Coope Boyes and Simpson
Encyclopedia
Coope, Boyes and Simpson are an English
vocal folk
trio, formed around 1990. Their sound is rich and often has unusual vocal harmonies.
The group comprises singers Barry Coope, Jim Boyes (formerly of Swan Arcade
) and Lester Simpson
, and almost all of their music is sung entirely a capella, although they have occasionally used accordion, guitar and drums very sparingly on recordings.
They perform a mixture of both traditional folk songs (though often creatively arranged), hymns and carols, and their own original compositions. Most of their albums have been released on the No Masters
label - the No Masters Co-operative is a recording and publishing company run by songwriters, singers and musicians based in the North of England.
Much of their music is political in nature, but they also perform sacred music, and have released two albums consisting of Christmas carols and hymns, which receive extensive airplay on Classic FM
around Christmas time from DJ Natalie Wheen
.
In addition to the three vocalists, the nature of the line up seems to be somewhat fluid, with additional singers joining in as required. Their Christmas recordings are sometimes accredited to 'Voices at the Door', while the trio are also part of the occasional supergroup
Blue Murder
along with members of Waterson Carthy and The Watersons
.
They have also contributed tracks to 'original' compilation albums - e.g. new recordings to which different artists contribute songs, and frequently work with spoken word and performance artists as part of experimental collaborations.
Since 2005 they have frequently collaborated with label mates Chumbawamba
, contributing vocals on their albums A Singsong and a Scrap
, Get On With It
! Live and The Boy Bands Have Won
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
vocal folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
trio, formed around 1990. Their sound is rich and often has unusual vocal harmonies.
The group comprises singers Barry Coope, Jim Boyes (formerly of Swan Arcade
Swan Arcade
Swan Arcade were a British folk music vocal group formed in 1970. "A leading light of the British folk revival" they sang a wide variety of songs, including blues, pop and rock and roll, as well as traditional folk music, mostly performed a cappella. Swan Arcade also performed with The Watersons...
) and Lester Simpson
Lester Simpson
Lester Simpson is a folk singer and radio presenter on BBC Local Radio in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. He features in the three-piece folk group Coope, Boyes and Simpson, and on the Folkwaves radio program with Mick Peat....
, and almost all of their music is sung entirely a capella, although they have occasionally used accordion, guitar and drums very sparingly on recordings.
They perform a mixture of both traditional folk songs (though often creatively arranged), hymns and carols, and their own original compositions. Most of their albums have been released on the No Masters
No Masters
No Masters is a British record label, based in the north of England, specialising in folk with a political edge.The label was founded in 1990 by John Tams and Jim Boyes. Originally working as singer, John Tams is now famous as an actor in the TV series "Sharpe". He does much of the production work...
label - the No Masters Co-operative is a recording and publishing company run by songwriters, singers and musicians based in the North of England.
Much of their music is political in nature, but they also perform sacred music, and have released two albums consisting of Christmas carols and hymns, which receive extensive airplay on Classic FM
Classic FM (UK)
Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:...
around Christmas time from DJ Natalie Wheen
Natalie Wheen
Natalie Wheen is a British classical music radio presenter, currently broadcasting on Classic FM.Wheen, who was born in Shanghai, was a presenter of BBC Radio 4's arts' programme Kaleidoscope and Radio 3's evening sequence Mainly for Pleasure...
.
In addition to the three vocalists, the nature of the line up seems to be somewhat fluid, with additional singers joining in as required. Their Christmas recordings are sometimes accredited to 'Voices at the Door', while the trio are also part of the occasional supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
Blue Murder
Blue Murder (folk)
Blue Murder is an occasional English folk "supergroup", consisting at various times of various members of Swan Arcade, Coope Boyes and Simpson, Waterson:Carthy and The Watersons....
along with members of Waterson Carthy and The Watersons
The Watersons
The Watersons were an English folk group from Hull, Yorkshire. They performed mainly traditional songs with little or no accompaniment. Their distinctive sound came from their closely woven harmonies.-Career:...
.
They have also contributed tracks to 'original' compilation albums - e.g. new recordings to which different artists contribute songs, and frequently work with spoken word and performance artists as part of experimental collaborations.
Since 2005 they have frequently collaborated with label mates Chumbawamba
Chumbawamba
Chumbawamba is a British musical group who have, over a career spanning nearly three decades, played punk rock, pop-influenced music, world music, and folk music...
, contributing vocals on their albums A Singsong and a Scrap
A Singsong and a Scrap
A Singsong and a Scrap is a Chumbawamba album released in 2005. It shows more folk influence than their previous album Un and features guest appearances from folk musicians such as Coope Boyes and Simpson, Andy Cutting and John Jones and Ian Telfer of Oysterband...
, Get On With It
Get on with It
Get on with It is a live Chumbawamba album released in 2006. It features recordings made at Chumbawamba shows throughout England in 2006, covering songs from all throughout their musical career....
! Live and The Boy Bands Have Won
The Boy Bands Have Won
The Boy Bands Have Won is the common title of a Chumbawamba album released in 2008. Its full title contains 865 characters, and holds the record for the longest album title, as of August 2009. The band normally uses the shorter version when referring to the album on their website.- Background :The...
.
Discography
- Funny Old World (19931993 in musicThis is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
) - We're Here Because We're Here (19951995 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
) (with Willem Vermandere and Norbert Detaeye) (live) - Falling Slowly (19961996 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
) - Passchendaele Suite (19961996 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
) (with Panta Rehi) - Hindsight (19981998 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
) - A Garland of Carols (19981998 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
) - Christmas Truce / Kerstbestand (19991999 in music-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
) (with Wak Maar Proper) - Where You Belong (19991999 in music-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
) - What We Sing Is What We Are (compilation) (19991999 in music-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
) - Twenty-four Seven (20032003 in music-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...
) - Fire and Sleet and Candlelight (20032003 in music-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...
) (with Jo FreyaJo FreyaJo Freya is an English saxophonist, clarinetist and singer.She was born Jo Fraser, but changed her name to Jo Freya as a condition of joining the actors' union Equity, which does not allow two of its members to share the same name...
, Fi Fraser and Georgina Boyes) - Triple Echo (20052005 in music-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
) - Private Peaceful: The Concert (20062006 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
) (with Michael MorpurgoMichael MorpurgoMichael Morpurgo, OBE FKC AKC is an English author, poet, playwright and librettist, best known for his work in children's literature. He was the third Children's Laureate.-Early life:...
) (live) - Voices at the Door: Midwinter Songs and Carols (20062006 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
) (with Jo FreyaJo FreyaJo Freya is an English saxophonist, clarinetist and singer.She was born Jo Fraser, but changed her name to Jo Freya as a condition of joining the actors' union Equity, which does not allow two of its members to share the same name...
, Fi Fraser and Georgina Boyes) - as if...(20102010 in music2010 in music may refer to:*2010 in American music*2010 in Australian music*2010 in British music*2010 in Canadian music*2010 in European music *2010 in Irish music*2010 in Japanese music*2010 in New Zealand music...
)