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The Bramble Briar

By: Martin Simpson
Label: Topic
Released: 04 Jun 2001
RRP: £9.99
Average Rating:

Customer Reviews

Back to basics - By: Arthur Dooley, 02 Dec 2007
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 & clear it could shatter glass ! The vocals & arrangements are spot on. A fine return to form from one our most under-rated musicians
Another exceptional release from Martin Simpson - By: Mr. Dominic L. Brown, 03 Jan 2006
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 & vocalist, & each one is a new musical experience.

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

So where does this album fit, & 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 & fresh, & once again his style & feel are unmistakable. This time, the focus is on English traditional music, & his love of these tunes is evident. Every piece is performed with great respect & authority, & the story seems the most important element. This is the straightforward folk music, played by a master of the genre, & 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 & Unusual". Or if you prefer American traditional music, why not try "Righteousness & Humidity".

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

Brilliant! - By: Nevin Ward, 23 Feb 2003
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 & illuminates the lyrics.
Standouts? - Fair Annie is a big Scottish balllad which is intriguing, moving & 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 alll about beautiful music, beautifully played, buy this.
The Bramble Briar by Martin Simpson - By: Stanley Watts, 23 Sep 2002
You do not need to fully appreciate the open tuning of a well played quality acousic guitar, nor have the slightest interest in traditional maritime folk music to realise, on listening, that Martin Simpson has produced an extremely fine & well crafted album in "The Bramble Briar".

Fom the atmospheric "Poly on the shore" to the breath takingly haunted "Fair Annie" never have war, ships, music & death been so masterfully intertwined. So brutal & sad yet so enjoyable to listen to this story teller. This seemingly macarbe musical theme is interupted occassionallly with more enlightening contributions, such as the jolly "Rounding the Horn" & the virtuoso instrumental "Banks of the sweet primroses"

"The Bramble Briar" is a musical feast telling stories of lives that were harsh brutal & short, but full of beautiful emotions now ghosting in these songs - not to mention alll those ships.

Martin Simpsons best album to date deserves to go down as one of the most intelligent & beautiful albums yet produced in the traditional folk genere. It must surely be top of the "If ever you buy a folk album" catagory.

Superb collection of English songs - great acoustic guitar! - By: , 16 Jun 2001
Anyone who appreciates great guitar playing, anyone who has ever enjoyed any traditional music - buy this CD!! The quality of singing, playing & recording are alll superb. And he has the legendary Martin Carthy guesting on a couple of tracks. Carthy does not sing on this album, but his influence (both guitar style & vocal phrasing) are very evident on the title track.

Most tracks are traditional songs (three are instrumentals). There is also a wonderful version of Cyril Tawney's "Sammy's Bar", which I think was written in the 1950's, when Tawney was serving in Malta. Difficult to pick out favourite tracks, but if pushed it would be Sammy's Bar & the two nautical songs - Polly on the Shore & Rounding the Horn.

Martin Simpson was already recognised as one of the very best acoustic guitar players in the world. This brilliant album puts him in the top rank of traditional music performers.