In the final video interview series for the new album ‘Murmurs’ from Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr, Martin introduces his 1935/36 Gibson L-OO that belonged to Bob Tilling (1944-2011), an artist and blues fan who lived on Jersey. He arrived on the island in the 1960s as the newly appointed Head of Art at Victoria College and was also the only Royal Institute artist on the island. When Martin acquired the guitar he did some restorative work and added a single coil 1960’s De Armond sound hole pickup. De Armond were one of the first successful manufacturers specialising in just pickups. The story is that the founder of the company John Henry De Armond fashioned his first pickup from a coil of a Ford Model A in 1935. One thing is for sure, Martin really know his guitars and these pickups were used by the likes of Lightnin Hopkins and Elmore James, as Martin says so if it was good enough for them “that’ll do as far as I’m concerned.”
Of course if the guitar and pickup is important so is the amplifier. Martin opts for a 1958 Magnatone amplifier which he picked up in Lincolnshire. He jokes “as used by Buddy Holly and Duane Eddy and many other great folk singers”. When you hear the first notes you’ll be wowed. If anything it has made me more curious as to how all instruments will combine. He uses this set-up on The Boston Smuggler on the new album.
The trio’s debut album ‘Murmurs’ will be released on Topic Records on 8 June 2015.
A special 7″ double-A sided vinyl single – Dark Honey/Ruben – will be released on April 20th. Dark Honey written by Nancy Kerr was inspired by the sight of swarms of bees in her urban garden. Ruben is a non-album track, exclusive to this single, a re-working of the American standard also known as ‘Reuben’s Train’.
Simpson•Cutting•Kerr – Murmurs Tour – June 2015
Wednesday 3rd: University Arts, LOUGHBOROUGH
Thursday 4th: The Apex, BURY St EDMUNDS
Friday 5th: The Live Room, SALTAIRE
Saturday 6th: Gate To Southwell Festival, SOUTHWELL
Sunday 7th: St Gregory’s Music Centre, CANTERBURY
Monday 8th: Croydon Folk Club, CROYDON
Tuesday 9th: The Lantern, Colston Hall, BRISTOL
Wednesday 10th: Barnfield Theatre, EXETER
Thursday 11th: Robert Ludlam Theatre, DERBY
Friday 12th: The Met, BURY
Saturday 13th: The Sage, GATESHEAD
Sunday 14th: Theatre By The Lake, KESWICK
Wednesday 17th: The King’s Place, LONDON
Friday 19th: Vivacity Key Theatre, PETERBOROUGH
Saturday 20th: Beverley Folk Festival, BEVERLEY
Monday 22nd: The Village Hall, NETTLEBED, Nr HENLEY ON THAMES
Tuesday 23rd: The Stables Theatre, Wavendon, MILTON KEYNES
Wednesday 24th: Wiltshire Music Centre, BRADFORD ON AVON
Thursday 25th: Ashcroft Arts Centre, FAREHAM
Friday 26th: Forest Arts Centre, NEW MILTON
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