Towards the end of last year, Martin Simpson released Home Recordings, one of our Featured Albums of the Month, that was reviewed here by Glenn Kimpton. With the constraints of lockdown, the album was simply put together, an all-acoustic solo set recorded by his neighbour and well known folky producer Andy Bell which, in his review, Glenn described as having a relaxed nature featuring a mix of originals, covers and instrumentals. He concludes his review: “Although of course impeccably performed with a huge amount of skill and musical prowess, there is still something pure and beautiful about this music that finely balances it and sets it apart from any other Martin Simpson album I can think of. A wonderful achievement and gratefully received.”
That wasn’t the only musical offering Martin made us…he also joined forces with Nancy Kerr, Adam Holmes, Tom A. Wright and Alex Hunter for Magpie Arc who delivered three EPs between September 2020 and March 2021. On the final EP and track, Martin takes the lead for a cover of Si Kahn’s What You Do With What You’ve Got. In Thomas Blake’s words: “It’s an extraordinarily powerful finale. Simpson gives an impassioned performance, his singing coming across like a more melodic take on Bob Dylan’s early protest songs, while the rhythm is sinuous and even danceable. Despite being over half a century old, the song’s defiant message remains as potent as ever. It is a fitting way to cap a set of EPs whose very existence seems to celebrate the lasting power of musical collaboration at a time when it feels most at threat.”
Many folks may have also missed this release he slipped out on Bandcamp in April this year: Live Before Lockdown, Bootleg 2019 featuring no less than 18 tracks. Grab it here (it’s Bandcamp Friday!)
Also, Martin has written a new song for #HenHarrierDay 2021 titled ‘Sky Dancers’. Although the song won’t be revealed in full until this Saturday, here’s a little snippet that Chris Packham shared:
This year also marks the 20th Anniversary of Martin’s pivotal album ‘The Bramble Briar’. It marked a significant turning point for Martin, a return to Britain after 12 years of travelling across the US, living in various locations from New York and Santa Cruz to New Orleans. He actually started recording it while in the US and finished recording it at Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. In the video below, he talks about how Tony Engle, who was head of Topic Records at the time, had asked him to make an instrumental album; Martin wanted to make an album of songs instead. We’re glad he did. On the album, he is accompanied by Martin Carthy on three tracks and Jessica Radcliff provides backing vocals on two. Both refined and exquisite, this is still very a treasured English folk gem. If you’ve not got it, you shouldn’t hesitate in buying it. Martin has mentioned he will be celebrating its anniversary so keep an eye on his socials.
The Bramble Briar is available to buy on CD or stream and download here: https://smarturl.it/thebramblebriar
Martin Simpson Tour Dates
AUGUST 2021
07 AUG – WICKHAM FESTIVAL
14 AUG – THE DOROTHY PAX, Sheffield
SEPTEMBER 2021
04 SEP – PIERFOLK, Brighton
12 SEP – HITCHIN FOLK CLUB, HITCHIN, Herts
16 SEP – ST IVES SEPTEMBER FESTIVAL, ST IVES, Cornwall
17 SEP – FLAVEL ARTS CENTRE, DARTMOUTH
18 SEP – SOUTH PETHERTON DAVID HALL, South Petherton, Somerset
24 SEP – BRIGG HERITAGE CENTRE, BRIGG
26 SEP – DEEPDALE FESTIVAL, Norfolk
OCTOBER 2021
01 OCT – LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, LIVERPOOL
02 OCT – BREWERY ARTS CENTRE (WITH MARTIN TAYLOR, Kendal, Cumbria
03 OCT – SETTLE VICTORIA HALL(WITH MARTIN TAYLOR), Settle, North Yorks
05 OCT – COLCHESTER ARTS CENTRE (WITH MARTIN TAYLOR), Colchester
07 OCT – GOSFORTH CIVIC THEATRE (WITH MARTIN TAYLOR), Newcastle upon Tyne
14 OCT – CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION (WITH MARTIN TAYLOR), CAMBRIDGE
16 OCT – KINGS PLACE, LONDON
17 OCT – HARTLEPOOL FOLK FESTIVAL
23 OCT – MILNGAVIE, GUITAR WORKSHOP (DAYTIME,)Grampian Way Bearsden
24 OCT – MILNGAVIE, Baljaffray Church, Grampian Way Bearsden
25 OCT – TRAVERSE THEATRE, EDINBURGH, Mid Lothain
27 OCT – EASTGATE THEATRE, Eastgate Peebles
28 OCT – SAGE GATESHEAD, THE MAGPIE ARC – CANCELLED
NOVEMBER 2021
07 NOV – GREEN DUCK BREWERY, Gainsborough Trading Estate
11 NOV – CHAPEL ARTS, St James Memorial Hall, Lower Borough Walls, BATH
12 NOV – HUNTINGDON HALL, CrownGate Worcester
13 NOV – WHITE HORSE FOLK CLUB, Highworth, SWINDON, Wiltshire
14 NOV – TOPSHAM FOLK CLUB, Matthews Hall, Fore Street, TOPSHAM, Devon
26 NOV – THE GOOSE IS OUT, 40 Stuart Road
27 NOV – THE HUNTER CLUB, Bury St Edmunds
For more dates and ticket links visit: https://martinsimpson.com/gigs/