Martin Simpson

An exhibition exploring the history of Topic Records, at Barbican Centre Music Library. We also have a ticket competition for two very special live events – featuring Eliza Carthy, in conversation with journalist Colin Irwin and Topic’s David Suff (plus acoustic performance) and an evening of the same featuring two supreme folk guitarists, Martin Carthy & Martin Simpson.

Our Song of the Day is taken from The Shee‘s live performance of their Continuum project at Celtic Connections 2016. Each member of the band nominated a collaborator to work with and Laura-Beth Salter chose Martin Simpson.

Next month, folk singer Nancy Kerr will curate a series of events at London’s Kings Place exploring dialogues that spring from our environment and our relationships with, and within it, through literature, music, and song.

Jon Boden compiles The Ultimate Guide To English Folk, a lavish two-disc primer designed to appeal to experienced folkies and newbies alike. It is not the first such collection, but it is probably the most wide-ranging, lovingly compiled and inventively sequenced. One of the most important messages to take from this compilation is that while folk music in England is something of an extended family, it is by no means …

We have a warm and in-depth chat with Buck Curran (Arborea) who has just released his solo album ‘Immortal Light’ and started his own label ‘Obsolete Records’. We talk about his influences and have a very interesting chat about the music of Martin Simpson, Robbie Basho and more.

That Flemons and Simpson are able to rework and revive the tensions and turmoils that fester in blues and folk music is the deepest tribute a musician can pay to their forebears, as well as the only way to bring those ghosts back to life.

Listen to Martin Simpson and Dom Flemons performing John Hardy from their forthcoming new album ‘Ever Popular Favourites’ which features twelve scintillating, exuberant and emotional performances recorded during the duo’s sell-out Autumn 2015 tour.

Listen to Martin Simpson , Andy Cutting and Tom A. Wright performing a storming version of classic Booker T. instrumental ‘Green Onions’! This, along with a newly-remastered vinyl version of Shirley Collins’ English Songs Volume 2 are two Record Store Day releases we’re excited about.

Featuring Martin Simpson, Karine Polwart, Robert Plant, Ryley Walker, Jacqui McShee and more, a Bert Inspired proved to be an excellent show, and a fitting tribute to a folk legend.

Old Adam marks the welcome return of Fay Hield to the studio, reaffirming her status as one of Britain’s leading singers across the spectrum of traditional and contemporary folk music. Fay is also our Artist of the Month for February.

Read our Live Review of The Shee’s launch of their Continuum Project at Celtic Connections also featuring Karine Polwart, Chris Wood, Andy Cutting, Kathryn Tickell and Martin Simpson.

In our ongoing ‘Guest Feature’ The Shee tell us all about their tenth anniversary Continuum project and their nominated collaborators. For their latest post Laura-Beth tells us about her choice – Martin Simpson.

To mark their ten-year milestone The Shee announce new collaborative project ‘Continuum’ featuring a host of well known folk composers. We will be hearing from each band member over the next six weeks in a special Folk Radio UK feature.

We have a stunning song premiere today from Fay Hield with Green Gravel taken from her forthcoming album, Old Adam, and her new digital single released to coincide with three special live shows this month!

Joy of Living is a Tribute album to Ewan MacColl which features performances from an all-star cast including Waterson:Carthy, The Unthanks, Dick Gaughan, Martin Simpson and Jack Steadman & Jamie MacColl performing ‘The Young Birds’, our Song of the Day.

Named after a Sheffield landmark, Richard Hawley’s eighth studio album, Hollow Meadows, finds one of Britain’s greatest songwriters in good company, including Martin Simpson, Jarvis Cocker and Nancy Kerr for one of his finest albums yet.

Our Song of the Day is Richard Hawley’s Heart Of Oak, a heartfelt tribute to those that have nurtured and influenced him including Norma Waterson who is directly referenced in the lyrics. It’s taken from his new album Hollow Meadows which features Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr and Jarvis Cocker.

Underneath the Stars Festival which is co-run by Kate Rusby and situated near Barnsley have put together a great line up. The festival is running for three full days this year and artists include Mary Chapin Carpenter, Eddi Reader, Martin Simpson, Bruce Molsky, Bob Fox, The Young’uns, Damien O’Kane, Keston Cobblers Club, Siobhan Miller, Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston, Luke Daniels and Jim Causley. Watch our video preview.