Martin Simpson - Prodigal Son

Mini-Reviews concentrate on the initial impression you get from an album -- what it sounds like, who does it remind you of, how does it make you feel?

Martin Simpson - Prodigal Son - Three Stars
A quiet, almost melancholy album, Simpson's Celtic guitar -- played almost like his native country's harp music -- is a fine match for his smooth, whisky tone. (Note the British spelling of "whisky." That was on purpose. His voice is dry and faintly sweet, like Scotch. It's unlike the darker, smokier, one might say, "twangier" taste of our American bourbons and whiskeys.) If you like contemplative singer-songwriter fare but with a more Celtic flair, and you like a few ballads of the oldest school mixed in, then you'll enjoy this album. Note my Celtic recommendations run more strongly towards high-energy instrumental dance music like Solas and Dervish. This falls outside of that genre, but some of the songs overlap. Overall, a strong album filled with beautiful, delicate guitar and fine singing. Sip some Scotch while you're at it.

Three stars.