Beautiful Jo Records

Martin Simpson

One of the world's greatest acoustic guitarists, Martin Simpson was born in Scunthorpe in 1953 and already, a full-time professional by the age of 17. He quickly built a national reputation. Martin has played with Richard Thompson, Steeleye Span and the Albion Band, and for many years partnered June Tabor. Among many other accolades he was voted Musician of the Year in the in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2004.

Beautiful Jo's Martin Simpson Live album has received rave reviews and is the subject of a seven-page feature in the July 1997 edition of Acoustic Guitar where the complete guitar tablature for the long Donal Og instrumental set is given.For Beautiful Jo, Martin has also recorded tracks in duet with Chris Leslie on The Flow, and with Julie Murphy on Black Mountains Revisited.

Alternately mesmerising and devastating, Martin Simpson has few peers. A critic in Guitar Player magazine wrote, 'His performances elicit powerful emotions and subtle, understated beauty ... sheer mastery of the acoustic guitar.' The Los Angeles Times has referred to his 'breathtaking musical clarity' and Colin Randall in the Daily Telegraph has described him as 'a splendid guitarist who attracts more hero worship than any musician on the British folk circuit.'

Websites:
www.martinsimpson.com
www.watershed-arts.com