Martin Simpson - The Mill, Banbury
Feb 17, 2017 10:23:22 GMT
Phil Taylor, brianr2, and 2 more like this
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 17, 2017 10:23:22 GMT
Where to start? Some random thoughts...
The last time I saw MS play was during his obsession with Mississippi blues, lots of flashy show-stopping pieces. Last night he played mostly songs from his upcoming album that he had finished recording the day before yesterday: English folk songs, plus a few of his own.
He spoke a lot inbetween songs (whilst tuning) which was entertaining and enlightening - I hope he collates his great knowledge in a book some time.
Being only interested in his playing, I personally was disappointed he didn't play unaccompanied by his voice (?). Most of his playing was alternating bass, with a melody coming through using thumb and index, interesting and very fluid, the other fingers used for the occasional spread chord. There were no finger gymnastics though as the guitar was secondary to his voice.
There were a huge amount of words for him to learn and there was only one blip where he either stumbled on the words or the guitar (not sure which)... he just repeated the phrase and continued. But, massive kudos to him, a major feat.
Small venue, but not intimate, PA attached to lighting rig, so quite bizarre to see MS on the stage, but hear him above our heads. He was five metres away, so a very odd experience.
He played his PRS made by Steve Fischer - I was disappointed he hadn't gone back to Sobell as he's just had a Steinbeck with African Blackwood b/s made. I felt the PRS lacked the clarity of a Sobell, it has a luscious bass, strong mids, but thin trebles (but that could have been the mix). It was a bit wooly to be honest. It really sang when he played slide though.
His Romero banjo finished the gig - surprisingly hypnotic and not at all irritating.
Overall a decent gig, full of great anecdotes, but sad not to hear him play the pieces that fingerstyle geeks like me admire.
Jonny
The last time I saw MS play was during his obsession with Mississippi blues, lots of flashy show-stopping pieces. Last night he played mostly songs from his upcoming album that he had finished recording the day before yesterday: English folk songs, plus a few of his own.
He spoke a lot inbetween songs (whilst tuning) which was entertaining and enlightening - I hope he collates his great knowledge in a book some time.
Being only interested in his playing, I personally was disappointed he didn't play unaccompanied by his voice (?). Most of his playing was alternating bass, with a melody coming through using thumb and index, interesting and very fluid, the other fingers used for the occasional spread chord. There were no finger gymnastics though as the guitar was secondary to his voice.
There were a huge amount of words for him to learn and there was only one blip where he either stumbled on the words or the guitar (not sure which)... he just repeated the phrase and continued. But, massive kudos to him, a major feat.
Small venue, but not intimate, PA attached to lighting rig, so quite bizarre to see MS on the stage, but hear him above our heads. He was five metres away, so a very odd experience.
He played his PRS made by Steve Fischer - I was disappointed he hadn't gone back to Sobell as he's just had a Steinbeck with African Blackwood b/s made. I felt the PRS lacked the clarity of a Sobell, it has a luscious bass, strong mids, but thin trebles (but that could have been the mix). It was a bit wooly to be honest. It really sang when he played slide though.
His Romero banjo finished the gig - surprisingly hypnotic and not at all irritating.
Overall a decent gig, full of great anecdotes, but sad not to hear him play the pieces that fingerstyle geeks like me admire.
Jonny
