Phil Cooper and Margaret Nelson describe what they do as "Strong Old Music" and sometimes as "songs of love, sex, greed, betrayal, death, revenge and more death". As you may have gathered, their repertoire leans heavily to the traditional side. Margaret's fell in love with British Isles folk songs (mainly ballads) and she takes the alto lead on those that they sing. Phil is an ccomplished guitarist and provides accompaniment to Margaret's vocals along with masterful arrangements of Scottish fiddle tunes. Into that mix throw some more instruments (autoharp, spoons, bodhran and doumbek), some humorous songs, an abundance of jokes and bad puns - the result is a lively and entertaining concert with something for everyone.

Phil and Margaret are from the Chicago area but are no strangers to New England, having performed in the past at the Folkway, the NEFFA festival and for FSSGB. They have appeared at dozens of clubs, societies, coffeehouses and festivals across the country in fourteen years of performing together; they have made eleven recordings at last count.

Discography for Margaret Nelson & Phil Cooper

• Shine Where You Stand [ Porcupine's Progress, pp1112, 1993 ]
• The Only Dance We Know [ Porcupine's Progress, pp1313, 1993 ]
• Pretty Susan[ Porcupine's Progress, pp1112, 1992 ]
• What Fond Delight [ Porcupine's Progress, pp7107, 1989 ]
• Lady's Triumph [ Porcupine's Progress, pp8109, 1990 )
• What Fond Delight [ Porcupine's Progress, pp7107, 1989 ]
• Cooper's Fancy [ Porcupine's Progress, pp7106, 1989 ]
• In the Dead of the Night [ Porcupine's Progress, pp6105, 1988]
• Across the Water [ Porcupine's Progress, pp004, 1987]

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