Customer Reviews

True Stories

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I saw Martin for the first time live in Leamington Spa (UK) last night and was bowled over. I'd only recently discovered him via the 'That's Proper Folk' compilation (available at a stupidly low price!That's Proper Folk ) and immediately began hoovering-up Martin's back catalogue.

If someone had told me that he was a guitar virtuoso with a folky voice, I would have ran a mile expecting his albums to be pleasant but dull. However, they're nothing of the sort. What strikes me is the range of styles that are present on his albums. They're rich in detail, broad in the sense that many genres are expertly covered and, so far, every album contains a geniune tear-jerker. To be moved by music is one of life's great joys and you really feel that Martin reaches out to his audience and really connects.

The True Stories album sounds simply gorgeous. Unforgetable songs and instrumentals that'll you'll be humming quietly to yourself whilst staring at the rain or the approaching dusk. A soundtrack to a real life.

I can't believe I spent so long listening to music without Martin coming onto my radar. Now I feel like a disciple who wants to tell the world about this great music.

Martin Simpson is the 'best of the best'. And this is yet another masterful recording. The two images that come to mind are of a taste of single malt whiskey and an elaborate hex sign hanging on a barn (to ward off the evil in this world).

SINGLE MALT - An acquired and complex taste (enjoyed neat of course). This is not perhaps the best Simpson to start with (an earlier COOL AND USUAL is a fantastic instrumental CD, & the recent PRODIGAL SON is his best), but it is like a fine single malt, beginning with a smooth sweet taste but leading to rich full flavoures that range from smokey to astringent, earthy and strong. The rhythms are sometimes off-beat and the instrumentation subtle and masterful. This is not simple or plain. It is refined and rare.

HEX SIGN - An intricate colourful symbol hung to ward off evil, or at least what we know is possible but unwanted. This varied collection of 13 songs and tunes is a mix of traditional English folk arrangements and (7) Simpson originals, which sound traditional. A few are upbeat and light, but most are absolutely beautiful songs about terrible tales - perhaps offered like a hex sign to ward off the worst possible of outcomes.

Simpson is amazing and seemingly relatively unknown, and thus under-appreciated. Everything he has produced is good, much of it great. Trust me that you can't go wrong with his blend of traditional folk and modern sensibility, and that this latest release continues in his string of outstanding recordings...