Brian is The Fo'c'sle's popular resident MC and regular floor-spotter. As well as being a member of numerous groups over the years, such as Double Cross (with Pete Harris), Cat's Whiskers and Hooper &
Fry (with Tony Fry), he has been on the folk scene in Southampton and surrounding areas so long many of us can't remember that far back.
Who has not heard his inimitable rendering of Graham Penny's The Channels (in fact his own arrangement, with a specially extended instrumental to fit a film sequence once upon a while)? Who hasn't doubled up laughing at his exquisitely resurrected 1.45? Or his key-changing Kisses Sweeter than Wine (once used to put off an obtrusive and unwanted accompaniment, though he would normally welcome anyone joining in)? Not a prolific songwriter himself, he nevertheless has one or two respectable compositions to his name. When it comes to rendering a serious standard (and he knows some unusual ones, if that isn't a contradiction) he is up there with the best for beauty and memorability.
Brian is also author of the long-running and always interesting Hooper's Column in Folk on Tap.
He released his first solo CD in 2002, 'Hooperman in the Can' which may be had at The Fo'c'sle or by contacting him direct.
Track List:
- The Little Tailor (trad. arr Hooper)
- God said (Hooper)
- When the roll is called up yonder (Black)
- The Monmouth rebel (Hooper)
- The Lakes of Pontchartrain (trad. arr Hooper)
- Stranger on the road (Hooper)
- Loch Lomond (trad. arr Hooper)
- The ballad of Jack the Painter (Hooper)
- East Virginia blues (trad. arr Hooper)
- Barbara Allen (trad. arr Hooper)
- Waiting to hear (Hooper)
Jeff Henry and Brian Hooper
Check out Jeff Henry on Brian's new website (see above)
A SCoFF web page, © SCoFF 2007