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Martin Simpson on Driving

Mike Harding | 14:54 UK time, Friday, 2 October 2009

Martin Simpson writes:

Here we go again!

I've been having my usual conversations with Martin Taylor recently, which can reliably find at
least one of us driving. In the brief period when I travelled on trains I would encounter Martin
Carthy
, indeed I talked to Martin more in transit than at any other time until we worked together.

It is such a big part of the job, travelling, and not always a joy.
Danny Thompson regularly remarks that he plays for free, but gets paid for all the other nonsense.

I try to turn my car into a listening and idea developing area, and this morning I was listening to 's The Last Waltz. I have such respect for Levon Helm, verging on awe when I hear him simultaneously singing his proverbials off and playing the drums better than almost anyone I canÌý think of. It's a ferociously good performance in parts and like all good music it is wholly inspiring. It tickled me to hear Robbie Robertson playing split harmonics most of the time...he was the inspiration for me to try that technique on acoustic guitar, and it remains a little ace up the sleeve.

The singing on the album is wonderful with big harmonies all over the place...the result of
having an outfit with 3 lead singers, plus guests. As always I now just want to go and try some new stuff, I never know what direction it might take, it not as if I can go and copy any of that music, even if I wanted to, but it will produce results. Ìý

Driving doesn't seem so bad after all.

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