Similar Posts
Martin Simpson
The Tolmen Centre is thrilled to be presenting world renowned guitarist, singer and songwriter Martin Simpson. The remarkable intimate solo performances Martin gives go from strength to strength – every gig is a masterclass. He travels the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, giving rapt audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his playing. In this show, he will be playing songs from his brand new album, ‘Trails and Tribulations’, to be released on September 1st, as well as older material.
40 years after he recorded his first album, Golden Vanity, in 1976, Martin is known as a guitarist of formidable talent. Equally at home playing English traditional folk, American folk and blues and his own compositions, he is consistently named as one of the very finest fingerstyle guitar players in the world. He is listed in Gibson Guitars’ Top 30 Acoustic Guitarists of all time, and Acoustic Guitar readers voted him number 12 guitarist in the world in 2005.
Universally acclaimed as one of the finest ever acoustic and slide guitar players, and a fine banjo-picker to boot, his solo shows bear witness to an artist at the very top of his game. Whether interpreting material from tradition or singing his own potent self-penned songs, Simpson is a remarkable storyteller: captivating and profoundly moving. His own songwriting produced the poignant ‘Never Any Good’, from Prodigal Son, 2007’s Folk Album of the Year.
Martin continues to collaborate with a dazzling array of people from across the musical spectrum: Jackson Browne, Martin Taylor, June Tabor, Richard Hawley, Bonnie Raitt, Danny Thompson, David Hidalgo, Danú, Richard Thompson and Dom Flemons are among the great musicians he has worked with.
He has had the most nominations of any performer in the 15 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, an astonishing 31 times, 12 of those as Musician of the Year, winning that particular accolade twice.
A virtuoso player without question, but above all Martin Simpson conveys his diverse treasure trove of material from the heart, performing with rare subtlety, intensity and honesty. A true master of his art.
“Martin is in a class of his own. He is such an expressive player; he is ingenious in his use of the guitar. You can listen to one of his songs and three or four minutes in, he has only used the top four strings and not even played a bass note yet, and when he does, it feels like an orchestra coming in. His clarity of playing is just amazing.” Jackson Browne
“One of the virtuoso instrumentalists of the English music scene” ‘Sounds better than ever’ **** 4 Stars The Guardian
“Simpson has become a fine interpreter of traditional and other songs, as well as a notable writer of his own.” The Times
‘Simpson’s latest is a potent blend of the highest calibre…Simpson has never sung or played better’ Acoustic Magazine
Budapest Café Orchestra
We are delighted to welcome back the Budapest Café Orchestra, led by leading violinist and composer, Christian Garrick., playing traditional folk & gypsy music with jazz and swinginflections whilst Klezmer, Romanian Doinas andHungarian Czardas are awarded fresh treatments.
”The music is magic in their hands”… Sean Rafferty, BBC Radio 3
Tickets £12
Flats & Sharps
Flats & Sharps, Cornwall celebrated bluegrass band, will be making their welcome second appearance at the Tolmen Centre on Sunday February 16th 2020.
Delivering energetic, enthusiastic and spirited Bluegrass to audiences all around the world, Flats and Sharps have been performing their unique take on this music for over eight years. Their shows include a wide variety of influences, from a fresh and modern outlook on foot-stomping Bluegrass material through to their powerful and well-crafted original songs, with beautiful moments everywhere in between. Their music perfectly blends strong harmonies and stonking solos, their incredible stage presence and energy create an evening that’ll have you dancing, laughing and singing along in no time.
Ten Strings And A Goatskin
Hailed on two continents as” infectious” and “the best of contemporary/traditional Celtic music” Ten Strings And A Goat Skin is a bilingual trad/folk/fusion trio, playing Irish, Acadian, French and original creations infused with modern and world rhythms. The band creates a fiery, contagious and unique sound which leaves audiences wanting more.
£11/£10
Jane Darke & Jim Causley
Acclaimed film-maker Jane Darke’s most recent work celebrates the life of the well-loved Cornish poet Charles Causley who was born 100 years ago. It features interviews with many well-known contemporary poets including Andrew Motion, Simon Armitage and Roger McGough as well as intimate conversations with family and friends. Filmed on location in North Cornwall and Causley’s ancestral Dartmoor village of Trusham, it also features musical settings of Charles’ poems throughout by acclaimed folk singer and relative Jim Causley. There will be a Q&A after the 90 minute film.
Pre-show meals available from 6pm ONLY if pre-booked on 01326 341353.
