'SOOP#1' was a fun project, concocted by my wife and I over an Italian meal. Over the years (usually as some sort of experiment in the studio) I'd been prone to recording a version of a personal favourite. Sometimes I attempted to emulate the original as an experiment to see if I could employ the recording or arranging techniques used on the original. Sometimes I did it because I believed I could improve upon the original (not that the original wasn't great!) I just thought there was another interpretation in there, somewhere.

Not long ago, a few friends suggested I release an album of those songs. I had a listen to a few of them and realised there was some good stuff and an album might help to clear out my archives! So we decided to make a limited edition album, with a pressing of 500, and sell them ourselves. The project exceeded all expectations, selling out much quicker than we expected!!

Thus began the 'S.O.O.P' series. I plan for this to be an ongoing thing as I truly enjoy recording covers. They are low pressure ways of lightening myself up in the studio.

Reviews

Michael Carpenter
SOOP #1

"Just after the April, 2001 update went up, I received Mr. Carpenter's CD of cover songs by some of his favorite artists.
This type of CD is usually something that I am uninterested in; however, in Carpenter's case, the work is more
than interesting. It is a blueprint of how a great songwriter becomes one. An artist is the sum of those artists that
he or she admires. Carpenter lays that equation out for us here, and the total is impressive indeed.
The opening track, "King's Highway", a Tom Petty cover, is a tour de force. The rising, anthemic guitars, the
tambourine on the choruses, the in-time cascading drums, and outstanding arrangement brought me back to
the time that I first heard "American Girl." Petty has had a real career for a reason. He really is one of the great
rock songwriters of our era. Carpenter recognizes this, and this song is a great tribute to Mr. Petty.
He'd love this version. The second track, an obscure Beatles cover, underscores Carpenter's true
understanding of what made the Beatles great. They played 1-4-5 rock-n-roll for years before they redefined the genre.
They cut their teeth in the clubs, and were a great live band (when you could hear them over the screams).
Like The Beatles, Carpenter plays a gig almost every night in his native Australia. There may not be a harder
working musician anywhere. Playing makes you better. It worked for The Beatles; it works for Carpenter.
He covers "This Will Be Our Year" by The Zombies. Jazz-pop pioneers and fathers of the prog rock movement,
The Zombies wrote some of the greatest songs in an era dominated by The Beatles. Purists call them a better band.
That Carpenter tries this shows his good taste. He tackles "Rain". I cringed at first, because a cover of
this song is a tall order. But he nails it, and it even has that "Rain" vibe. Great job.
He tackles Sam Cooke, maybe the greatest singer of all time.
But where this recording really shines is the versions of The Beach Boys' "Wild Honey" and "You're So Good To Me". Carpenter is a '70s Brother-era Beach Boys disciple, and these versions really shine.
Available in a limited edition of 500, this release is worthy of purchase for its collectible nature at the least.
At the most, it is a journey into the pieces of the puzzle that make a great artist become who he or she is.
This unique recording can be purchased directly from the artist at www.mcarp.com, and in the United States
through Not Lame Recordings (www.notlame.com), his Stateside label.
You can e-mail him directly at stagefright@msn.com.au "
Review by Fufkin.com (website)

 

MICHAEL CARPENTER
SOOP#1

"Michael Carpenter’s third release as a solo artist is a covers album (SOOP = Songs of other people).
It is a credit to Michael as both a producer and a performer that he has managed to present songs by a group
of artistes as disparate as Arthur Alexander, The Beatles, Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen,
and manage to do so in such a tight and cohesive manner, without diluting the spirit of the songs he has recorded.
Although the final track listing was decided by votes from fans via his website, the song selection is clearly
a reflection of Michael’s influences. His recordings of songs by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan
(via The Byrds), The Monkees and The Zombies point to Carpenter’s passion for glorious 60s pop.
The collection is bookended by two Tom Petty songs, which works well, Petty being one of the most talented
and successful protégés of these same influences. Ultimately, this album proves to be an
invigorating and entertaining salute to those who made Michael Carpenter what he is today
(musically speaking, that is). A delightful diversion. SOOP #1 can be ordered through Not Lame,
or from Michael directly via his website: www.mcarp.com But hurry as numbers are limited. "
Review by Jimm @ Go Pop! (Fanzine)

 

MICHAEL CARPENTER
SOOP #1
( Big Radio/www.mcarp.com )

