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Product Description
Review
Barry Coope, Jim Boyes and Lester Simpson are masters of close-harmony vocal work–the rather technical definition which describes the kind of heart-stirring group singing that has been one of the most recognisable characteristics of the English folk tradition. They have sung with the Waterson-Carthy clan, and with the National Theatre, as well as releasing their own recordings in the near-20 years of their career as a trio.
As If... is their first record for five years and it shows the measure of their talent–running from covers such as Robert Burns' The Slave's Lament to the deep, steady sadness of Clive James and Pete Atkins' A Hill of Little Shoes (sample lyric: "and every little shoe's a foot that never grew another day") to a closing answer to The Who's Won't Get Fooled Again (says Simpson: "They inspired me when I was at school, but now I have a more realistic view of the world").
There is further new material here, too, and it is this which proves the most intriguing–the politically-charged Under a Stone and the satirical twinge of The Emperor's New Clothes, to the close, warm, gentleness of Simpson's composition, Haven. Even on the newer tracks, As If... offers music that is rich and deep and rousing in its familiarity.
--Laura BartonFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
**** The Guardian
....they have released their first trio set in five years, and it's a virtuoso demonstration of their range. There's everything from a sturdy reworking of Clive James and Pete Atkins's pained and powerful Hill of Little Shoes, Richard Thompson's edgy Keep Your Distance and Robert Burns's The Slave's Lament, while their own new songs are equally varied, from Boyes's political warning Under the Stone and updated satire of The Emperor's New Clothes through to Simpson's powerful Haven, a song of hope for a suffering friend, or a bitter reworking of the Who on We Got Fooled Again. It's all sung a cappella, with occasional minimal percussion and magnificent harmonies throughout.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It was only when I heard a track from this album on the radio that I discovered they existed and I was completely blown away by the sound and the songs. I thought a whole album might be too much of a good thing but the subtlety and the clarity of the words and their interpretation mean you can listen to the whole lot without feeling you have over indulged. I feel rather ashamed I had never heard of them before as they are obviously masters of what they do and deserve to be well known far beyond the folk scene and I shall look forward to getting some of their back catalogue.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
To be able to sing "a cappella" and be totally in tune must be the most difficult thing to do. I had never come across CB&S before buying the Folk Awards 2011 sampler double album, which featured a wonderful version of "Now is the Cool of the Day", written by the American folk icon, Jean Ritchie. This particular version sent shivers down my spine - honestly! - so much so that I had to check them out on YouTube and, in the end, buy the album.
It is well worth it; not a bad track on it, not even an average track. Apart from the aforementioned opener, Richard Thompson's "Keep Your Distance" is another highlight where the backing seem like sounds effects. There is also a fair amount of humour scattered throughout the album like on "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "We Got Fooled Again". There is some sadness, too, as on "Spring 1919" and "A Hill of Little Shoes", which I also love.
The voices are clear, the three part harmony is perfection and each voice compliments the other two. It's a shame I had not heard of them before, but I have now. Better late than never and this is one of the wonders of exploring music - you never know when you'll unearth talent which others know about but which you, until now, didn't.
This is a class act!
It is well worth it; not a bad track on it, not even an average track. Apart from the aforementioned opener, Richard Thompson's "Keep Your Distance" is another highlight where the backing seem like sounds effects. There is also a fair amount of humour scattered throughout the album like on "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "We Got Fooled Again". There is some sadness, too, as on "Spring 1919" and "A Hill of Little Shoes", which I also love.
The voices are clear, the three part harmony is perfection and each voice compliments the other two. It's a shame I had not heard of them before, but I have now. Better late than never and this is one of the wonders of exploring music - you never know when you'll unearth talent which others know about but which you, until now, didn't.
This is a class act!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
This is an excellent collection of material gathered from many sources. It is well sung and well constructed. As ever the three part harmony is awesome, but it never detracts from the subject of the song. Traditional and contemporary songs sit easily side by side. My own favourite is 'A Hill of Little Shoes'-a brilliant Clive James poem with a Pete Atkin melody, impeccably delivered in a way that stops you in your tracks as its meaning hits you.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Can't fault it!
Coope Boyes and Simpson have done it again! Gorgeous songs, cracking harmonies! Enough to make us (other acapella harmony singers) want to give up! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Molly Stephenson
as if, ....... I care
I bought "as if..." after some years of interest in CB&S but mainly to catch up with their recorded output after seeing them perform at 'The Musician', in Leicester, earlier this... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jon Stocker
Devastating
Their talent is devastating - and they deserve global recognition. Their cover of Atkin/James 'A Hill of Little Shoes' is one of the most beautiful and saddest songs I've ever... Read more
Published 15 months ago by david brazier
One of their best
CBS have come up trumps again with this fantastic collection of songs. The CD is worth buying just for "A Hill of Little Shoes" and "Spring 1919" both of which are extremely... Read more
Published 18 months ago by AV maestro
Shouldn't have been a suprise!
After intial reluctance at being 'hassled' with this as a recommendation was very glad that I succumbed. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Bridgeburner
Coope Boyes & Simpson - As IF
Fantastic songs sung by incredibly talented singers. All songs are a-capella with occasional body parts used for percussion! Read more
Published 22 months ago by JPM1
Brilliant and sometimes indeed 'devastating' songmaking
This album has a few tracks on it which blow me away every time. 'In the shadow of a hill' and 'this earth is a garden' are truly wonderful, both musically genius and humanly real. Read more
Published 23 months ago by davidos maximos
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