Info' reqd on Ronnie Cooper

Subject: Info' reqd on Ronnie Cooper
From: GUEST,Nfkfiddler
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 11:43 AM

I am seeking information on Ronnie Cooper.   I believe he was a Shetland accordian player composing tunes including 'Headland' and 'Miss Susan Cooper'.   Who indeed was Susan?

Subject: RE: Info' reqd on Ronnie Cooper
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 06:57 PM

From what I can remember of the notes to an old LP Ronnie is the composer of several fine fiddle tunes including the reels 'The Left Handed Tuskar' and 'Miss Susan Cooper' (named after his daughter). I think he also composed the wonderful slow air 'Leaving Lerwick Harbour'.

You could also try posting a query on the foot stompin' message board.

Subject: RE: Info' reqd on Ronnie Cooper
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 07:16 PM

Just checked the LP and I was wrong to attribute 'Leaving Lerwick Harbour' to Ronny Cooper; it was composed by Willie Hunter. It appears on the same track of the LP as the two reels by Ronny Cooper, hence my confusion.

The LP is Shetland Fiddle Music issued on Tangent label TNGM 117 in 1973 as number 4 in the Scottish Tradition series of recordings from the School of Scottish Studies. I'm sure it has been reissued on CD by Greentrax. Well worth listening to.

'The Left-handed Tushkar' (not Tuskar!) is a reference to the Shetland peat-cutting tool.

The notes also add that the Shetland Times Press had recently (meaning in 1973) published two volumes of Ronny's tunes.

Subject: RE: Info' reqd on Ronnie Cooper
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 05:09 AM

Thanks Matthew.   Some great tunes but doesn't seem to be much info' out there on Ronnie himself.

Subject: RE: Info' reqd on Ronnie Cooper
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 10:38 AM

No, there isn't a lot on the internet about Ronnie/Ronny, who died in 1982, but there are certainly still many musicians around in Shetland and elsewhere who were infuenced by him, or who played in sessions and at dances with him.

You could try contacting Nigel Gatherer for some information as a start: he has made a Discography of Shetland Fiddle Music on his website.

I don't think that the Shetland Fiddlers Society which Tom Anderson founded has got a website or email address, but I'm sure that contact by post would provide some interesting information.

The group Hom Bru also owe a lot to Ronnie's teaching and influence.

Good luck with your research. I very much like the tunes of his that I've heard, and it would be good to hear more of his music.

PS There is a tune John Pottinger's Compliments to Ronnie Cooper which probably has an interesting story to it.

Subject: RE: Info' reqd on Ronnie Cooper
From: Gedpipes
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 12:34 PM

Not about Ronnie Cooper.
Matthew thanks for pointing the way to Nigel Gatherers site.
He has put together a fabulous resource for Beginners.
Cheers
Ged