Cooper & Nelson call it a day

Subject: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 01:32 PM

January 28, 2011 was the last official concert the Margaret Nelson and I performed. We had a great time. Kate Early, who had sung with us for thirteen years, was also on hand. Margaret and I had been playing out since 1982. The last few years, we hadn't gotten out as much. I was also starting to play out more with my life partner, Susan Urban, as February Sky. Margaret was interested in doing more peace and ecology movement songs. Since last night's date was the last one on the current calendar, we thought this might be a good time to just say it was the last one.

Great turnout. Susan and I did a February Sky opening three songs and a tune set. Margaret opened the second half with three of her new songs. Kate, Margaret, and Bob Holdsworth and I did the formal two sets and we all sang The Poor Ditching Boy as a grand finale. You can still get recordings from all the years from me (and through Camsco) and www.coopernelsonearly.com is still up and running. You can also see performances on youtube at tradfolky1 of all the various incarnations I'm involved in.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: GUEST,GUEST, Dave in Michigan
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 02:11 PM

Thanks for all the good songs, Phil and Margaret and Kate.

-D

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 02:52 PM

You're welcome, Dave. When we picked which songs we were going to sing for this show, it was a blast rehearsing them. Some of the guitar parts, I discovered, we're high maintainence. They did come back and stay in long-term enough memory for the show.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Maryrrf
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 02:57 PM

Nothing stays static, and there comes a time when one knows that in order to grow and follow our hearts, we must move on. You and Margaret (whom I have seen live) and Kate Early, whom I have heard on recordings)made wonderful contributions to the world of folk music during the years you were together. I know that you and many others treasure the memories and the songs. Best wishes to you and to Margaret as you take your music off in your own respective directions, and follow your paths.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Susan of DT
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 03:04 PM

I have really enjoyed your recordings, particularly those of the less know ballads.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 05:04 PM

Thanks, I always liked doing ballads, we're still doing some as February Sky,too. I was particularly pleased that we got a good video of Margaret singing Lord Thomas and Lady Margaret posted recently.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: GUEST,Tinker in Chicago
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 07:40 PM

Well, I still have the videotape of your performance at Molly's Place some years back. Better than nothing.

Molly and I have been trying to retire the act for awhile now, but we seem to be making as much progress as Bret Favre.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: MAG
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 08:02 PM

Things change. I'll enjoy the recordings I have.

Best to Margaret. (Don't know Kate, but best to her too.)

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 09:33 PM

I've attended a few of your concerts. I'm sorry to hear you won't be touring anymore, but thanks, thanks, to both of you for presenting interesting music, beautifully performed.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 11:25 PM

Phil, my best to you and Susan and to Margaret and Kate. I have very fond memories of your performances at the Folk Center in Mountain View. And particularly appreciate that you introduced me to "Master of the Sheepfold". Though I have since heard other versions, and some good ones, Cooper and Nelson remains my favorite. Since you all will be continuing to perform, the hole you leave will not be as large, but you did have a blend of voices and your guitar that worked quite well together. Hope to hear February Sky one of these days.

Elliott H.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 05:51 AM

Greetings Phil, Reading through the earlier posts I find myself in agreement with everything Maryrrf says. I remember well hearing you all at Dennis & Judy's house concert a few years ago.What a pleasure that was. Thanks for that and Good Luck to February Sky. Burl.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Brian Peters
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 09:09 AM

Enjoyed working with you at Fox Valley last September. Best of luck with the future projects, and keep singing those ballads!

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 11:40 AM

Still planning to keep ballads in the repertoire, Brian. Elliott, I remember having a good time at the folk center. Tinker, you can catch some other songs of ours on the youtube channel.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Susan Urban
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 08:34 PM

Elliott H., Susan Urban here, Phil's life partner and musical partner in February Sky. We appreciate saying that you'd like to see us some time. We, on the other hand, would love to play in Arkansas. Any venues that you could recommend? We do a combination of traditional music, trad-based modern songwriters, and my trad-based originals. We're at www.februarysky.com. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Hope to meet you some time.

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Brian Peters
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 04:57 AM

Is Len Holton still running the folk club in Little Rock?

Subject: RE: Cooper & Nelson call it a day
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 09:59 AM

I'm not sure if he still is, Brian. I haven't seen him in years. He's a great performer, too.