Running time: 130 minutes, Cert E

Recorded live at the Union Chapel, Islington, London, 13th November 2007.

THIS DVD IS PAL FORMAT AND ALL REGIONS (REGION FREE)

(DISCLAIMER! PAL FORMAT is the standard system for Europe, Australia and New Zealand and this DVD will play on any DVD player in these regions. If you live in North America, Japan or many other countries, you must have a DVD player and television that can play PAL FORMAT discs. If in doubt, please check your manufacturer's handbook before ordering.)

Here on this special DVD, Martin takes us on a 2 hour live journey through that album, expanding and reinterpreting as only he can - and throws in a few more tunes for good measure. Filmed at a special concert at the Union Chapel in London, this professionally shot DVD has superb 5.1 sound and looks and sounds great. Martin is on top form, with the DVD highlighting his virtuoso playing and also the quality of his collaborative work when he is joined by Andy Cutting on Diatonic Accordion, Andy Seward on double bass and Kelly While on backing vocals. The evening is topped off by a stunning version of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award's song of the Year, NEVER ANY GOOD.

As an added bonus, there is a unique short film made by Martin called YOU CAN GO HOME retracing the steps of his youth under the shadows of the blast furnaces in his native Scunthorpe. It is both a revealing and, at times, highly humorous backwards glance.

Everyone knows that Martin Simpson is one of the greatest guitarists in the world, combining immaculate technique with a highly musical sensitivity and sensibility.

His last album was a breakthrough, establishing him as a songwriter of real character and understanding as well as a master musician, propelling him to a new level in his career. Always energetic, always resourceful and never content to stand still, Martin continues to grow as an artist, musician and composer, putting his all into each new project, with the result that "True Stories" is his best album yet.

"True Stories" is evenly divided between traditional songs and tunes (English and American) and Martin’s original compositions. It ranges from solo guitar instrumentals to full band arrangements featuring some of the finest musicians anywhere: Danny Thompson on bass, Radiohead’s drummer Philip Selway, B J Cole on pedal steel, fiddle from Bellowhead’s frontman, Jon Boden and accordion from Andy Cutting .... and many others.

Many of Martin’s good friends and favourite artists appear with him on the album, including Jackson Browne who adds a perfect harmony vocal to Martin’s beautiful version of randy Newman’s Louisiana 1927. Kate Rusby and Kellie While sing sublime harmonies on two of the tracks - Never Any Good [Martin’s song for his father] and Batchelor’s Hall. The album is further enhanced by Danny Thompson on bass, Andy Cutting on accordion, Alistair Anderson on concertina and Northumbrian pipes and Barry Philips on cello.

"Prodigal Son is a triumph" Verity Sharp, BBC Radio 3 Late Junction

- "The [album] has range, a relaxed mastery and emotional depth - this is roots music at its richest." The List

- "A quiet masterpiece. There are classic English ballads, excursions into Americana and a clutch of open-hearted originals - resulting in an album of easy elegance." Observer Music Monthly

Martin's unequalled talents on guitar, banjo and vocals are joined by a host of outstanding musical accompanists including Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Chris Parkinson and members of the celebrated Irish group, Danu, to produce what is probably Martin's best album to date.