Pete Cooper and Richard Bolton’s first (2002) CD presents a range of new and traditional pieces, from Chip, a fine opening set of English 3/2 hornpipes to Lorna
, described by Shirley Collins as ‘quite simply one of the most beautiful and beguiling pieces of music I’ve ever heard.’
Both Fiona Talkington and Verity Sharp played tracks from the album - on BBC Radio-3’s Late Junction - when it first came out.
"There’s plain honest dance tunes in there - not least Abbot’s Bromley Horn Dance - but the duo find new and fascinating places to lead them to. A lot of the pieces are Cooper compositions... His wistful August is a particular highlight"
- Nick Beale, fROOTS
"August has all that it takes to be a classic along the lines of Jay Ungar's Ashokan Farewell. The playing of both guys is immensely authoritative, and a delight from start to finish... this is as close to a "Must Buy" as it gets
- Dai Woosnam, The Living Tradition
"Turning Point is one of our favorite CDs. We cook dinner to it and put it on when seeking some solace in these crazy times"
- email feedback, Iowa City
"Pete sings and plays the bluegrassy song Handsome Molly combined with a tune called Chicken & Dumplings. There’s a real joy and bounce about this track, and the cello drives the song well... More reflectively, there’s a highly evocative composition by Richard Bolton, A Time For Peace, inspired by the city of Belfast - a very emotional piece and sensitively played. There’s a good mix of other material, including Thirteen, a manic Macedonian tune in seven parts... I was fortunate to see Pete and Richard present this music live and play with tremendous feel and focus"
- Chris Mills, Fiddle On
"Explores and invigorates the English stringband tradition"
- English Dance and Song
"The music of Pete Cooper and Richard Bolton is unique on the English scene... Worth to check out"
- Michael Moll, www.folkworld.de
"We were glad and proud to discover for us and our audience such bright artist as you... Thank you for joy of dealings with your wonderful music. Much friendly love from Siberia"
- Radio Penguin, Novosibirsk
"Chamber music with an erection" - verbal feedback, Belfast
