'Skydancers,' his 12th full length solo record for Topic Records since 1992 (15th if you count collaborations), 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 Tim 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, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, 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. Simpson is joined on 'Skydancers' by Grammy- winning American musician/ producer, Greg Leisz, on pedal steel , Greg Leisz, Andy Cutting on diatonic accordion, Louis Campbell on guitars, Liz Hanks on cello, Ben Nicholls on string bass and a wealth of backing singers.
'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. Simpson is joined on 'Skydancers' by Grammy- winning American musician/ producer, Greg Leisz, on pedal steel , Greg Leisz, Andy Cutting on diatonic accordion, Louis Campbell on guitars, Liz Hanks on cello, Ben Nicholls on string bass and a wealth of backing singers.
TRACK LISTING
LP Tracklist
1. Skydancers
2. New Harmony
3. Alan Tyne Of Harrow
4. Tom Sherman's Barroom
5. Lowlands
6. Billy Waters
7. Roger's Cascade
8. Fragile Water
9. Cherry Tree Carol
10. Deportee
11. Donal Og
2CD Tracklist
1. Skydancers
2. New Harmony
3. Alan Tyne Of Harrow
4. Tom Sherman's Barroom
5. Lowlands
6. Billy Waters
7. Roger's Cascade
8. Fragile Water
9. Cherry Tree Carol
10. Deportee
11. Donal Og
12. Leaves Of Life (Live)
13. Yew Piney Mountains (Live)
14. Buckets Of Rain (Live)
15. Donal Og (Live)
16. Ridgeway (Live)
17. In The Pines (Live)
18. Flash Company
19. Cactus Tree