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Product Description
Product Description
Martin Simpson is the complete natural musician, but his virtuosity on the guitar has often tended to unfairly overshadow his vocal and interpretive powers. His new album PRODIGAL SON demonstrates his further growth as a player, singer and composer, with an eclectic mix of British and American traditional and composed songs as well as some stunning compositions of his own. He has also brought in musicians of superb calibre to enhance the recording. Kate Rusby and Kellie While add backing vocals, there is Danny Thompson on bass and Andy Cutting on accordion and the great Jackson Browne adds vocals to Martin's masterful take on the Randy Newman classic, "Louisiana 1927", a tribute to New Orleans where he lived for several years. Other highpoints are his own compositions "Never Any Good" which he wrote for his father and the instrumental piece "Mother Love" written for his daughter Molly. Housed in a striking digipack, with outstanding photography by David Angel, the complete package is Martin's best to date.
Review
Prodigal Son is the latest album from British folk singer-songwriter Martin Simpson, a man whose musical career has spanned four decades and shows no sign of slowing down. A master of the guitar and dedicated folk-magpie, this album brings together what Simpson does best, blending as it does interpretations of traditional songs from Europe and America with his own compositions, all delivered in glorious, silky, finger-style acoustic guitar. This is not to say that the acoustic is the only string to his bow; through the album Simpson shows his virtuosity with the electric, the lap-slide and even some good ol' huck-a-cluck banjo work on the American folk standard "Good Morning Mr. Railroad Man".
Simpson's vocal delivery often gets overlooked in the rush to praise his guitar playing and can be deceptively simple. This is because it fits its subject matter so well that it blends into the edifice perfectly; a relaxed and gentle timbre which nonetheless carries with it whatever freight of emotion he wishes it to in an effortless way.
Also, while this is technically a solo album, musical and vocal support is very much in evidence. The supremely talented Barry Phillips adds his cello playing, Andy Cutting his melodaeon and Alistair Anderson his concertina (the wonderful La Rivolte) and Northumbrian pipes. Vocal guests include the stellar Jackson Browne, Kellie While and Kate Rusby. The absolute highlight and centerpiece of this album though is a song Simpson wrote about his father, "Never Any Good".
This is a classic folk album with a good injection of Americana and originality; it is composed and graceful while still holding a powerful emotional charge and is a good indication that Simpson is a man in the prime of his creative life. --Harry Holgate
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Livingproof
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Martin Simpson's unequalled guitar technique has now begun to take its place with a quality of lyric and voice, rather than being there just to dazzle, which it always has.
This is a truly great album rewarding repeated listening. There are many and varied excellent songs here, as well as some enchantingly beautiful instrumentals.
Notably there are very welcome new versions of three traditional favourites - 'Lakes of Champlain', 'Little Musgrave' and 'Andrew Lammie' - which stand comparison with any version heard in forty years by this reviewer.
Martin's fabulous self-penned songs here are almost eclipsed by his 'Never Any Good' - quite simply a mucking fasterpiece!
Unless you happen to be of that unfortunate species, for whom folk music is like fingernails on glass, 'Prodigal Son' is compulsory.
No, I mean, don't think about it, buy it NOW! I promise you won't regret it.
This is a truly great album rewarding repeated listening. There are many and varied excellent songs here, as well as some enchantingly beautiful instrumentals.
Notably there are very welcome new versions of three traditional favourites - 'Lakes of Champlain', 'Little Musgrave' and 'Andrew Lammie' - which stand comparison with any version heard in forty years by this reviewer.
Martin's fabulous self-penned songs here are almost eclipsed by his 'Never Any Good' - quite simply a mucking fasterpiece!
Unless you happen to be of that unfortunate species, for whom folk music is like fingernails on glass, 'Prodigal Son' is compulsory.
No, I mean, don't think about it, buy it NOW! I promise you won't regret it.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I am a serial Martin Simpson reviewer - I have now bought 5 of his wonderful albums, and I have reviewed them all. Simply put, I love the arrangements, I LOVE the guitar playing and most of all I love the wonderful songs, which Martin Simpson seems to inhabit as he sings them, allowing the power of these tales of love, life, betrayal and death to show through.
