NEWS & WHAT'S ON

NEWS & WHAT’S ON 

Martin Simpson may be in his sixth decade of performing but he’s showing no signs of wear and tear with his new tour kicked off and his latest album, in collaboration with Thomm Jutz, due out at the end of this month.

Martin Simpson
copyright Folkall

Nothing But Green Willow: The Songs of Mary Sands and Jane Gentry is available September 29 on Topic Records.

If that wasn’t enough to keep all you Simpsonites stimulated, he also has a solo album due to be released next year to coincide with the 85^th anniversary of Topic Records.

Sky Dancers is almost ready to come out of the oven and will be two CDs – a 10-track studio album and an eight-track live album, containing two additional tracks recorded live in the studio.

"I am very excited to say my solo album is within an ace of being completed. The album is an extraordinary and accurate representation of my relationship with the material I perform, and with the influences which continue to make themselves felt after 58 years of playing,” said Simpson.

Thomm Jutz

Due for release in March 2024 the album features Andy Cutting on button accordion, Liz hanks on cello, Ben Nicholls on string bass, and two new musical companions. Young guitar wizard Louis Campbell and pedal steel player Greg Leisz.

It's due for release in March of 2024 to coincide with Topic’s anniversary celebrations. Fans can get a taster at his forthcoming concerts, listed below.

Those of you who want to improve your musical skills should keep an eye on his website as the online workshops will be making a return and, hopefully, in-person sessions could be in the pipeline, to find out more email: info@martinsimpson.com

Mary Sands

Jane Gentry

Jutz is an award-winning guitarist who has brought to the table his deep interest in Cecil Sharp’s 1916 and 1918 collection: English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, particularly those tunes from singers, Mary Sands and Jane Gentry.

"The stories and messages in these songs are as important today as they were hundreds of years ago. The reason is they deal with archetypes, and archetypes and the problems related to them transcend time and place,” said Jutz.

 SEPTEMBER 2023

01 Cumbernauld Folk Club, Lanternhouse, South Kildrum Ring Road Cumbernauld North Lanarkshire G67 2UF

02 Kelso Folk Festival, Old Parish Church, Kelso, TD5 7BJ

03 CatStrand, New Galloway, DG7 3RN

06 Broadford Hall, Isle of Skye IV49 9AE

07 An Lanntair, Stornoway, Kenneth Street Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2DS

08 St Peter's Scottish Episcopal Church, 153 High Street, Linlithgow EH49 7AB

09 The Masonic Hall, 152 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry Dundee DD5 1DT

15 Rye Arts Festival, Rye Community Centre, TN31 7LE

24 Topsham Folk Club, Matthews Hall, Fore Street, Topsham, Devon, EX3 0HF

 

OCTOBER 2023

08 Hartlepool Folk Festival, various town venues

19 Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7GX

21 Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton Union Street, Burton upon Trent, DE14 1AA

22 Hellens Manor, Great Barn, Herefordshire, HR8 2LY

24 Wrecking Ball Music & Books, 15 Whitefriargate Hull, HU1 2ER

26 Arnside Sailing Club, The Old Customs House, 17, The Promenade, Arnside, Carnforth LA5 0HD

27 Alnwick Playhouse, Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1PQ

 

NOVEMBER 2023

01 Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth University, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

02 Chapel Arts Centre, St James Memorial Hall, Lower Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1QR

03 The Flavel Arts Centre, Dartmouth Flavel Place, Dartmouth TQ6 9ND

05 Temperance Bar, 33 Bath Street, Leamington Spa CV31 3AF

17 St Edith Folk, Memorial Hall High St, Otford, Sevenoaks TN14 5PQ

18 St Mary's Church Hall, 7 Oxford St, Marlborough SN8 1AP

19 Moth Club, London Old Trades Hall, Valette Street, London E9 6NU

 

MARCH 2024

23 Plowright Theatre, Laneham St, Scunthorpe DN15 6JT

 

APRIL 2024

27 St Mary's Church, Twyford, Winchester SO21 1NS