Customer Reviews

Prodigal Son

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Another majestic album from British trad-folk singer-songwriter Martin Simpson, a veteran performer who also, by the way, picks one helluva fine acoustic guitar. This album is a summary of all that is best about his career, the elegant bridging between traditional and contemporary folk, with equal shares of Celtic, English and American influences. There are ancient ballads such as "Little Musgrave" and "Andrew Lammie," as well as two of Simpson's finest and most personal original compositions, "She Slips Away," written after his mother died, and "Never Any Good," a song about his father. Throughout, there is achingly beautiful guitar work, reminding us yet again why Simpson has long been considered one of the best players in the modern English folk scene. Certainly one of the finest trad-folk albums of the last few years. (DJ Joe Sixpack - Slipcue music reviews)

What an amazing album this is.The guitar playing is mesmerising and the lyrics are heartwrenching.The first track Batchelors Hall,all I can say is Wow!I've been there, it's an amzingly sad tune but it's truly a great song.Great banjo tune on Pretty Crowing Chicken.Then She Slips Away,written by Martin while his mother slipped away from this life at her bedside.I always enjoyed Planxtys version of Little Musgrave,but here again Martin gives it his own style.My own favourite is A Love Letter.It has an amazing guitar lick that just cries out to you.Before I bought this cd my own personal favourite folk cd would have been Welcome Here Kind Stranger by Paul Brady way back in the '80s.I've waited almost 30 years to hear a greater album and it has arrived in the form of Prodigal Son.I can't compliment this album enough.It's music from the top shelf.Brilliant.Looks like i'll be checking out his extensive back catalogue and I'm not complaining.Nice one Martin.Thanks for re-invigorating my cd collection.Thanks for the best album in 30 years.

A truely masterful recording from one of the world's greatest guitarists/multi-instumentalists.... This IS the best Martin has produced (Amazon reviewer is right on)! Combining about a dozen heartfelt (mostly traditional) songs with a few lovely instrumentals this CD gives us consistent achingly beautiful music - lively, complex, masterful guitar playing and polyrhythmic acoustic accompaniment (yeah bassist, Danny Thompson!). Deeply satisfying - a real treat!

Martin Simpson is one of my favorite guitarists, and he really shines on this album. Whether he is playing traditional tunes or his originals, on the acoustic guitar, resonator guitar or banjo, the instruments sing along with him. What I think sets Simpson apart are his tone and his phrasing. His beautiful guitar technique produces a tone that is warm and yet brings out the subtleties of his melodies. And because he approaches guitar playing as a vocalist would, his lines breathe and ebb and flow like the words of a fine singer. The accompanying players (concertina, accordion, etc.) and singers are also outstanding.

There are so many good tracks on this album, but the one that has been running through my head for over a month (in a good way) is "Never Any Good." This track alone is worth the price of the recording, but the whole album holds together very well, and it's worth hearing it all in context. I recommend it highly.

For anyone who actually likes musical music,the kind you really listen to as opposed to noise with a beat, this is the album for you.The other reviewers have done eloquent justice to this piece of music so I need say no more.