Coope Boyes and Simpson
| Company type | Vocal folk trio |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Barry Coope, Jim Boyes, Lester Simpson |
| Defunct | 2017 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Folk music albums and performances |
Coope Boyes and Simpson was a British vocal folk trio established circa 1990, recognized for their intricate and distinctive harmonies. The ensemble consisted of Barry Coope, Jim Boyes (previously a member of Swan Arcade), and Lester Simpson, primarily performing a cappella, with occasional inclusion of instruments such as accordion, guitar, and drums in their studio recordings.
Their song selection encompassed traditional folk tunes—often reimagined with inventive arrangements—alongside hymns, carols, and original works. The majority of their releases appeared on the No Masters label, a cooperative based in Northern England managed by musicians and songwriters.
Their repertoire often addressed political subjects but also embraced sacred music. Two albums featuring Christmas carols and hymns regularly receive airplay on Classic FM during the festive period.
Although mainly functioning as a trio, their lineup was adaptable, occasionally incorporating additional vocalists. Some holiday recordings were issued under the name 'Voices at the Door.' The group also participated in the occasional folk supergroup Blue Murder, alongside members from Waterson–Carthy and The Watersons. In 2014, Coope and Simpson toured with Jo Freya and Fi Fraser performing seasonal songs, culminating in the release of the album Hark Hark through No Masters Cooperative Ltd.
That same year saw the release of In Flanders Fields on No Masters—a two-disc tribute to World War I music—reflecting their longstanding association with the In Flanders Fields Museum. The collection includes wartime songs as well as original compositions inspired by that era.
They appeared on various compilation projects and engaged in experimental partnerships involving spoken word and performance artists. From 2005 onward, they frequently collaborated with labelmates Chumbawamba, contributing vocals to albums such as A Singsong and a Scrap, Get On With It! Live, and The Boy Bands Have Won.
In 2016, it was announced that they would embark on a farewell tour in 2017, culminating in their final concert at the Derby Folk Festival in October of that year.
Barry Coope died following a brief illness on 6 November 2021.
Discography
- Albums
- Funny Old World (1993)
- We're Here Because We're Here (1995) (live recording with Willem Vermandere and Norbert Detaeye)
- Falling Slowly (1996)
- Passchendaele Suite (1996) (collaboration with Panta Rhei)
- Hindsight (1998)
- A Garland of Carols (1998)
- Christmas Truce / Kerstbestand (1999) (with Wak Maar Proper)
- Where You Belong (1999)
- What We Sing Is What We Are (compilation) (1999)
- Twenty-four Seven (2003)
- Fire and Sleet and Candlelight (2003) (featuring Jo Freya, Fi Fraser, and Georgina Boyes)
- Triple Echo (2005)
- Private Peaceful: The Concert (2006) (live performance with Michael Morpurgo)
- Voices at the Door: Midwinter Songs and Carols (2006) (with Jo Freya, Fi Fraser, and Georgina Boyes)
- as if... (2010)
- On Angel Wings (with Michael Morpurgo) (2012)
- Hark Hark (Coope & Simpson with Jo Freya, Fi Fraser) Released: 1 December 2014, No Masters Cooperative Ltd
- In Flanders Fields Released: 4 August 2014, No Masters
- CODA Released: 2016, No Masters
- Contributing artist
- The Rough Guide to One Voice: Vocal Music from Around the World (1997, World Music Network)
- The Rough Guide to English Roots Music (1998, World Music Network)
- No One Stands Alone (as part of Blue Murder) 2003 Topic