Righteousness & Humidity

Martin Simpson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red House
• ASIN: B0000AOV3B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,211 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Chicago Tribune

"Arguably the finest acoustic guitarist on the planet"

Product Description

Martin Simpson returns with his first US release in 6 years – a stunning collection of tunes and songs he culled over the years he spent living and traveling in the American South. Bearing the common themes of love, murder and/or religion, the music inspired a title based on a comment he once heard in Nashville, "Righteousness and humidity – that’s a dangerous combination!" Recorded in New Orleans and England with RICK KEMP of STEELEYE SPAN and REGGIE SCANLON & DAVE MALONE of the RADIATORS!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Righteousness and Humidity, October 30, 2003

By 

Mangas007 (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Righteousness & Humidity (Audio CD)

This is another fantastic release from one of the world's finest acoustic guitar players. This album is inspired by the traditional music of the American South. It has soulful, introspective intrumental tracks as well as some serious groove based ones. The opening track, John Hardy, is a great example of the influence New Orleans had on Martin's music. Overall, this is a great record and a wonderful compliment to the Bramble Briar, Martin's prior release.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fretboard wizard, December 26, 2004

By 

twangmon (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Righteousness & Humidity (Audio CD)

One of today's finest slide guitarists and interpreters of traditional music, Martin Simpson continues to grow, inspire, and delight with his razor-sharp picking and grainy voice. On this album -- the most sonically diverse of his career -- Simpson swings effortlessly from the crisp, modal twang of his native British Isles to the haunting cry of Delta blues and low-key swagger of New Orleans funk. His timbral palette is huge: In addition to acoustic and electric guitars, he plays 5-string banjo, ukulele, lap steel, and percussion. Sometimes flying solo, but most often backed by various American and British players (including bassist Rick Kemp of Steeleye Span, and guitarist Dave Malone and bassist Reggie Scanlan of the Big Easy's legendary Radiators), Simpson delivers chimey ragtime counterpoint, rippling close-interval melodies, and snarling slide riffs with robust tone and flawless intonation. Whether he's putting a fresh twist on classics like "Rollin' and Tumblin'" and "John Hardy" or digging into vibey originals, Simpson never flaunts his monster chops. Instead, he seduces with mysterious 6-string textures and poignant tales of lost love and drunken murder. Bewitching sounds from a 21st-century troubadour.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hold on there... I LIKE the vocals!, December 5, 2004

By 

applewood (everywhere and nowhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Righteousness & Humidity (Audio CD)

(In response to the review below) This is a GREAT album. The guitar playing (acoustic, electric, slide) is just amazing. The song selection is really fine. And to my tastes, I think these make Martin's voice sound good and appropriate. (I find his vocals on his earlier LIVE weaker, and always prefered his all instrumental COOL AND UNUSUAL and LEAVES OF LIFE). Maybe I'm just getting used to his unique voice, but these tunes are worth enduring practically anything for, and I like his vocals now anyways! (Also check out his similarly fine THE BRAMBLE BRIAR.)