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Product Description
Review
One of the most impressive things about Martin Simpson's Indian summer is his willingness to keep ringing the changes and refuse to settle for a winning formula. Decorated with awards for his previous two albums, Prodigal Son and True Stories - both of which broke new ground for him and were, in their own ways, strikingly different - the great guitar and banjo stylist moves on again.
In many ways this is a risky, maybe even foolhardy project. Anyone who invites singers of the calibre of Dick Gaughan, June Tabor and Fay Hield to not only contribute, but take lead vocals (respectively on Jamie Foyers, Strange Affair and Bad Girl's Lament) is taking a serious gamble. Even one fleeting cameo from Tabor alone will usually find her walking off with all the plaudits.
Simpson, a Tabor collaborator of old, is justly acclaimed for his guitar arrangements. He clearly takes as much joy and pride in playing his sensitive accompaniments as he does simply sitting in the middle of a roaring band cooking up belting versions of Little Liza Jane and a Cajun take on Lakes of Pontchartrain.
Simpson's love of banjo is prevalent throughout (he plays the late Mike Waterson's restored old instrument on Don't Leave Your Banjo in the Shed Mr Waterson), while the great pedal steel player BJ Cole and accordion maestro Andy Cutting are also prominent. Curve balls include a terrific duet with Gaughan on Brother Can You Spare a Dime and a stirring version of Bruce Springsteen's Brothers Under the Bridge, including a short burst of Richard Thompson on electric guitar.
There are a couple of big solo tracks, Bold General Wolfe and Barbry Allen - Simpson's lovely slide guitar lifting the gloom of one of the most hackneyed songs in the folk firmament - while the album's fluctuating moods are underlined by an unusually mournful treatment of In the Pines. In complete contrast, Simpson's only original song in the set, Banjo Bill, is a lovely tribute to a relatively obscure Kentucky mountain musician Bill Cornett.
An album of great love and joy, Purpose + Grace confirms that Simpson remains at the top of his game.
--Colin Irwin
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The Daily Mirror ***
"..June Tabor and Dick Gaughan help him seamlessly combine bitingly relevant traditionals with with original modern tunes from Richard Thompson and Bruce Springsteen"
"Thirty-five years into his career, Martin Simpson has perfected a professorial fusion of British and American forms.."
"Simpson has never sung or played better"
"Thirty-five years into his career, Martin Simpson has perfected a professorial fusion of British and American forms.."
"Simpson has never sung or played better"
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
While producing an album that once again is an emotional roller-coaster Martin is, on this album, having fun with a bunch of respected musical friends. It ranges from the almost tear-jerking "Brothers Under the Bridge" and "Brother Can You Spare a Dime" to the joyous "Little Liza Jane" and more than adequately showcases his brilliant guitar and banjo skills. The track "Don't Leave Your Banjo In the Shed Mr Waterson" is made the more touching given the recent death of Mike Waterson for whom the tune was written.
Hearing the bonus track makes one wonder how long it will be before we see Martin being joined on stage by his daughter Molly, a la Martin and Eliza Carthy.
An excellent introduction to the phenomenon that is Martin Simpson and a fine follow up to his last album, True Stories.
Hearing the bonus track makes one wonder how long it will be before we see Martin being joined on stage by his daughter Molly, a la Martin and Eliza Carthy.
An excellent introduction to the phenomenon that is Martin Simpson and a fine follow up to his last album, True Stories.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Let me start by saying that this is the 19th Martin Simpson album I have bought and he's just as good as on his 1983 release " Grinning in your Face". Or should I say he's always been excellent on every album since then, up to and including "Purpose and Grace". He looks a bit grimmer and greyer, but he still knows how to have a lot fun with his friends, who he gathers together for a star studded production. Its a knock-out album,my personal favourites being " General Wolfe", "Strange Affair", and " Barbry Allen". Lots of instrumental magic from the whole band and quite a New Orleans feel in places.Just realized I've been listening to this guy making superlative music for over 28 years now! He's a classic master of the guitar. Keep on playing those tunes Mr Simpson.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There might be one good reason for buying Martin Simpson's new album
'Purpose + Grace' : his performance, together with June Tabor, of
Richard Thompson's sublime song 'Strange Affair' - but there are, in
fact, a further dozen other good reasons for doing so too. Mr Simpson
has no need to mess about with his material; giving it a contemporary
twist or tarting it up with over-decorative detail. This collection
shines like gold; its simple merits a testament to its maker's artistry.
