Martin Simpson - Real Talent!

Subject: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: folkfan73
Date: 21 May 04 - 07:56 PM

I can not remember what date Martin Simpson came to the local theatre, in Lincolnshire, but when he played live folk music, he made music out of this world, the music that took you into a relaxed state. He has real talent! I have a signed CD called "The Bramble Friar". Has any one else saw him live?

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 May 04 - 08:26 PM

yeh I've seen him and he is really good - particularly at playing the guitar. he's one the few guys who makes the DADGAD tuning really work smoothly - not just just the tricksy rhythm guitar of fiddle bands or the rumpety bumpety thing employed by so many Carthy copyists - most of whom haven't looked properly at Martin Carthy's very weird technique.
Although to be honest and fair it isn't easy to see or appreciate everything MC is getting up to unamplified in a folk club.

Back to Simpson - I particularly love his version of creeping Jane. he's a lincolnshire lad I believe and comes from the north of that large county where that folksong comes from. the only other time I heard a folk singer use the DADGAD thing so smoothly and perfectly was Tony Rose when he used to do Thorneymoor woods.

I wonder if anybody remembers that lovely song Rosie Hardman wrote about Martin Simpson - Louisiana - about martin singing Randy newman's Louisiana. Ages since I heard it.

Martin Simpson was on telly at the folk awards a while back, and he played John Hardy - what was it the King said in Amadeus "too many notes" - too many for me that is. I preferred Lonnie Donegans version. I'm sure Martins fans loved it however.

I believe one of the Fureys was once asked why he played the pipes so fast, and he answered - because I can. Its a fair answer and I suppose its only the virtuoso who can aspire to play that fast... I think, perhaps I'm wrong, that Martin is a little bit like that sometimes - the technique gets in the way of the song. perhaps I'm the only one who thiks that though - he's certainly some kind of magician as a guitarist.

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: michaelr
Date: 21 May 04 - 08:37 PM

I've seen MS a few times over the years, and he truly is a wizard, not only at the Celtic thing, but also at bluesy slide guitar.

One correction -- I believe he plays not in DADGAD primarily but in a low-C tuning. He is also North American distributor of the incredible Sobell guitars.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 May 04 - 08:46 PM

I stand corrected

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: JohnB
Date: 21 May 04 - 09:27 PM

I have about four of his studio cd's and one live cd called "Bootleg USA" at least I think that's what it's called. Anyhow the live CD is absolutely Brilliant. I was hoping to be able to see him live on our just ended trip to England, he was in Bury one night when I was close, I did not manage to make it though. I think he actually plays in a few different tunings. Funny how both him and Nic Jones play/played so many of the same songs.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 22 May 04 - 06:25 AM

Martin plays plenty of tunes in Open C Modal, and also plenty in DADGAD, as well as drop-D and Open G as well.

A fairly comprehensive list of the tunings he used on his various CDs can be found here Martin Simpson Tunings

There is no question but that he is among the very greatest guitar players in the world today. I have been to several of his workshops when he lived in the States, and I just cannot get to grips with his technique.

The way he gets that rapid-fire effect by flicking his fingernails off the ball of his thumb is just unique. I have never seen anybody else come close to it.And that is only part of the man's prodigious abilities...

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: sledge
Date: 22 May 04 - 06:29 AM

I've seen him a couple of times and the gigs are allways way too short, for me anyway. Bramble Briar is a cracking album, quite deserving of all the positive revues it recieved.

Sledge

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: black walnut
Date: 22 May 04 - 10:40 AM

I'm so jealous. If he ever comes to Canada I'll be there! I have LOTS of his CDs - "Cool and Unusual" is at the very top of the list. It's a PERFECT instrumental CD - it flows just right from beginning to end.
His wife Jessica Ruby Simpson is a good songwriter...we do "Come to Light" at our song circle (always on the hunt for good chorus songs).

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 22 May 04 - 11:05 AM

And he's a Yellowbelly like me! But, sadly, there the similarity ends!
J :0)

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: Mudlark
Date: 22 May 04 - 12:13 PM

Living in the middle of nowhere as I do, I felt very lucky to have seen MS in concert, in an intimate setting, less than 100 people. Concert sponsored by our local folk music club and held at a winery, so break between sets equally pleasing. I got there early so I could get a front row seat. I aspire to no great guitar playing but am simply awed and amazed at his technique and ability, even tho I too feel that technique, for all the great guitarists (felt the same about Peter Finger, for instance) tends to get in the way of the song. Brilliance is awe-inspiring, but can also be blinding.

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: black walnut
Date: 22 May 04 - 01:31 PM

Listening to my CD's which are a combination of technique, passion and imagination, I find it difficult to imagine what you're saying Mudlark. I've had that feeling with some people but not with M.S.

100 people? That would be fantastic - it's almost as good as a house concert.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 22 May 04 - 07:48 PM

I saw him years ago, about 1983, in a small folk club in London. Excellent concert. Wonderful guitarist. Witty talker to. Created great banter between him and the audience.

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 May 04 - 03:29 PM

should have mentioned this before. there is a terrific interview in the new folk song magazine song book this month with yer man

www.song-book.co.uk

also articles on josh Ritter, Shona Kipling, Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez, Allan Taylor, Tony McPhee and Po Girl, Emily Druce, Redbird, Quiet loner, Kirsty McGee and many more

felt I owed them a favour after they gave my cd a nice review last quarter

Subject: RE: Martin Simpson - Real Talent!
From: el ted
Date: 24 May 04 - 10:30 AM

I have seen him many times as well, and he is great. The finger flicking trick Murray mentioned is a flamenco technique known as rasgueado.