|
PRODIGAL SON
TSCD567
• "Simpson’s rare skill
is to make disparate material seem like the pages of the same short book."
 TNT
• "Martin’s own compositions,
songs and instrumentals form highlights among a disc full of high points
– the disc’s every bar is infused with Martin’s own
musical identity. This excellent and admirably artisan CD will be manna
to the converted, naturally, but, for other purchasers, it’s also
likely to provide an impetus for further exploration both of the actual
material performed and of Martin’s illustrious and extensive back-catalogue
– not to mention garnering a crop of awards along the way I’m
sure." Living Tradition
• "Recklessly talented guitarslinger
returns – Simpson’s achievement is monumental, his aching
singing and the arrangements are perfect and apt. I predict that Never
Any Good will win Best New Song at the BBC’s next Folk Awards."
Songlines
• "The [album] has range, a
relaxed mastery and emotional depth - this is roots music at its richest.
" The List
• "Prodigal Son is a richly
rewarding album and one that should be without question in your collection"
Acoustic
• "Tone, taste and sheer draw-dropping
quality shine though at every turn" Guitar and Bass
• "If you’re the kind
of person who has been waiting in vain for [Ry] Cooder – try this"
The Word
• "New CD is a career high.
Who needs nu-folk when old folk is this good?" What’s On
[Birmingham]
• "A beautiful blend of traditional
English folk and American."
Daily Express
• "His finest solo work yet
– his range and confidence are impressive [and] his playing is delicate,
intricate and classy as ever"
The Guardian
• "Scunthorpe’s favourite
son has been many things to different people through the years. Master
guitarist, inspired accompanist, ace blues interpreter, purveyor of Americana,
champion of traditional song, intense singer. On this laudably mearured
collection, a newly relaxed Simpson proves himself all thee things while
adding “singer-songwriter” to his list of epithets."
Mojo
• "Release of the Week. This
is truly a heritage record, equal to the best produced by that great documenter
of Americana, Ry Cooder, yet the majority of the material is emphatically
English and headily euphoric with it" Scotland on Sunday; The
Scotsman
•
Sunday Times
• "You want to go deep into
music? This is the place. He’s always been a peerless instrumentalist,
now maturity has enriched his vocals"
Daily Mirror
• "This stunning collection
of traditionals, new compositions and contemporary covers stands as possibly
the finest folk album of 2007 so far. Martin’s guitar playing is
beautiful, his singing warm – but the album’s strength is
its emotion. If one album can be both understated and majestic, this is
it."
The Sun
• "I’d be very surprised
if Prodigal Son wasn’t nominated for album of the year – and
equally surprised if it didn’t win." English Dance and
Song
• "This is a ferociously mature
offering, showcasing just how good a player, writer and, importantly,
how good a singer Simpson really is. This album delivers for me on lots
of levels, something few recordings or performers manage. A career highlight
and one of my favourite albums of 2007." Stirrings
• "This latest release is as
imposing and masterful a recording as he has ever made. There’s
an increased subtlety and gentle confidence. Never Any Good surely the
bookies favourite for song of the year. Add it all up and Prodigal Son
amounts to an album of incomparable elegance and demonstrative flair."
Penguin Eggs
"The greatest album of his 30 year
career. The album confirms Martin Simpson’s inexorable rise from
British folk’s prodigal son to one of its grandmasters."
