Ray Cooper (singer-songwriter)


Ray Cooper, also known as Chopper, is a British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living in Sweden.

Initial musical collaborations and session work

Cooper's first professional band was Amazorblades together with Rob Keyloch and Ben Mandelson. They were a punk/jazz outfit who toured extensively and recorded the single "Common Truth" in 1977 for Chiswick Records.
Between 1981 and 1982 Cooper played with the London-based band OK Jive, who signed to CBS in 1981. In 1983, he played bass guitar and bugle with The Mighty Clouds of Dust on their single release Flowers on the Wall / Champion / Mr.Custer.
In 1983, Cooper joined the World Music group 3 Mustaphas 3 where he played cello and sang under the name of Oussack Mustapha, alias The Nightingale of Szegerely. He recorded two albums with them for Globe Style Records. They also recorded a single with Agnes Bernelle produced by Phil Chevron and Elvis Costello. Cooper left the group in 1986. He performed in a reunion of six group members at the 30th Anniversary concert for fRoots magazine at the Roundhouse in London on 22 January 2010.

Member of Oysterband

Cooper was a member of Oysterband between 1989 and 2013.

Discography

With Amazorblades

Common Truth 1977

With Yachts

  • ''Without Radar''

With OK Jive

To You 1982 On Route 1982

The Mighty Clouds of Dust

  • "Flowers on the Wall" / "Champion " / "Mr.Custer" 1983

With 3 Mustaphas 3

Bam! Mustaphas Play Stereo, 1985From the Balkans to Your Heart: The Radio Years, 1986

With Oysterband

As Oyster BandRide Freedom and Rain
As OysterbandDeserters Holy Bandits Trawler The Shouting End of Life Deep Dark Ocean Here I Stand Rise Above 25 Meet You There The Oxford Girl and Other Stories Ragged Kingdom
Live albumsLittle Rock to Leipzig Alive and Shouting Alive and Acoustic 25th Anniversary Concert DVD Northern Light
Compilation albumsThe Rough Guide to World Music The Rough Guide to English Roots Music Pearls from the Oysters This House Will Stand , double album containing alternate versions and demos

Solo

Tales of Love War and Death by Hanging CDPalace of Tears CDBetween The Golden Age & The Promised Land CD and LPLand of Heroes CD and LP

Other published material

Ray Cooper Songs songbook

Awards