Martin Simpson - A Closer Walk With Thee (1994)

Guitar Player magazine called it "musical balm for the grunge-weary soul" and named it one of 1994's Ten Best Albums. Martin Simpson's phenomenal virtuoso finger-picking, slide and melodic guitar work shine in these interpretations of hymns, spirituals and camp meeting songs from the American Gospel tradition. Joe Weed and others sit in on fiddle, banjo, mandolin and more. You'll hear the heavenly glory - and the deep roots of rhythm and blues - in these old favorites and little-known treasures including Wayfaring Stranger, I'll Fly Away, Down in the Valley to Pray, Palms of Victory, Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down, Go Down Moses, Watch the Stars and the title tune. Selections from this recording recording appear in the Ken Burns film "Not for Ourselves Alone" and in the documentary "Delta Jews".

Martin Simpson grew up in the steel town of Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England. Consumed by folk music from the age of seven, he taught himself guitar and banjo beginning at age 12. While still in his teens, he was performing throughout England on shows with British folk-rock leaders such as Richard Thompson and Steeleye Span. He has played folk festivals, clubs and concert halls from London and Los Angeles to Hong Kong. His recordings include Leaves of Life and When I Was on Horseback on the Shanachie label, and The Collection on Topic Records in the United Kingdom. A new recording of Martin with Jessica Ruby Simpson, Red Roses, is due for release in 1994. Musical transcriptions for A Closer Walk With Thee as well as for Leaves of Life and When I Was on Horseback, are available from Mel Bay Publications, and Accent on Music recently published The Acoustic Guitar of Martin Simpson, an in-depth look at Martin's style and repertoire. A video, Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals, is also available through Homespun Tapes.