Martin Simpson with, occasionally;
Kellie While (backing vocals)
Andy Cutting (melodeon)
Andy Seward (Bass)
Keith Angel (drums/percussion)
BJ Cole (pedal steel)
Influences
Blind Willie Johnson, Fred Cockerham, June Tabor...much more
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
There is no doubt that after 35 years as a professional musician Martin is, right now, better than ever. Widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, his interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling. His solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving.
There is no-one who has more successfully combined the diverse elements of British, Afro-American and old-timey music than Simpson. His 15 years living in the US were well spent. In addition his own songwriting he has produced some real gems, from the truck-stop epic, “Love Never Dies” to the profoundly moving “Never Any Good”.
His career includes collaborations on stage and record with June Tabor, Kelly Joe Phelps, Jackson Browne, Danú, Martin Carthy, Cara Dillon, David Lindley, Roy Bailey, Martin Taylor, David Hidalgo, Steve Miller, Dick Gaughan and many more.
Simpson is a very regular nominee in the BBC Folk Awards and received Musician of the Year in 2002 and 2005, a nomination in 2009 and album of the year for Bramble Briar in 2002. 2008 saw an incredible 5 nominations and 2 wins. Whether playing American old-time music, blues, a Dylan song or his own material, Martin Simpson is unpredictable, individual and a guitarist of immense subtlety.
cool telecaster I hope we find someplace. I'm going to have a serious jones going by next year. Maureen and I are going to play with tony M in Oct in Toronto have a good summer( hi terry and kit) timf
We saw you at Grimsby last week. I was told you know your way around a guitar..... what an understatement. I can't wait 'till next time, hopefully soon
I stood within your wet audience yesterday at the Brosella festival. Happy to see and hear you on stage for the first time. I found your set too short (and the sound of your guitar not as near to the acoustic sound as I'd dream).
Hi Martin Thanks very much for becoming a friend of The Living Tradition. We are re-launching our myspace to include more gig dates and news than it is possible to include in The Living Tradition magazine. To keep up to date with news and gigs from around the UK folk music scene please subscribe to our BLOG and our FRIEND UPDATES on your myspace home - and don't forget to tell us what you are up to. All the bestThe Living Tradition Team
YAY! Great news that you are working on a new album. Can't wait to hear it! Best wishes for a wonderful studio experience. (No technical glitches, just music music music!)
hi martin, thanks for inspiring me to explore every dimension of the acoustic guitar. and the importance of each string played. have a great 2009. any chance of you playing in south of Ireland this year? you have a lot of fans here!
And a happy New Year to you too sir, good to see you in Castleton just before Christmas, although I concede that it's hard to recognise the blonde woman who asked for Love Never Dies at Lymm when she's dressed as a Morris Fool, so I forgive you for not stopping and chatting!
Hi Martin, Thanks for the add. I had the opportunity to play one of your Simpson Sobell signature models on a recent visit to Stefan's. Jaw dropping! Your both an inspiration. Kind regards
