MUSIC
Martin Simpson, Acoustic Guitarist 
November 23, 2008
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To say that Martin Simpson is a great guitarist is a little like observing that blueberries are blue it's obvious on the one hand and not quite accurate on the other. It's certainly true that Simpson is brilliant he can bend anything with 6 strings (or 4, or 5) to his will with no apparent effort but to stop there is to sell him woefully short. The incipient reviewer rifles through Roget's in search of fresh words to convey Simpson's genius only to tear out clumps of hair in exasperation. Blueberries aren't blue, after all. Most fans would be happy for Simpson to play nothing but the English traditional music that first brought him to the attention of serious guitar aficionados. But Simpson is also a master interpreter of styles of music so disparate that the old Nonesuch Explorer series of recordings would have to create a new division just to accommodate him. He has collaborated with musicians as diverse as the Chinese pipa master Wu Man, the Indian musicians Viji Krishnan (violin) and Puvalur Srinivasan (mridangandam), and the Malagasy band Tarika Sammy. Closer to his roots, Simpson's work with his preternaturally gifted compatriot, singer June Tabor, is justly legendary. Simpson instantly owns any song he chooses to interpret. His rendition of Bob Dylan's "Spanish Boots of Spanish Leather," to cite just one example, is a tour de force. Simpson's own beautiful compositions ("Lilith," "Dreamtime"), although much rarer than his fans would like, betray his deep concern for the human condition and empathy with the underdog. In closing, we note that Simpson has received so many accolades and awards that his fingernails have had to be retired. To highlight just one, the Chicago Tribune called Simpson "the finest finger-style guitarist on the planet." In the absence of any serious extraterrestrial contenders to date, we suggest that they might well make it official and crown him the finest finger-style guitarist in the galaxy. Simpson is playing the Bluff City after an absence of 5 years, and his return will be welcomed by the throngs of fans he has generated on his previous visits. Simpson's appearances in Memphis are guaranteed sellouts.
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Venue Info
3050 Central Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111 -
Admission Info
Tickets: $20
Info Phone: 901-274-1626
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Dates & Times
Dates:
November 23, 2008Times:
7:00 P.M. -
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Perry Nicole Gallery - 3086 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: 901-405-6000
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Audio Enthsiasts - , Memphis, TN 38111
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