One certainty is that you leave an evening with Martin Simpson with a stretched and enhanced mind. It may take a few braincell exertions to fully absorb the breadth of stories, links and lyric-laden songs, yet when accompanied by the finest of folk blues picking you can expect to see on the UK circuit, everything clicks into place for a rewarding experience. Even the wintry blue MAC lighting emanating tranquilliser-like vibes couldn't quell the wealth of two hours exceptional music. This Sheffield-based musician is still as active as ever, dashing around the country for shows and exploiting any opportunity to further a musical odyssey. After a period of the Midland Arts Centre being unable to host events in its main theatre due to well documented construction issues, it was good to re-frequent a space the scene of many fine folk performance over the years. A few more customers would have matched the quality of the music, but experienced musicians aren't fazed by the odd empty seat. Still it was a reasonable turnout.
Simpson has a double edged appeal of interpreting roots music from both sides of the Atlantic with equal panache. When playing the Craig Johnson song 'New Harmony', a comment regarding its pure Americana credentials resonated strongly. This was the second song of his covered joining the story piece 'Damned Old Pinney Mountain' , a song taking your mind to Galax Virginia with all its hardships. Two other numbers with an American twist were from more familiar names - Dylan's 'Don't Think Twice' and the Joni Mitchell write 'Cactus Tree'.
Social commentary moments are part of Martin Simpson's DNA. Woody Guthrie's 'Deportees' is as relevant in 2024 as when written. Links to Grenfell accompanied a take on 'Palace's of Gold' from the repertoire of the influential Leon Rosselson. Lengthy environmental stories made an impact with 'Skydancers' being an original on the subject of swift migratory patterns.
A lengthy defining story was based around 'Ken Small' and the subject's discovery of a tank in the waters off Slapton Sands in Dorset. The names Linda Thompson, Anne Briggs and Anne Lister cropped up when the radar turned on the English folk scene. This was further exemplified in traditional songs such as 'The Cherry Tree Carol' and 'Alan Tyne of Harrow'. In terms of popularity, 'Icarus' continually surfaces as a fan's favourite when put to the vote and duly found a place in Birmingham's set list.
At the heart of the show is a person raised in Scunthorpe who found a calling through an acoustic guitar. The rest is history. Martin Simpson's appeal is locked into the folk community. Exceptional playing and a gig packed to the hilt with discovered nuggets pose as the redeeming feature. Wherever he plays, folks will hang onto every word, lyric and note picked. They know their stuff as much as one of England's leading folk lights.