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Post by andyhowell on Jul 31, 2013 14:57:33 GMT
I thought I should post a proper review of Martin Simpson's new album which is, possibly, the best album has had made.
Over the last decade or so Simpson has recorded albums with groups of other fine musicians but this solo album not only represents Martin playing solo but somehow has a greater intensity to it.
Vagrant Stanzas is a mixture of original tunes, traditional tunes and a few pieces from remarkable songwriters including Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Chris Wood. The album reflects Simpson's wide and eclectic tastes which include music from black heroes in the US and stunning traditional songs from Europe.
Apparently the album was recorded live, mostly in one take. There are a few overdubs of slide guitar and so on but these simply enhance the solo performance rather than obscure it.
Bano is represented here as well as acoustic guitar and I've seldom heard a banjo sound so subtle and sophisticated. A couple of instrumentals are played on a PRS electric guitar and these work just as well.
The original songs including 'Jackie and Murphy' and 'Delta Dreams' will get a lot of attention but the stand-outs for me also include Leon Rosselson's 'Palaces of Gold' the traditional 'Waly Waly' and 'Fair Annie'. Fair Annie has been recorded before but Martin Carthy pointed out that there were some additional verses which added more insight to the song and these are included in this version.
This album is available in two versions. Be sure to order the two-disc Deluxe version. This second disc is in no way inferior to the first and includes the original Simpson composition 'The Bell' which was written for the Radio Ballads — a great song!
At 60 now Simpson is singing and playing better than ever and he is hitting a rich seam with his songwriting. Teh quality of the recording is also stunning.
I can't see now any fingerstyle guitarist can ignore this1
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Post by ocarolan on Jul 31, 2013 20:26:58 GMT
Leon Rosselson's Palaces of Gold - blimey, that takes me back longer than I usually care to remember!
Thanks for the review Andy - might just check this one out, especially if it is essentially a solo effort.
Keith
edit - just came across these vids that might be of interest -
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Post by scripsit on Aug 1, 2013 9:26:43 GMT
Yep, ordered mine online today, so really looking forward to this.
Should make a nice bookend and contrast to the new Tony McManus album: great to have some new music around the house.
[edit] although I guess most of it in both cases is old music, in one sense ...
Kym
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Post by brianr2 on Aug 1, 2013 12:19:26 GMT
This album is available in two versions. Be sure to order the two-disc Deluxe version. This second disc is in no way inferior to the first and includes the original Simpson composition 'The Bell' which was written for the Radio Ballads — a great song! At 60 now Simpson is singing and playing better than ever and he is hitting a rich seam with his songwriting. Teh quality of the recording is also stunning. I can't see now any fingerstyle guitarist can ignore this1 Couldn't resist this, especially after Andy's review. Thanks for the tip about the two versions. I made sure that I got the special edition. It has just arrived and I am looking forward to giving it a spin, once management has signed off my domestic jobs list... Brian |
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Post by andyhowell on Aug 4, 2013 8:57:55 GMT
You won't be disappointed lads - seldom has banjo sounded as good as this!
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Post by philw on Aug 4, 2013 13:42:08 GMT
Just ordered my deluxe version - will be here tomorrow  Look forward to this one as I am a complete newbie to Martin's playing, and am kicking myself as he played at a local folk night nr me several weeks ago and I did not go... |
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Post by alig on Aug 4, 2013 15:30:51 GMT
Just ordered my deluxe version - will be here tomorrow Look forward to this one as I am a complete newbie to Martin's playing, and am kicking myself as he played at a local folk night nr me several weeks ago and I did not go... Uh huh. Ordered the same thing and took advantage of the free download - minus the bonus tracks - and it's fabby! He's coming up to the wild north - well, the Black Isle; which is a good bit East of where I am - in November so if you can hold off till then I'll do a review... One of these guys who, at sixty, is maybe not gonna tour too many times again. Gotta make hay while the sun shines, etc, etc... |
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Post by philw on Aug 4, 2013 15:52:53 GMT
just checked out his tour for this year on his site, I could either drive to Southport and see him and martin taylor together OR drive to Shipley (much closer to home) to see him on his own ....hmmm decisions, decisions |
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alig
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Post by alig on Aug 4, 2013 15:56:28 GMT
just checked out his tour for this year on his site, I could either drive to Southport and see him and martin taylor together OR drive to Shipley (much closer to home) to see him on his own ....hmmm decisions, decisions Phil, I can imagine, having seen MT several times, that the two of them would be a special combination... After the gig, you could always do a review...? There, problem solved... Alasdair. |
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Post by philw on Aug 4, 2013 16:07:14 GMT
just checked out his tour for this year on his site, I could either drive to Southport and see him and martin taylor together OR drive to Shipley (much closer to home) to see him on his own ....hmmm decisions, decisions Phil, I can imagine, having seen MT several times, that the two of them would be a special combination... After the gig, you could always do a review...? There, problem solved... Alasdair. I saw MT with Tommy Emmanuel a couple or so months ago, which I enjoyed .......me doing a review, yer kiddin pal, it would be short and sweet and not at all technical or in depth like you pros on here It may well be Shipley to be honest (Sun eve is easier for me than a thurs eve), will have to decide pretty quick mind, as I don't want to miss out on a ticket if theres a chance it may sell out Just got my ticket for Shipley in Decemeber |
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 6, 2013 13:43:35 GMT
Have been enjoying Vagrant Stanzas v much. Not overkeen on the two electric instrumental tracks, but the rest is very listenable. Jackie and Murphy is a masterpiece in songwriting and storytelling performance - quite moving, superb, and far and away my favourite track.
Keith
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Post by Phil Taylor on Aug 7, 2013 8:05:56 GMT
Have been enjoying Vagrant Stanzas v much. Not overkeen on the two electric instrumental tracks, but the rest is very listenable. Keith I've not heard this CD but I know on other CD's of Martin's that I have the electric tracks just don't seem to sit right and I never like them much, if at all. Phil |
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Post by philw on Aug 8, 2013 7:13:48 GMT
I have to admit this is really my 1st experience with Martin's music, and have listened upto track 10 at present, and must say I am enjoying the cd I am also looking forward to his gig when I go in Shipley in Decemeber Oh yeah I am REALLY REALLY looking forward to next weds when we get hooked up with fibre optic broadband so I can watch the likes on youtube etc .....at present I can watch about 5 seconds of videos before it buffers - so to see a 5 min video takes about 30 mins +....nightmare! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 8:08:32 GMT
Thanks to the wonders of Amazon's Cloud player, having bought the CD 5 minutes ago I'm now able to listen to it instantly. Great album. Looking forward to going to see Martin in Fareham in September. IanLP59 told me the story behind Jackie and Murphy yesterday when I spent the evening with him, so this is the first track I played, and wow, this song has absolutely reduced me to tears  Robbie |
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 8, 2013 8:26:06 GMT
................ IanLP59 told me the story behind Jackie and Murphy yesterday when I spent the evening with him, so this is the first track I played, and wow, this song has absolutely reduced me to tears Robbie Ditto to the last bit - you'll find the story in the booklet that comes with the CD too Robbie - I'd read it before listening to the track.... Keith |
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Look forward to this one as I am a complete newbie to Martin's playing, and am kicking myself as he played at a local folk night nr me several weeks ago and I did not go...
Jo whoever he is.