"The resounding success of the Beatles made it virtually mandatory for recording artists to sing their own songs.
Certainly, before the 1960s, the roles of composer and performer were largely separate ones. Of course, the
mainstream pop scene has returned to that scenario with current pop stars hardly figuring in the songwriting
arena. Whilst the constant barrage of today's pop stars singing well-known cover tunes has left a bad taste in
serious rock and pop enthusiasts' mouths, there has emerged another recent rising trend. This has allowed
artists to record familiar material but presented as a tribute to the composer in question or to highlight an inventive
approach that is consistent with the said musician's own sound and vision.
In the latter category, the likes of Mark Kozelek, with his acoustic, stripped down interpretation of AC/DC songs
(What's Next to the Moon) and Jon Auer, with his idiosyncratic treatment of diverse source material (6½) have
already set a healthy precedent for this nascent movement. Add to the list, Aussie popster Michael Carpenter,
who comes with an array of tunes that reflect his own personal tastes and preferences.
Titled SOOP i.e. "songs of other people," this collection of power pop tracks will not surprise anyone familiar
with Carpenter's own material, which can be found on his excellent albums, Baby and Hopefulness (available from
Not Lame Records). No surprise then that the selections range from breezy folk-rock Tom Petty’s “King’s Highway,”
The Byrds version of Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom” to Beatles-Beach Boys arch pop “Rain,” “I’ll Get You,” “Wild Honey”
and “You So Good to Me.” Not to mention the surprise hidden 13th track. *Sigh*
Less obvious perhaps is Carpenter’s decision to render Zombies’ “This Will Be Our Year,” Springsteen’s
“I Wish I Were Blind” and Sam Cooke’s “Wonderful World” in a style that makes no compromise or deviation from
Carpenter’s recognisable pop “formula.” Which speaks volumes for Carpenter’s pedigree and degree of confidence
in his own ability. Released in a limited run of 500 copies, I suggest you secure a copy of SOOP #1 post-haste,
you will not regret it! (8) "
Review by POWER OF POP Website 1/6/01

 

Michael Carpenter
SOOP #1
(Big Radio Records)

"A couple of weeks ago, when writing about The Band's Moondog Matinee, I asked, semi-rhetorically, if
covers LPs ever worked. With SOOP #1, Carpenter proves that they can work and work extremely well.
He pulls it off by coming at it from a different angle. Instead of using it as a tool to clear writer's block, revitalize a
stale band, or indulge in a little public dues paying, he tackles a dozen songs just 'cause he likes them.
Recorded over the course of six years, many tracks were laid down quickly in spare studio moments, and despite being
one or two man affairs (and by definition, heavily overdubbed) they crackle with a freshness and vitality that's rare
even for a band recorded live off the floor - doubly so built it pieces.
The opening "King's Highway" betters Tom Petty's original by upping the jangle factor and emphasizing the pure pop
aspects of the song. The Beach Boy's "Wild Honey" is even better; Carpenter really let 'er rip on the vocal, recalling the
grit and passion of John Lennon's early Beatle work. A dose of gutsy guitar also gives it some extra oomph. It's odd
that a pure pop master like Carpenter can bring something fresh to a Beach Boys song by adding some Beatley elements
and then follow it immediately with a Beatles cover that doesn't work nearly as well. "Rain" - not bad by any
yardstick - hews too closely to the original. He states in his liner notes that it was his intention to recreate the original,
so it gets rated an unqualified success on that front (sounds like he a ball trying, too), but it doesn't meet the exceptional
level of the rest of the LP. The glockenspiel he adds to Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World" lends some
Buddy Holly charm, while the discreet steel guitar brings in a subtly Byrdsy atmosphere. There's considerably
more Byrds to be found in "Chimes of Freedom," where he combines their version with Dylan's and Springsteen's -
the organ and bass, in particular, recall the Boss' take. And then he tackles Bruce by covering one of the more
overlooked songs from his catalog. "I Wish I Were Blind," from Human Touch, is gentle and sorrowful.
And in a final Beach Boys homage, there's a hidden track. "Our Prayer," originally intended for the BB's Smile LP,
is a minute or so of heavenly a cappella massed harmony gauze. The LP is available from Michael's web site and is
a hand numbered (and autographed) limited edition of 500. Now, where's SOOP #2? "
Record of the Week (27/5/01)
Review by John F. Butland (TOAST MAGAZINE)