Swooping Molly- Martin Simpson

Martin Simpson is, for me and many, a guitarist and composer of such unique quality, skill and sensitivity to theme and interpretation he is unsurpassed. I've listened to many guitarists over the years - played with a few - but Martin's ability to arrange and develop both accompaniments and compositions is second to none. He can take a song and give it a totally different colouring with use of tunings and deft left hand and use his great singing voice to give sincerity I just keep returning to. I've been trying to play like Martin for a while - using his techniques and phrasings. Sometimes successful to an extent but never anywher near his skill use of tone and attack. If you haven't heard his music - traditional folk, American blues with superb slide guitar and wonderful banjo - get out today and do so. If you are a guitarist - go sooner.

Swooping Molly is one of Martin's recent compositions - you can discover the meaning of the title when you get the CD. Its played in CGDGCD - a tuning he uses a lot and which I really enjoy playing in. You can get Martin's Tab for this on his site from Brass Tacks. http://www.martinsimpson.com/
Its a tricky piece mainly because you have to be nimble to keep up with it and its easy to rush and hard to gain Martin's fluidity and clarity. Its basically two sections with repeats and some variation. The Tab is Ok but you need to listen to the music too. Wavepad is handy for replaying parts..

Here is Martin playing the haunting Granuaile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piK4Lwm4Y9k&feature=relate

and here ae some extracts of him at a gig at Arts Centre in Shoreham by sea, West Sussex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijzEBNpYngk

Enjoy.

As if we need this to tell us its a wee bit cold. You can see our snowman (personage)- its 397th left from a very cold bit in the Highlands! Its been hard on small birds though and I've broken the ice in the water and left loads of fatnutsseeds stuff out for them. We have a tame pigeon who calls around now and then and jumps on a hand that contains visible peanuts.
Huge icicles this year too. Our heating broke down and we lived very cold for four days - a few heaters and lots of candles and hw bottles. You survive.It doesn't take much to bring things to a halt though really in this country. I can't see us surviving the next ice age like our ancestors did. At least there'll be no Big Blubber to want us to not want to!
Hope you all get on ok.