Johnny Coppin announces new solo album

Johnny Coppin

River Of Dreams is the eagerly anticipated new studio album from Johnny Coppin, a collection of twelve new songs, all penned by Johnny apart from ‘When The Master Calls The Roll’ written by Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal and Rodney Crowell, ‘The Greenway’ from Jehanne Mehta, ‘The Green Isle’ with words by Alison Brackenbury, and ‘Long Summer’, Johnny’s interpretation of a poem by Laurie Lee. Many of the original songs were written during lockdown over the past year or so, songs about legends, and about separation, ambition, fears and dreams. They include ‘The Bisley Boy’ about the young Elizabeth I dying when In Gloucestershire and being replaced by a local boy as there were no girls who looked like her! Bram Stoker was fascinated and wrote about this story. ‘Song Of The Severn’ about the River Severn, touching on the legend of Sabrina, the goddess of the river, and ‘In The Heart Of The War’, which is a tribute to the men and women of the SOE (Special Operations Executive) working in France during World War II, many of whom gave their lives.

Musicians appearing on the album are Paul Burgess (Old Swan Band, ex-John Kirkpatrick Band) on fiddle and recorder; Dik Cadbury (Julie July Band, ex-Decameron, Steve Hackett) on backing vocals; Geoff March (ex-Decameron) on cello; John Broomhall on piano and organ; Mick Candler (Kevin Brown, Julie July Band) on drums; Gareth Sampson on bass guitar; and Ben Church (ex-Wooden Horse duo) on dobro. The album was jointly produced by Johnny Coppin and David Pickering Pick who also recorded mixed and mastered the album.

Johnny is a singer/songwriter who began his career as one of the founder members of the folk band Decameron. As a solo artist, Johnny has gone on to record over twelve albums including The Winding Stair, Borderland, Edge of Day with writer Laurie Lee, the 30 Songs compilation, and in 2020: Midwinter – Live in concert. Playing guitar and piano, his music is always melodic and evocative.

For many years Johnny toured as a duo with Phil Beer (Show of Hands). He now works solo, and duos with fellow singer/songwriter Mike Silver, and with Paul Burgess, plus as a trio for an annual Christmas tour with Paul Burgess (ex John Kirkpatrick Band) and Dik Cadbury (ex Steve Hackett, and Decameron), see left with Johnny.

Johnny has performed at many festivals, concert halls, and venues large and small. He has also performed tributes to the writer Laurie Lee.

For over twenty years he presented an Acoustic Music programme on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and three other stations across the West.

Artist’s website: http://www.johnnycoppin.co.uk/

‘Song Of The Severn’:

 

Johnny Coppin – River Of Dreams album launch concert

Thursday 7th April 7.30pm
The Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP
Box Office: 01242 258002 www.bacontheatre.co.uk