Martin Simpson - Vortex Jazz Bar, 24/10/05

I went to see Martin Simpson, the fabulous folk guitarist and singer, the other day. It was at the Vortex Jazz Bar in Hackney, which had all the ambience of a commmunity centre, but couldn't detract from what was a masterful solo performance from Martin. Over the last few years, Simpson has firmly staked his claim to
the crown of the likes of Martin Carthy, as one of the pre-eminent interpreters of traditional song in this country, if not the world.

His repetoire is a wonderful mix of traditional English ballads, American folk and blues, classy originals and
Dylan covers - which is more or less what I like to play!

As an acoustic guitarist, he is unmatched if you ask me. Beautifully clear and deft picking, and arrangements that are as intricate as they are moving. He began, as he has on the other two occasions I've seen him, with a well judged melody of "Air For Maurice Ogg" (a self-penned instrumental), "One More Day" (don't know what it is, but a gorgeous tune) and his arrangement of Dylan's "Boots Of Spanish Leather". I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that Simpson's rendition of this song is my favourite Dylan cover, full stop. It never fails to get my attention, in a way not many songs can.

The evening had a reasonably strong Dylan theme - Martin admitted to have been caught up in the excitement of "Dylan Week" a few weeks ago. We got a sizzling, slide-driven take on "Highway 61 Revisited", and a wistful "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go".

There were many readings from his most recent record, Kind Letters. As well as the enchanting "Here's Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy", he played what my companion described as "the best folk song, ever, full stop" - "When First I Came To Caledonia". The tale of a chap who goes to work in a mine on a Scottish island, it's beauty can't be communicated on the page, but here are some snatches of lyrics:

When first I came to Caledonia
And I got loading at number three
And I got lodging with Donald Norman
He had a daughter who could make good tea

and later...

If I had pen from Pennsylvania
And I had paper of snowy white
If I had ink of a rosy morning
A true love letter to you I'd write

And I'd set my head to a cask of brandy
It's a dandy I do declare
For it's when I'm drinking I'm seldom thinking
How to gain that young lady fair

As Martin said when I chatted to him in the interval, there's something about the way the girl in the tale can "make good tea" that tugs at the heartstrings so.

I also mentioned to Martin that I had two wishes - first, that he should record a Dylan cover album, and second that he should record it with Larry Campbell, the former Dylan sideman who is apparently a good friend. I can think of few things more mouthwatering than a duet between Simpson's guitar and Campbell's
fiddle or mandolin on that arrangement of "Boots Of Spanish Leather"...

For more information: www.martinsimpson.com