Martin Simpson - Blues Run The Game

Martin Simpson's new album, Trails & Tribulations is out now and available from ► Townsend (incl. signed guitar tab + pick): smarturl.it/zgwt3p ► Amazon: smarturl.it/6rgrrf ► iTunes: smarturl.it/ni0ahs ► Spotify: smarturl.it/sg7l17 and all good record stores.
► Website: www.martinsimpson.com/
► Facebook: / officialmartinsimpson
► Twitter: / msimpsonian
Martin Simpson uses D’Addario Strings exclusively.
www.daddario.com/
Sponsored by PRS Guitars.
www.prsguitars.com/
Video filmed and edited by Jim Lockey:
handheldcineclub.com/

[@StructureinSound]

Martin Simpson is made of Sheffield Steel, his Spine of The Pennines, but his Heart is with the American South Black Cotton Pickers. What a Great Folk Guitarist, in the long history of working-class creativity, in the face of struggling for our children.

[@jimbob12404yahoo]

As a friend to both Martin and Jackson (resting in peace) I thank the universe for allowing you both to be as part of the world of music, and my life.

[@fishinforforgiveness]

I loved the hard clear light of genius! Thank you for writing that book man!

[@robertsadler1766]

"I thank the universe. . ." 🤣 So the "universe" is a person? The "universe" has a will and exercises its volition?

[@carolegarland8050]

Got seven Martin Simpson cd's. You can never have enough I reckon.

[@gesco7087]

Gotta say (and this might be controversial) I think this is the best version I've heard of Jackson Frank's song. Why? Simpson's gorgeous chords do greater justice to the poignant, painful lyrics than the better known versions. I first heard this done live at the Bert Jansch tribute concert and loved it.

[@humblepie8638]

Song slays me every time.

[@thetwon5052]

Without a doubt .. that tune is a very clever song . Martins version melts my head every time.. it’s so concise and more to point it’s better in so many ways .. play list for life .

[@rickmorrow993]

Your guitar work on this cover is masterful.

[@bobandrayfan1]

Excellent song. Great pair of CDs! It just arrived today with a thank you note from you. Thanks very much Martin!! Best to you and yours!

[@Douglas-Moola]

Just discovered this song at 33.

[@jamescoulter7503]

The guitar work is magnificent, & I've heard many versions of this song by Jackson C. Frank, & sang it myself from the 1st time I heard Jackson play it. (Jeff Coulter. Ayrshire, Scotland)

[@djf71104]

Love New Album!!

[@brenda19ish]

That was wonderful. Thank you

[@billc307]

Beautiful.

[@elgolondrima3499]

Beautiful ! Can't wait to buy martins new album !

[@ChrisMay_Music]

absolutely great Martin! thanks so much for yourmusic your countless inspirations on playing the guitar and in music!!!

[@alexkappeler201]

Thanks , great guitarwork

[@zulambicana]

THE first lines get to me soo much

[@rickmorrow993]

Your guitar work on this piece is masterful.

[@lynnbrewer1771]

one of the first songs i ever heard, in my top 10 of beautiful lyrics

[@MrConan89]

In the 1980's and 1990's I was a member of the Hong Kong folks society and we put on an annual folks festival. Martin was one of performers who came out (twice I think). Performers were asked to conduct 'clinics' in the afternoons for aspiring folks like me. I was 'one on one' with Martin and two things stick in my mind. I asked him how often he changed his strings? "Every gig". He then went on to give a great tip and that was not to keep your guitar in a case at home but to put it on a stand so that it was always visible and in easy reach.

[@seanmurphy6480]

BESTEST VERSIONS OF A BRILLIANT SONG ❤

[@lookissjaxin]

Fantastic thanks ☺️

[@dominickerr356]

still excellent

[@AJR250]

Superb ❤

[@josephkiely2808]

sublime

[@ClydeBuilt]

Lovely touch and tone Martin....

[@bigtorrisi]

Yes sir.

[@bradinserra]

Brilliant

[@joshc440]

beauty

[@pepstaarrs]

Very Well Done!!! :)

[@DavidMumfordMusic]

Lovely version of this song. Poor old Jackson Frank :(

[@markwakephord3049]

Bought a Martin Simpson many years ago " Smoke & Mirrors ". Just found him again here, awesome. Cant find his CD,s here in SA though, Bummer.

