Find out more about Pete Coe: www.backshift.demon.co.uk
Last appeared at the Grove: June 23rd 2006
Pete Coe
Our first sight of Pete Coe was singing and playing his melodeon, but also dancing - all at the same time. A party piece perhaps, but is an indication of his interest in the origin of the music and song - including the art of dance.
He has a striking voice, and the vigour and sensitivity of his playing is infectious. No wonder he is a regular at Folk at the Grove.
Sam and Ed
October 10th 2008
From Pete Coe’s Website
Taken from Pete’s website and publicity material which can be found at www.backshift.demon.co.uk and there is an interesting section where Pete describes the instruments that he plays.
His strong, distinctive voice is enhanced by his instrumental versatility, the ringing strings of his bouzouki, the sweet chords of his mountain dulcimer, the plaintive frailing banjo and the pulsing reeds of his melodeon. He?s also a country dance creator, caller and band musician. He sings, plays and step dances, sometimes all at once!
Pete has been a professional musician since 1971, playing at festival concerts, clubs, dances and schools throughout Britain, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and USA.
He has recorded ten albums and broadcasts regularly on local and national radio. During the 70s he sang with Chris Coe, was a member of the legendary New Victory Band and with Nic Jones and Tony rose formed Bandoggs. He was also a founder of Red Shift, but since ’85 he has worked mainly as a soloist and earned an enviable reputation.
His performance of Singing Out and Playing gives a flavour of Pete’s singing style and repertoire: “This is a celebration of song music and dance rooted in English traditions. Performed with great skill and energy, presented with authority and good humour. Pete presents a mixture of ancient ballads, modern broadsides, songs of streets and seasons, trades and travels, all learned from songcarriers and songsmiths over many years. Many of Pete’s own songs have proved popular with other singers, some beyond these shores”
Reviews
“One of our most versatile and impressive performers.” (Sidmouth International Festival)
‘From traditional roots he has hewn a gritty style of songwriting, strong on melody and chorus” (The Guardian)
“positively ebullient on stage, step-dancing whilst playing and singing.” (Folk Roots)
“He is positively the most entertaining and exciting perrformer about, giving so much value with sparkling enthusiasm for the music he purveys.” (Andy Leith, folk club organiser in Nottingham)
Recordings
Pete’s latest CD is “In Paper Houses.”
“It has been seven years since his last CD, Long Company, and if his voice is huskier these days, the characteristic bouzouki style is all present and correct. Better yet, appearing on most tracks are Chris Coe and Johnny Adams, long term collaborators totally in sync with Pete?s music. (Taken from Nick Beale”s review)
Pete records for his own CD label, Backshift Music, and be purchased through his website.