the spirit of The MG’s straight to this new millennium. “J Blues”
with Pino Palladino and Jeff Beck is worth the price of that CD alone but it’s
impossible to find a weak song on this record. From deep blues, through
soul-jazz grooves and New Orleans’ sounds, all the way to rock’n’roll and
boogie-woogie, those guys have that sound right in the pocket. Plus, the
sound quality of the album is spectacular. There is something magical in
those Japanese pressings as the sound like they were sent from heaven. To
make long story short, Jimmy Copley has recorded one hell of an album – one
on the coolest I have heard recently.

I will be more than happy to introduce Jimmy’s music to my listeners. I will
keep you posted with airplay news and Living Blues reports.

Thanks again for e-mailing me George and for sending me the music. I hope to
stay in touch with you.

Best wishes, Przemek Draheim