"Prodigal Son" features a wonderful mix of instrumental and vocal pieces, and on this album the material featured is a mix of American and British traditional repertoire. My favourites (at the moment) are "The Granemore Hare", a haunting song about a local hunt, and the hare they are hunting. "Little Musgrave" - my absolute favourite without doubt - a wonderful song about 2 illicit lovers killed by a jealous husband - its a powerful story, and Martin Simpson plays and sings it perfectly - it brings a tear to my eye every time. "Duncan & Brady" is a simple blues ballad featuring guitar playing that is anything but simple, and is one of the most infectious tunes I have heard in a long while.
This album features several Simpson originals too, and they seem very close to his heart - a song thanking his father for being who he was, a love letter and a tune about the death of his mother - they are what make this album different from recent releases, and for me at least they are a welcome addition.
I can put on a Martin Simpson album at any time, and within a few moments I'm transported - all troubles forgotten, immersed in the music. He understands this music better than almost anyone else around, and a lifetime playing and singing it have given him a wonderfully easy presentation. This is his best album yet in my opinion.
"Prodigal Son" features a wonderful mix of instrumental and vocal pieces, and on this album the material featured is a mix of American and British traditional repertoire. My favourites (at the moment) are "The Granemore Hare", a haunting song about a local hunt, and the hare they are hunting. "Little Musgrave" - my absolute favourite without doubt - a wonderful song about 2 illicit lovers killed by a jealous husband - its a powerful story, and Martin Simpson plays and sings it perfectly - it brings a tear to my eye every time. "Duncan & Brady" is a simple blues ballad featuring guitar playing that is anything but simple, and is one of the most infectious tunes I have heard in a long while.
This album features several Simpson originals too, and they seem very close to his heart - a song thanking his father for being who he was, a love letter and a tune about the death of his mother - they are what make this album different from recent releases, and for me at least they are a welcome addition.
I can put on a Martin Simpson album at any time, and within a few moments I'm transported - all troubles forgotten, immersed in the music. He understands this music better than almost anyone else around, and a lifetime playing and singing it have given him a wonderfully easy presentation. This is his best album yet in my opinion.
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By W. Bristow
Format:Audio CD
As you would expect, yet another masterpiece from Martin Simpson. This guy's amazing talent makes you want to listen to his music over, and over, and over again. There are some real gems on this album and I would recommend this to anyone
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
My goodness...this is good
I only discovered Martin Simpson a couple of years ago and since I've bought all of his records. He truly seems to get better and better with each one. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Hitch22
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mellow, melodic, lyrical stuff.
This folk-influenced album by Martin Simpson ticks all the right boxes. His guitar playing is diamond-sharp yet luscious, his melody lines are a treat, backed up by a warm, mellow... Read more
Published on 1 May 2011 by Sentinel
4.0 out of 5 stars
prodigal son
excellent playing of some beautiful folk songs. slide guitar and picking done with equal skill. well worth a listen.
Published on 7 Feb 2010 by R. knott
5.0 out of 5 stars
As good as they say
Not much to add except that I agree with everyone else's rave reviews. My other favourite by Martin Simpson is "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" which is a collection of instrumental... Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2009 by Hugh Janus
3.0 out of 5 stars
Technicaly perfect but too sanitized
Sorry to disagree with all of the other reviews. I think that Martin Simpson is a truly wonderful musician, I've seen him live maybe twelve times and it always a joy. Read more
Published on 1 May 2009 by Vicky Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simpson's prodigal son.
After seeing Martin Simpson play live I was greatly impressed with his playing and singing. I had to buy an album of his and was pleased I chose the prodigal son. Read more
Published on 27 April 2009 by Ralph Minton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure Genius
This is Martin Simpson at his very best. Not a bad track on the album and many are destined to become classics. If you only ever buy one Simpson album, make it this one.
Published on 23 Feb 2009 by John Hacker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Martin Simson Prodigal Son
Hi, this is a rich and satisfying album. I did not know Martin Simson before, and neither did my folk lover husband, whom I bought it for. We both rate it hightly. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2009 by J. Haslam Ta Books
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simpson
great .. simply great! cant't wait to see him play " The Goose Is Out! in East Dulwich on the 20th of Feb!!!
Published on 11 Feb 2009 by L. Glanville
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
I have a fairly broad music taste ....including a bit of folk.. Fairport, Richard Thompson, Nic Jones, Martin Carthy... Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2008 by Aaron
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