Yes, Coope, Boyes and Simpson could quite correctly be called “folk singers”, but to do so would be to somehow miss the bigger picture, the point of what they really are, and what they so brilliantly do.  They could probably sing authentic and traditional folk songs until the cows came home – trailing their pretty milkmaids behind them – and sing them beautifully, but they do much, much more than that, and on last night’s evidence, accomplish their task with great skill and much enjoyment, and to an audience’s entire satisfaction.

 They bring a modern sharpness, a contemporary vibrancy and an insightful edge to their finely wrought and tight vocal harmonies.  This is folk music for the times we are living in, and it’s sometimes thought-provoking and challenging.  If there’s an occasional ‘bite’ to their material (much of it self-penned or from their leading contemporaries, such as Michael Marra and Richard Thompson) it’s delivered with grace and subtlety, it’s finely wrapped in gloriously tight harmonies, and is presented with much humour as well as admonishment and regret.  They can switch from a fine, authentic rendition of the traditional ‘Rufford Park Poachers’ to a sharp and critical yet tolerant look at where our society is currently at in ‘The Emperor’s Clothes’, and then move to the achingly sad and poignant ‘Hill of Little Shoes’ which chillingly chronicles man’s ability to be savagely and heartlessly cruel.  Their concert in the Crypt of St. James’ Church on Wednesday night was an over-arching rainbow of memorable words, ideas and images.  Within a carefully prepared, well judged and well paced repertoire, they gave us a concert of great  clarity and vision.  There is a strong sense that what they sing – and sing about – is important to us as a developing society.  We need to listen carefully to what they have to say…. Their message is not always pretty or cosy, but it’s never didactic, and it’s always clear and sincere.

                  They are busy and much-sought after performers at the very top of their game, and with an international fan-base and appeal ; Wetherby Festival has been proud to feature them.  They are now on tour throughout the country ; catch them if you can – they’re important and they’re good.

Wetherby News – Review of Coope Boyes & Simpson Concert, Wetherby Festival 25 Oct 2011.

 Meanwhile, the Coope Boyes & Simpson bonus CD which forms part of World Music Network’s double CD,  Rough Guide to English Folk has prompted Amazon customers to – well - sing its praises: