Sourland Symphony

Instrumental Acoustic Music by James Popik inspired by and dedicated to the Sourland Mountain featuring Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Bouzouki, Mandolin and Percussion. To purchase: https://jamespopik.bandcamp.com/album/the-sourland-symphony

Personnel:

Green Mountain Melting - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Andy Janowiak - Cymbals, Toms, Chuggy Carter - Congas, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Aaron Minsky - Cello

West Mountain - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Andy Janowiak - Cymbals, Toms, Chuggy Carter - Congas, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Aaron Minsky - Cello, Mark Stewart - Mandolin

Headwaters - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Andy Janowiak - Cymbals, Toms, Chuggy Carter - Congas, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Aaron Minsky - Cello

Southside Spring - James Popik 6 and 10 String Guitar, Joe Peterson - Bass, Karttikeya Arul - Handpan drums, percussion

Threnody For The Ash - James Popik - Guitar, Joe Peterson - Bass, Joe Deninzon - Violin

Woosamonsa Valley - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Dan Monaghan - Drums, Joe Deninzon - Violin

The Shagbark Shuffle - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Dan Monaghan - Drums, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Mandolin

Roaring Rocks - James Popik - 6 and 10 String Guitars, Karttikeya Arul - Cajon, Percussion, Dan Kassel - Cello

Devil’s Half Acre Blues - James Popik - Guitar, Joe Deninzon, Violin, Joe Peterson - Bass, Mark Stewart - Mandolin, Bouzouki

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Review by Celine Keating, Minor 7th Magazine

"The Sourland Symphony" 2025 Sourland Symphony, by James Popik, is a soaring suite of acoustic instrumental music in joyous tribute to Sourland Mountain in central New Jersey (though at 568 feet above sea level, Sourland has earned the title of "mountain" only because it pops up from flat farmland).The symphony of nine original compositions reflect the landscape in various seasons; it features, besides Popik's 6 and 12-string guitars, a slew of instruments and musicians in an exhilarating mix (just listen to the instruments chasing each other on "West Mountain"). Popik's guitar playing, a blend of rock, classical jazz, and blues, is electrifying throughout. Almost all the pieces are standouts, among them "Green Mountain Melting" and "Headwaters," which feature Joe Deninzon's violin, Mark Amentt's bass, and Aaron Minsky's cello. "Southside Springs," the longest piece at eight minutes, is a masterpiece. It opens with a set of vibrant harmonics, which repeats at times throughout, enlivened by percussion and hand pan drums by Karttikeya Arul, then moves through many shifts in mood and melody. Popik breaks out into an improvisational single-note section at about the six-minute mark that especially highlights his virtuoso playing. Other favorites include fun-loving "Shagbark Shuffle" with screechy bluesy guitar, spikey "Devil's Half-Acre Blues" with dissonant elements, and atmospheric "Roaring Rocks," featuring the interplay of soulful cello (Dan Kassel) and guitar, with Popik alternating between propulsive strumming and dazzling jazz and flamenco fingerwork. Sourland Mountain must be quite something to have inspired music this exceptional. © Céline Keating

Review from New Jersey Stage: "The Sourland Symphony" is a fantastic instrumental collection, well written and performed and with its diverse styles is a must add to any music collection. Popik took his time analyzing the mountain and each composition reflects not only his patience but also the landscape's various seasons and times.

The Symphony is currently #7 on the NACC Radio charts ( North American College and Community Radio)

All 9 tracks are now on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mKRzQTqCtD-B55qe4oBdRiOeSwgMirMCc