or send a cheque, specifying London Sessions , payable to: P. Cooper
3 Astra House
Mt. Pleasant Villas
London N4 4HB
Aired by Verity Sharp on BBC Radio-3’s Late Junction, London Sessions is a compilation of favourite tracks, completely remastered, from Pete’s earlier albums, along with previously unreleased material. Traditional tunes rub shoulders with Cooper originals.
A six-part documentary film about the American Civil War, 'Life In A War Zone', has 'August', for the theme music,recorded here with Frank Kilkelly.
A selection of fiddle tunes in different idioms taken from recordings made by Cooper and the occasional accomplice between 1988 and 2001. The first track’s an old-time American step dance (with footwork by Sandy Silva), the next a fleet-footed Irish jig, the third a lament which - like a great many tunes here - he wrote himself. And so it goes on, hopping idioms, all handled with equal flair. No instrumental set can bypass Scandinavia these days and this one has tunes from Sweden and Norway, played as duets with Mark Emerson. Cooper’s August, another slow one, is a very attractive tune and makes subtle use of fiddle overdubs and Frank Kilkelly’s guitars
- Nick Beale April 2005 fROOTS review of London Sessions
.... Pete’s playing throughout is of the highest order, as you would expect, and the backing where provided is tasteful and appropriate, everything is nicely done. In fact the entire album has a rather polished ‘feel’ about it. This is not a criticism, on the contrary, it says a lot about the musicianship of everyone involved. Pete states in the notes that some of the tracks ‘catch the freshness of first meetings’ and others ‘were just meant to capture new tunes before I forgot them’ - yet there are no rough edges here. The variety of tunes, arrangements and indeed the different times and locations of the recordings make a fine introduction to the music of Pete Cooper if you were coming to it for the first time. Long standing admirers will want the previously unreleased material
- Danny Saunders Issue 61 The Living Tradition review
"A terrific selection of tunes, and features American, Irish, Scandinavian and Scottish tunes and influences... The great thing about this record is that the pieces all sound fresh, and project well... Unmissable if you’re a fiddler, enjoyable if you’re not."
- Chris Mills, Shire Folk
"A great introduction to [Pete’s] music, offering a retrospective view of his recorded work,’ as well as ‘something new for those who already know his work well. A lovely album."
- Geoff Ager, Fiddle On
Pete is joined by Richard Bolton cello, Geoff Coombs mandola, Luke Daniels button
accordion, Michael Donaghy bodhran, Tim Edey guitar, Mark Emerson fiddle, Candy Goldman 5-string banjo, Tina Johansson percussion
, Frank Kilkelly guitar, Kathryn Locke cello, Jenny Newman viola and Sandy Silva foot percussion.
"The best sessions just happen," says Pete, "though most get away unrecorded - at parties, in pubs, friends’ kitchens. Several tracks here catch the freshness of first meetings, others were more planned, others again were just meant to capture new tunes before I forgot them."
