Reviews

Artist: Coope Boyes & Simpson
Album: As If...
Label: No Masters
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.coopeboyesandsimpson.co.uk

Who gives a damn about the vocal gymnastics of viewer friendly 'Glee' (although personally speaking I do enjoy it with my fingers over my eyes…honest!) when we in Britain have the formidable brilliance of Coope, Boyes and Simpson? There I was listening to part of the Mike Harding Show when I heard the utterly heartbreaking ballad "A Hill Of Little Shoes" written by Clive James. The trio's arrangement utilising a startling change from sombre minor key to major provides the listener with little relief when you understand the song is the chilling tale of children's shoes taken from them before they were sent to the gas chamber.

It is also the mark of good track programming that this is followed by a buoyant re-working of Richard Thompson's "Keep Your Distance" featuring human beat-box and hand-claps. Not since the days of English Tapestry (remember them?) have I been so enthralled or stimulated by the pure beauty of unaccompanied singing.

The recent resurgence in popularity of songs inspired by nautical themes as in the case of Lester Simpson's excellent "Haven" would give any shanty-man a run for his money and if you haven't guessed it already I can't fault a single track on the entire album.

Light and shade should be the trade-mark of any self-respecting group that wants to engage their audience and trust me with Barry, Jim and Lester the listener is thoroughly rewarded.

Peter Fyfe

---