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Heartfelt Songs Have
Become Copes Signature
By Jerry Johnston, staff writer
Deseret News archives, Friday, August 21, 1998
When Kenneth Cope sings,
it could be 1971. Then again, it could be 2001. The LDS songwriter
is not only a throwback to the balladeer days of Cat Stevens, James
Taylor and Joni Mitchell but seems to be on the cusp of a new era
of personal music - "anti-digital" music that tries to reclaim the
warmth and humanity of early folk music. And Cope's latest CD, "Stories
from Eden's Garden," could serve as "Exhibit A." The breathy, heartfelt
performances on that album have become his signature.
"Music has changed so much," says Cope. "There are no "song-shoppers'
around town trying to sell single songs now. Everything is "project
driven,' with the focus on technology. But I think things will come
back to those personal songs again." Things indeed do come back on
Cope's new "Stories from Eden's Garden." From the title tune - with
its lilting cadences lifted from childhood - to "Old Eyes," "Man in
the Sun" and other sentimental numbers, the album plays to the singer's
strengths and his listener's tastes. It's all sweetness and light,
with a fresh perspective that "Mission Field Mormons" tend to bring
to their work.
A native of Houston, Texas - where his father was in the National
Weather Service - Cope eventually did end up at Orem High School during
the Utah County boom in Mormon pop music. He played with some bands,
did some solo work, finally making a name for himself with "concept"
albums - entire CDs devoted to a theme or an event. Today he's one
of the most recognizable names and faces on the Mormon music scene,
though he'd like to have bigger fish to fry. Like many LDS singers
and songwriters, his ultimate goal is to crack the Christian music
market and find a national audience.
"We've been talking about that for years," Cope says. "But we're kept
out because we're not recognized as Christian. Besides, the minute
the wall between the LDS culture and mainstream Christianity comes
down on any part, it means other walls will fall. And I think the
Christian music industry is nervous about that."
For now, Cope will keep selling his wares on the regional scene and
building a bigger following. A Western states tour looms this fall.
And during the recent Pearl Awards, his song tribute to the three
Goodman Family children killed in an auto accident not only won an
award but was the most moving moment of the event. It was classic
Cope: moving, sweet, spiritual. That tender tone is his gift - a gift
he hopes one day to share with Christian listeners everywhere.
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