Track Listing

1. Polly On The Shore
2. Lover's Ghost
3. Fair Annie
4. Dives And Lazarus
5. Four Angels
6. Betsy The Serving Maid
7. Bramble Briar
8. Banks Of Sweet Primroses
9. Rounding The Horn
10. Princess Royal
11. Sammy's Bar
12. Leaves Of Life
13. Air For Mauruce Ogg

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4573 in Music
• Released on: 2001-06-04
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
After several years in America, guitarist Martin Simpson returns in The Bramble Briar to his roots in English music. Given his stature as an instrumentalist (his influence is easily equal to that of John Renbourne, Bert Jansch or Martin Carthy), it's no surprise that the album's standout moments stem from Simpson's fluid playing, his acoustic guitar chiming like a beautifully pure bell. Drawing its style from both the English tradition and the blues, The Bramble Briar is an instrumental tour de force, overshadowing Simpson's own pleasant voice somewhat. The cello-assisted "Leaves of Live", a dramatic religious ballad, showcases his vocals to the best effect. Martin Carthy appears as one of a handful of guests, but this album very much belongs to Simpson (and his guitar). --Phil Udell

fRoots, July 2001
Martin Simpson has been hither and thither--geographically and musically--over the last decade or so, establishing a proud body of work along the way. But roll out the red carpet, crack open the bubbly, the former boy wonder is back. Back in Britain (temporarily at least), back on Topic, back playing English traditional music and back on form. This is a formidable album. His guitar playing is exemplary, his singing bold and fiery, the material richly powerful, performed with rare conviction. He's a stylist, both as accompanist and singer--and although it's a term that has been somewhat maligned in recent times where a more natural style of storytelling is favoured, Simpson's idiosyncratic exaggeration actually adds tension to the narrative without any sense of manufactured force. Like all great interpreters, Simpson approaches the songs with a respect that borders on awe, nurturing each phrase as a precious commodity to advance the story to the next sphere. The ballad form has certainly undergone an encouraging revival in the last couple of years and performances which get under the skin of the songs with such sustained intensity can do nothing but increase the drama. Great songs like "Dives And Lazarus", "Polly On The Shore", "Rounding The Horn", "Betsy The Serving Maid" and "The Bramble Briar" are given renewed verve, while there's also a superb version of Cyril Tawney's "Sammy's Bar". Simpson's own beautifully crisp guitar nurses the drama with deft enterprise, while Chris Parkinson, Martin Carthy and Barry Phillips provide additional texture. He's a supremely talented and versatile man, Martin Simpson, but this is what he does best.

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Customer Reviews

Back to basics
Martin Simpson is an exceptional talent in the folk scene. The Bramble Briar is a gem of an album in the true spirit of English folk,without the delving into Americana...roots,bluegrass,C&W... which MS has in the past found occasion to dabble in.
The guitar picking is so sharp and clear it could shatter glass ! The vocals and arrangements are spot on. A fine return to form from one our most under-rated musicians

Another exceptional release from Martin Simpson
I cannot believe that only a couple of years ago, I had no idea that this stunning musician existed. This is the third album that I have bought now by this extraordinary multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, and each one is a new musical experience.

The first - "Righteousness and Humidity" was a revelation - an exceptional collection of american traditional and old-time tunes, arranged in Simpson's unique way, and featuring superb acoustic and steel guitar work, not to mention tremendous banjo. The next - "Cool and Unusual" was a very different animal - featuring a mixture of mainly British traditional music, with many ballads, played with obvious skill and passion, and with an African influence.

So where does this album fit, and does it measure up to the immensely high standards set by the other two? For a start, it features more of Simpson's unique arrangements, which seem both authentic and fresh, and once again his style and feel are unmistakable. This time, the focus is on English traditional music, and his love of these tunes is evident. Every piece is performed with great respect and authority, and the story seems the most important element. This is the straightforward folk music, played by a master of the genre, and it will appeal to traditionalists more than either of the other two albums I have heard. It is also fair to say that unless you are already a fan of this style of music, you would be better off with "Cool and Unusual". Or if you prefer American traditional music, why not try "Righteousness and Humidity".

Whatever sounds best to you, please buy at least one album by this amazing performer. You will hear some moving and powerful pieces by one of the finest fingerstyle guitarists in the world (in any style). Outstanding and highly recommended!

Brilliant!
Easily my best-buy album of the past 12 months.
Simpson's musicianship shines throughout this album - his stunning guitar playing is breathtaking in the ease of it's execution, yet it never imposes on the song. As with his friend, Martin Carthy, the guitar line always supports and illuminates the lyrics.
Standouts? - Fair Annie is a big Scottish ballad which is intriguing, moving and captivating. The Four Angels is a Rudyard Kipling poem set to music by Simpson - utterly haunting. And Rounding of the Horn displays the quality of guitar-playing to perfection: at times the harmonies he creates could be coming from an Anglo concertina.
If you care at all about beautiful music, beautifully played, buy this.