Martin Simpson – Skydancers The new album
- out 12 April 2024 on Topic Records
Topic Record report that Martin Simpson is not a man to
sit still for very long. Undoubtedly one of the hardest-touring musicians
on the UK folk/roots circuit, he also averages a brand-new studio album almost
every two years. ‘Skydancers,’
his 12th full length solo record for Topic since 1992, comes hot on the heels
of last year's guest-packed collaboration with the American producer/guitarist,
Thomm Jutz, ‘Nothing But Green Willow: The Songs of Mary Sands and
Jane Gentry.’
Recorded by Tom Wright and Andy Bell in Simpson's hometown of Sheffield,
‘Skydancers’ collects new, Simpson-penned originals alongside 18th century
broadside ballads and reverent reworkings from the songbooks of, amongst
others, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Woody Guthrie, Nancy Kerr, June Tabor and
Craig Johnson.
Skydancers' title track, commissioned by TV presenter and naturalist, Chris
Packham, highlights the plight of the endangered Hen Harrier – ornithology, a
keen interest of Simpson's. Elsewhere he narrates the life and times of
Billy Waters, a black, peg-legged man who became famous busking in London in
the nineteenth century. 'Roger's Cascade' is a very personal, jaunty,
5-string banjo homage to master instrument craftsman, Roger Bucknall
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Simpson is
joined on ‘Skydancers’ by American pedal steel maestro, Greg Leisz, Andy
Cutting on diatonic accordion, Louis Campbell on acoustic and electric
guitar, Liz Hanks on cello, Ben Nicholls on string bass and a bevy of
accompanying singers.
‘Skydancers’ will be available as a double CD, vinyl album and to
download/stream. Those pre-ordering from Propermusic.com (only) will also
receive a limited edition ‘Skydancers’ guitar pick and signed
postcard.
Tracklisting
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CD1
& Vinyl
1. Skydancers
2. New Harmony
3. Alan Tyne Of Harrow
4. Tom Sherman's
Barroom
5. Lowlands/Billy Waters
6. Roger's Cascade
7. Fragile Water
8. Cherry Tree Carol
9. Deportee
10. Donal Og
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CD2
Only
1. Leaves Of Life (Live)
2. Yew Piney Mountains (Live)
3. Buckets Of Rain (Live)
4. Donal Og (Live)
5. Ridgeway (Live)
6. In The Pines (Live)
7. Flash Company
8. Cactus Tree
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Pre-order Skydancers
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