True, there are some very special guests on board too but it feels as
though they are here as friends as much as co-conspirators. It's a joy!
Standout tracks include : the uncluttered solo rendition of 'Bold
General Wolfe', wherein one can almost smell the sea and hear the
cannons roar - a great story well-told and well-played by a master;
the rough and ready vernacular of the inimitable Scottish singer
Dick Gaughan on 'Jamie Foyers'; the wonderfully pathos-filled account
of Bruce Springsteen's 'Brothers Under The Bridge'; the evocative guitar
lamentations of 'In The Pines' and the stirling interpretation of 'Brother
Can You Spare A Dime' (Mr Gaughan again on fine form, delivering another of
the album's finest moments). The pick of the crop for me, however, comes
with Mr Simpson's intensely focussed performance of 'Barbry Allen'. One
man and his guitar and a lifetime's experience condensed in a single song.
Wholesome and magical music making really doesn't get much better than this!
Both the purpose and the grace of Mr Simpson's vision are wholly palpable.
Essential.
'Purpose + Grace' : his performance, together with June Tabor, of
Richard Thompson's sublime song 'Strange Affair' - but there are, in
fact, a further dozen other good reasons for doing so too. Mr Simpson
has no need to mess about with his material; giving it a contemporary
twist or tarting it up with over-decorative detail. This collection
shines like gold; its simple merits a testament to its maker's artistry.
True, there are some very special guests on board too but it feels as
though they are here as friends as much as co-conspirators. It's a joy!
Standout tracks include : the uncluttered solo rendition of 'Bold
General Wolfe', wherein one can almost smell the sea and hear the
cannons roar - a great story well-told and well-played by a master;
the rough and ready vernacular of the inimitable Scottish singer
Dick Gaughan on 'Jamie Foyers'; the wonderfully pathos-filled account
of Bruce Springsteen's 'Brothers Under The Bridge'; the evocative guitar
lamentations of 'In The Pines' and the stirling interpretation of 'Brother
Can You Spare A Dime' (Mr Gaughan again on fine form, delivering another of
the album's finest moments). The pick of the crop for me, however, comes
with Mr Simpson's intensely focussed performance of 'Barbry Allen'. One
man and his guitar and a lifetime's experience condensed in a single song.
Wholesome and magical music making really doesn't get much better than this!
Both the purpose and the grace of Mr Simpson's vision are wholly palpable.
Essential.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Magnificent Martin
Martin Simpson can do no wrong in my opinion. He is the best guitarist in the world, I like his singing and his albums are always produced to an extremely high standard. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Molly Stephenson
Purpose and Grace
I bought this for my boyfriend's birthday and he hasn't stopped playing it. He says it is very well crafted, a brilliant album of very diverse songs. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Catwoman
The Great and the Good
This is not a solo album. It is a superb collection which shows the quality of the singing and playing of a gifted musician and his friends.
The best album of this year.
The best album of this year.
Published 6 months ago by oldfogey
The Enduring Brilliance of a Man at the Top of his Art
Being a proud possessor of 12 albums by Martin Simpson, and listening to music for around 50 years, and in particular a listener of Folk Music for around 40 of those years. Read more
Published 6 months ago by skimmity
A Review
Up to Martin's usual standard. I found the collaborations both interesting and enjoyable with a pleasing mix of traditional, covers and new songs.
Published 7 months ago by sinodun
Simpson keeps going
When most musicians with a back catalogue as long as Martin Simpson's would have faded into blandness, Simpson still produces albums well worth listening to. Read more
Published 7 months ago by PaleWriter
Martin Simpson C/D
As always Martin Simpson is always worth listening to and this C/D is no exception. He has such an easy style and on this occassion he has included fellow musicians. Read more
Published 7 months ago by John Wilson
Another success
Yet another great Cd from martin; good selection of different styles and his usual superb guitar playing. Well worth the money.
Published 8 months ago by P. M. G.
He just gets better
Martin' Simpson's latest album, Purpose & Grace is another masterpiece. His eclectic electric folk and blues compositions are fab. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mike O
Topic Records All-Stars
Dick Gaughan,Fay Hield,June Tabor et al join Martin Simpson on "Purpose and Grace".This is a really good idea from a marketing standpoint and a really good idea from a... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Azoic
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