During the last decade, Citizen Cope has forged elements of rock, soul, folk and funk to create a distinctive sound that moves smoothly from driving paranoia (“Brother Lee”) to stunning beauty (“Healing Hands”).
Before he performed at one of his sold-out shows at the Recher Theatre last month, Cope (née Clarence Greenwood) stopped by WTMD to share some of his favorite artists. Not surprisingly, the D.C.-born, Brooklyn, N.Y.-based songwriter’s set runs the gamut of inspirations.
Cope kicks off with a double dose of Stevie Wonder: the original version of “Sir Duke” and David Isaccs’ cover of “A Place in the Sun.”
"We lost David Isaacs on December 23 of last year. R.I.P. David," says Cope, memorializing the reggae singer who worked with Lee "Scratch" Perry.
Cope keeps the soul going with Otis Redding's "Pain in My Heart" and Alicia Keys' "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart." But he's comfortable mixing in classic and contemporary rock with Led Zeppelin and TV on the Radio. Tune in at 8 p.m. for the full set.
Citizen Cope plays Rams Head Live on April 24.
•••• Stevie Wonder, "Sir Duke"
•••• David Isaacs, "A Place in the Sun"
•••• Alice Smith, "Dream"
•••• D'Angelo, "Brown Sugar"
•••• Otis Redding, "Pain in My Heart"
•••• TV on the Radio, "Crying"
•••• Alicia Keys, "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart"
•••• Paul Simon, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"
•••• Led Zeppelin, "Kashmir"
•••• Neil Young, "Out on the Weekend"