The Weekend Australian
KIND LETTERS
TSCD553
• "Simpson manages both to respect
that tradition and make it sound brand new. Presentation and pacing are
first rate throughout. As if he hadn’t polished this jewel of an
album aplenty, he ends with extra sparkle: Clerk Saunders is a nine and
a half minute tour de force that shows one man, one voice, six strings
and a bit of musing can accomplish." Sing Out
• "Whew, great stuff! This album
is a real page-turner. Kind Letters projects the stellar tales of the
‘heart illuminate’ through his crystal guitar playing, a brilliant
album." Rogue Folk Magazine
• "An excellent body of work,
lovingly constructed out of a personal passion" Acoustic
• "The Flying Cloud is seven
minutes of pure atmospheric beauty" BBC Nottingham
• “Kind Letters is a great
collection of traditional folk songs sung and played by a man who has
an abiding love for and a serious appreciation of the music…..sung
and played by a master"
Maverick
• “Martin’s
playing has never been better or cleaner. On the last cut – Clerk
Sanders – we are treated to an extended introduction which brings
out the full power of his playing – tone, fell and mastery of the
fretboard….this is as good as it gets." Minor 7th Acoustic
guitar music reviews
• “Martin Simpson’s
playing is like a river: a brook of sparkling notes; careering rapids
of riffs; eddies echoing harmonies; cascades that ring; slides slow and
mighty as the Mississippi. ..with Kind Letters these are never merely
dazzling effects. They are all aspects of the river’s current, the
underlying melody and the drama of the songs. Simpson marvellously expresses
the essence of these very different songs in his performance. Martin Simpson
has long been an artist of phenomenal technique; Kind Letters reveals
thoughtfulness, range and maturity to match"
Songlines
• “Simpson is one
of the UK’s finest folk musicians, and his unique gift is to bring
to bear the kind of fluid forward motion usually associated American acoustic
music on the more strident shapes of British traditional song. Kind Letters
is full of spectacular moments.
Sunday Times
• “A masterful interpretation
of traditional balladry. Simpson has created a contemporary folk masterpeice"
Record Collector
• “Another stormer
from the nimble fingers of Mr S" Living
Tradition
• “A beguiling, heartwarming
companion to the moody, atmospheric Bramble Briar"
Independent on Sunday
• “Whereas
2003’s fine Righteousness and Humidity was a showcase for Simpson’s
immense guitar prowess, Kind Letters is all about the voice, which has
never sounded more comfortable – powerful and emotive. This is not
only a must for folkies everywhere but a fine introduction to English
traditional music." HMV Choice
RIGHTEOUSNESS & HUMIDITY TSCD540
•
“It is exquisitely produced and in all aspects is a more than worthy
follow-on from “Bramble Briar” Living Tradition Magazine
• "…this is sixteen tracks
of finger lickin’ goodness…..Love Never Dies is as fine a
piece of songwriting as you’re likely to hear this side of Lyle
Lovett" BBC Radio2 reviews
• "A fierce, uncompromising
album by one of the UK’s greatest guitarist/singers, this time concentrating
predominantly on American music from the Deep South. His passionate set
of this tuff was one of the highlights of this year'’ Cambridge
Festival, but he builds up a rare old head of steam in the studio too.
Many of the tracks are entirely solo but, by sheer depth of personality,
he fills the speakers, and from John Hardy to Wild Bill Jones, he shows
that the devil does indeed have all the best music. "
Mojo
• "Throughout, the guitar playing
is the usual mix of sensitivity and dazzling technique that always complements
the pieces, and the singing sits in with the virtuosity – ass good
as anything he has recorded" FROOTS
• "One of the man’s most
accomplished albums" HMV Choice
• "(Martin) Simpson is well
known for his virtuoso fingerpicking and deft slide playing and both skills
are well in evidence – the sort of portfolio that will see any self-respecting
acoustic player returning to the woodshed" Guitarist Magazine
• "As vibrant and immaculate
as you’d expect." Roots and Branches
• "Top ten folk album of the
year" Mojo
• "An atmospheric and immaculately
performed set" Inverness Courier
• "One of the year’s most
important albums" BBC Radio Roots webpage
• "Certainly the most enjoyable
folk album we have heard for a good while" The Folk Magazine
• "16 wonderful and varied pieces
– a hell of a musical experience. We’ve come to expect no
less of Mr Simpson and he delivers, yet again, another stunning piece
of work to cherish" Penguin Eggs Magazine
• "The singer-guitarist’s
lifelong love affair with the blues gives Martin’s work a depth
and variety that few of his contemporaries are able to match…. should
be required listening for roots music enthusiasts everywhere." Mid
Sussex Citizen
|
Arguably
the finest finger style acoustic guitarist on the planet, Martin
Simpson returns to Topic Records after a break of almost fifteen
years. Surprisingly, this is his first recording of exclusively
English material - predominately traditional, completely English
and totally outstanding. Martin Simpson's guitar and vocals have
never sounded better and classic traditional material is delivered
in subtle and innovative ways.