Reviews

New CD BASH CD53

"in paper houses" Pete Coe (2004)

The opening track, Seven Warnings - an anthem no less - must go straight into pole position for Song Of The Year. Great to hear Pete and Chris Coe singing together again on an album of many surprises, not least the stirring use of banjo, a rare blast of brass and the emergence of another beautiful song, I Only Spoke Portuguese.

MOJO - Colin Irwin

… a work of distinction, containing some superb performances and an elegant balance of material.

The Living Tradition - David Herron

I have laughed and cried to this CD which has its own seat in my car. This is going to be a classic so buy it now or sooner!

EDS Magazine - Paul Davenport

A supreme achievement from the "one-man folk festival" himself, a grand merging of ancient and modern, tradition and contemporary creativity.

Folk Roundabout and NetRhythms website - David Kidman

… it ain't fair that one man can play so many instruments this well while being an excellent singer, songwriter and interpreter of songs to boot.

Shreds & Patches - Tim Willets

… an outstanding album, with Pete doing what he does so well, singing and playing from the heart.

Tykes News - M.L.O'Dean

There's a strong bias towards the tradition here. "Banks of Virgie" has all the essential ballad ingredients: a little penknife, a bonny riparian setting and a stupifyingly coincidental sibling reunion with corpses everywhere. "Mermaid", "Outlandish Knight" and "An Acre of Land" are familiar songs it's true, but the kind of thing that Coe has always done so well.
There is also a trio about ritual and celebration: "Northill May Song" (sounding more solemn that many of its kin) and "Wassail Song" are traditional pieces made to accompany a living custom, whereas Colin Cater's "Penny for the Ploughboys" is a rousing whinge-free account of what been largely lost. Perhaps the standout trad item is Boston Burglar, the affecting lyric, the subtle vocal and insistent banjo all make for a riveting performance.
Anyone who's ever been subjected to a mission statement of the bleedin' obvious will love Trevor Carter's wonderful "Tower of Babel" in which the management flipchartists "loved their new language 'cos they'd bugger all to say".

fROOTS - Nick Beale

A great mix and a splendid album.

Folk on Tap - Simon Brown

Pete shows off his versatility and extraordinary musicianship (as usual) throughout the album with his unquestionable talent for mastering any instrument with buttons or strings.

The Folk Mag - Marion Taylor

In short it is a tour de force.

The Living Tradition - Alan Rose

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Cover by Tony Hall

Pete's previous CD ' Long Company ' was voted Folk Album of the month in the July 1998 issue of Mojo magazine.

"Some fine Coe originals, some sparing, tasteful brass arrangements, and a menagerie of instrumentation from the man himself adds up to an album meriting our closest attention."
MOJO Magazine

"It is a sheer delight from start to finish. Pete demonstrates the power of the material with consummate musicianship (5 instruments plus feet!), a maturity of singing style born of raw experience and a deep affection for the songs and accompaniments of exquisite sensitivity."
Pete Wood - English Dance & Song

" .. an album that is perfectly rounded and complete, Coe waltzes through the full range of his impressive box of tricks. And that's the nub of this album's unusual appeal - the old folk club values combine to turn this into an album of unexpected addictiveness."
fROOTS