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"February
Sky held a
fabulous concert for our group near St. Patrick's Day. They put their own fresh
take on the music while honoring the traditional core of the folk music that
got us interested in the genre to begin with.
A refreshing return to the roots." --Elaine Moore - Edgar's Place
volunteer Phil Cooper and Susan Urban
appear to have put their lives together and landed in the upper peninsula of Michigan. They have mixed Susan’s songwriting
with Phil’s love of traditional musical approaches, and this CD is a good effort, blending these loves. Susan’s
lyrics are clear, direct and along themes many folks face. Five songs on this CD are her originals. For example, she offers
the perspective of a woman who died serving in Iraq.
‘If you were in Hell’ is a cute example of a messed up marriage. Also, the song for her father is endearing and
certainly captures real events of their relationship. To round out the album, Phil has collected some unusual songs, and written
one, which adds interest as well. The instrumentation of guitar, fiddle, mountain dulcimer and bass flute gives an almost
Elizabethan feel to this collection. Recorded with friends, this sounds much
like you've been invited into their home for a Sunday afternoon where they put all those voices and talents together. --J.W.
McClure, Victory Review Acoustic Music Magazine
"February Sky is an Upper Peninsula-based duo who travels the country bringing their unique style of music to
coffee houses and Unitarian Churches. This will not be your typical coffee house
music. You will hear incredible music that you will not hear anywhere else, guaranteed.
I have known these folks for many years and have enjoyed every performance.
Susan Urban is a Chicago songwriter, and Phil plays
the guitar in an outstanding open tuning style. Don’t miss this concert." --Lloyd Michalsen, The Door Jam, Sister
Bay, WI
"February Sky, a duo consisting of Phil Cooper and Susan Urban, combines
the musical talent and chemistry (this pair has been a long-time “item”!) of Phil’s traditional influences
and beautiful guitar work with Susan’s stellar songwriting, delivering songs that tell stories of lives and feelings,
resonate with messages of social justice, and entertain with quirky humor that adroitly exposes human nature.
In
concert, February Sky presents a delightful pairing of two talented, genuine and personable souls, and an eclectic repertoire
of traditional music, original ballads, silly songs, and much more. The harmony
blend is lovely! The jokes--mainly groaners! You will leave the show smiling and feeling just fine.
The duo’s
new self-titled debut CD is a keeper--18 tracks of all that is February Sky--an interesting mix that makes listening anything
but dull, with well-executed music, moving songs, and lyrics that make you listen closely again and again, to be sure you
got it all.
Stand-outs: “Blue As The Iowa Sky,” a timely ballad about a grandfather
dealing with the loss of his soldier daughter and now caring for his granddaughter , whose eyes, ike her mother‘s, are
“blue as the Iowa sky”; “Relaxed Fit,” detailing the solution to middle-aged spread; great
arrangements of traditional material, with “Spencer the Rover,” “Billy Boy,” and even a Scottish strathspey,
“Auld Wife Ayond the Fire.” Adding their instrumental talent on the CD: Bob Holdsworth, Micky Holdsworth,
Joe Wadz, and Kathy Folkerts." --Lilli Kuzma, host of Folk Festival on
WDCB Public Radio (Glen Ellyn/ Chicago)
"February Sky combines articulate guitar, exhuberant voice, tender emotion, high spiritedness,
and wicked good songwriting into a scintillating pentacle of life experience, philosophical understanding,
and the uncanny." --Maggie Ferguson, Live! From the Living Room Acoustic Showcase, Pontiac, MI
"We wanted you to know that everyone enjoyed your music and are looking forward to your
return! We will look forward to your next visit." --Jim & Cathy LeBlanc, Dancing Crane Coffee House, Brimley,
MI
“You
guys are great – amazing harmonies, sweet instrumental playing. Thanks
for providing us with such a wonderful afternoon of entertainment!” --Chris,
Durty Nellie’s Pub, Palatine, IL
"Your voices blend beautifully, and your instrumental playing is great as well. Great show! We want you back!"
–Al Chaplin, Downtown Grounds Coffeehouse, Marinette,
WI
“You guys do a show that
makes people think and laugh. And your jokes are really terrible.”–Steve
Aultz, Edgar’s Place, Park Forest, IL
“Susan’s originals and Phil’s traditional music unexpectedly complement each other very
well, not to mention that the vocal and instrumental blend is stunning."
–Kathryn
Morski, Deltafolks, Escanaba, MI
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