Martin Simpson - Skydancers (2CD Set)

TOPIC

£12.58

Format: CD (2CD Set)
Catalogue No.: TXCD613
Barcode: 714822056137
Release Date: Apr 2024
Genre: Folk

New album by prolific, world-renowned English guitarist/singer-songwriter brings together Americana/Folk originals alongside inspirational Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell repertoire

Martin Simpson is not a man to sit still for very long. Undoubtedly one of the hardest-touring musicians on the UK folk/roots circuit, he also averages a brand new studio album almost every two years. 'Skydancers,' his 12th full length solo record for Topic Records since 1992 (15th if you count collaborations), comes hot on the heels of last year's guest-packed collaboration with the American producer/guitarist, Thomm Jutz, 'Nothing But Green Willow : The Songs of Mary Sands and Jane Gentry.'

Recorded by Tim Wright and Andy Bell in Simpson's hometown of Sheffield, 'Skydancers' collects new, Simpson- penned originals alongside 18th century broadside ballads and reverent reworkings from the songbooks of, amongst others, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Nancy Kerr, June Tabor and Craig Johnson.

'Skydancers'' title track, commissioned by TV presenter and naturalist, Chris Packham, highlights the plight of the endangered Hen Harrier, ornithology, a keen interest of Simpson's. Elsewhere he narrates the life and times of Billy Waters, a black, peg-legged man who became famous busking in London in the nineteenth century. 'Roger's Cascade' is a very personal, jaunty, 5- string banjo homage to master instrument craftsman, Roger Bucknall. Simpson is joined on 'Skydancers' by Grammy-winning American musician/producer, Greg Leisz, on pedal steel , Greg Leisz, Andy Cutting on diatonic accordion, Louis Campbell on guitars, Liz Hanks on cello, Ben Nicholls on string bass and a wealth of backing singers.

The double CD includes renditions of Bob Dylan's 'Buckets Of Rain' and Joni Mitchell's 'Cactus Tree' amongst other live favourites.

Martin Simpson is an English folk musician and guitarist, known for his innovative and eclectic approach to traditional music. In the mid-1980s, Simpson moved to the United States, where he collaborated with the likes of Jackson Browne, Steve Miller, Kelly Joe Phelps and many others. He has been nominated 23 times in the 11 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including nine times consecutively as Artist of The Year, which he has won twice. His album Prodigal Son was named album of the year in 2008 and a song from that album, "Never Any Good" was named best original song of the year.

2024 marks Topic's 85th anniversary as the world's oldest independent record label.

We've had some great Martin Simpson press this week, including a 10/10 from Guitarist and a 4/5 from Mojo.

“Penguin Eggs-good. Seriously” - **** MOJO

“He may just have delivered his magnum opus. Skydancers is one of those albums that’s just good for the soul.” - 10/10 GUITARIST

"I do believe this set could be equal to, maybe better than, anything he’s ever done" - Ian Anderson, TRADFOLK

“an excellent record from a master of his craft” – KLOF MAG

“acoustic finger-picking magic” – UNCUT

"It’s stunning and without doubt his finest work in almost half a century of being at the vanguard of british guitar players, songwriters, singers and true custodians of folk music” – RICHARD HAWLEY

“These tracks show Martin at his very best. He has this ability to mix traditional folk with delta blues and country, but he always retains that individual style and distinctive voice that brings so much emotion and feeling to the songs. He doesn't sing them, he lives them. I highly recommend this album from one of the great performers of our time.” – FATEA

LIVE DATES (many more to follow this year) :
APRIL
Sat 13 TWYFORD nr WINCHESTER St Mary's Church
Fri 19 ST AUSTELL Arts Centre
Sat 20 CALSTOCK Calstock Arts

MAY
Sat 4 EDINBURGH Tradfest
Sat 11 SHEFFIELD Firth hall
Sun 19 HITCHIN Folk Club

CD (2CD Set) Tracks: Skydancers / New Harmony / Alan Tyne Of Harrow / Tom Sherman's Barroom / Lowlands/Billy Waters / Roger's Cascade / Fragile Water / Cherry Tree Carol / Deportee / Donal Og / Leaves Of Life (Live) / Yew Piney Mountains (Live) / Buckets Of Rain (Live) / Donal Og (Live) / Ridgeway (Live) / In The Pines (Live) / Flash Company / Cactus Tree

LP Tracks: Skydancers / New Harmony / Alan Tyne Of Harrow / Tom Sherman's Barroom / Lowlands/Billy Waters / Roger's Cascade / Fragile Water / Cherry Tree Carol / Deportee / Donal Og