Prodigal Son (Audio CD)

Fabulous I can't praise this album highly enough. Staggeringly good instumental virtuosity. A voice which is clear, sweet and melodic. It will be one of those classic albums which you're still playing in 20 years time.... Buy it!

Best Yet! 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.

Where has he been all these years (Or is it me?) Being the same age as Martin and allegedly a folkie, I am amazed that I have only just discovered his incredible talents. I had heard the name mentioned occasionally by Mike Harding and had heard the odd track, but always considered that he was too traditional for me. True there are a lot of traditional songs on this CD, but like a previous reviewer points out, Martin really brings the songs to life and makes them his own. Some of his playing is awesome and the backing is just right. Cannot stop listening to it and have now starting humming some of the songs, much to my wifes annoyance. Cannot recommend this too highly, and I am now looking forward to visiting his back catalogue.

The BEST YET from a master of the genre - Superb! 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.

Martin Simpson - Prodigal Son 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