Reviews and Accolades

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 a Chicago-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