[@noice.1]

fck yeah CLASSIC

[@drbobperkins]

Nice guitar. Pedal steel is a fresh take. This song, being a folk song, is very lightly produced by everyone. I’d love to hear it fully produced with strings and bass and full harmonies.

[@bronwendavies943]

It is not an old song: it was written by Jackson C Frank, whom I heard play it in about 1968. I've not heard any other version until hearing this by Martin Simpson.

[@davidjennings9253]

As always very beautiful playing, but I have to say I prefer the sound of your Stefan Sobell to the new PRS. Might be my ears but the Sobell seems more refined. - Keep up the great work - Dave

[@roymward1]

I recall Martin discussing 'Blues Run The Game' at a workshop, I think two years ago, where he expressed discomfort at certain aspects of the song, I think in relation to the lyric. Well, he has certainly worked his way through any doubts with this recording which is in all aspects magnificent. An interesting arrangement with subtle ornamentation and a fine vocal delivery. I am very much looking forward to his live solo version.

[@lordjagged8625]

It isn't Martin's lyric of course..not sure about his tweaks..been listening to the original for over 50 years and it cant be surpassed but Martin does a fine arrangement here.

[@victorpearson1418]

Regarding the lyrics...I find that most of the " folkie " material from the days of my youth ( 60s) now sounds weak and " drippy "...young white kids trying to look / sound tough and world weary . Now it's embarrassing ! Life is so tough calling for room service ! Wonder if that's what Martin felt . For the same reason I can't listen to most white bread attempts at blues . Cringeworthy .

[@lordjagged8625]

Victor Pearson..You haven't the slightest clue what you are wittering about..The man calling for room service in the song is Jackson.C.Frank and I suggest you do some research..His young life was to get worse but he had already ben through enough 'blues' for anybody's lifetime...You would think someone of your maturity would form opinions such as these on individual merit and informed logic instead of blurting out generalising unwarranted cynicism...grow up old man.

[@victorpearson1418]

Struck a raw nerve ? Get your guitar out and write a song about it .

[@lordjagged8625]

Here's my Lyric - You're not the first uneducated, moronic idiot on youtube Victor..Btw If any of your youth was spent in the 60's I'm the King of England..you're in your late 30's, you're black and you live with your mother, you also have mental health issues. I'm not expecting you to admit your foolishness with grace so I can only advise you to try and think before you excrete anything online.

[@bigtorrisi]

There is a purity to a guy and his acoustic, especially if you have the talent this Scunthorpe, steel town lad has. This really is the zenith of finger picking, acoustic lyrical guitar.

[@justme-wh5li]

Agree. There would be a purity ....Shame he's got a full choral, electric, drums and acoustic dubbed backing track.

[@justme-wh5li]

In fact, Jackson was purity.... This chap isn't.

[@goodun6081]

This isn't a song about "blues" so much as it is a song about *depression*. The darkness of the subject is intentionally belied by the cheerful musical accompaniment, in much the same way as the Everly Brothers sang Bye Bye Love as an upbeat pop-song (try the David Lindley and ElRayo-X version for a melancholy, world-weary alternate take) . Regarding depression, John Hiatt wrote these lyrics: " you can't run away from The Nagging Dark / it's there with you everywhere, it's in your heart / it finishes everything that you start / oh you can't run away from The Nagging Dark....."

[@mozbphotography]

Prettiest blues on the prettiest guitar

[@zootszabo2415]

great cover lives Bert Jansch's too

[@Nigel-ie6gy]

👍👍

[@raymoore6277]

Brilliant cover of a great song, love the lyrics on this, the guitar work is heavenly. Is that DADFAD... anyone know?

[@billwendt1256]

I'm curious as well.

[@NickleJ]

looks like open G (DGDGBD) to me, or something similar

[@tonycarter9840]

CGDCGD xx

[@blutack7462]

I'm pretty sure it's CGDGCD, capo 3

[@malcolmdrums]

Excellent...very tasty.

[@raymoore6277]

😘

[@jamesleo7870]

Does anyone know tuning he is using ?

[@mikemcgee3493]

CGDGCD

[@jamesleo7870]

@@mikemcgee3493 Thank You

[@TheMightyAvonJnr]

!

[@christianlacheze3323]

Lovely, but my favorite remains Bert Jansch’s version.

[@noice.1]

from AISTRALIA mate

[@noice.1]

I didn't spell Australia right....

[@mSw736]

Would of been nice to hear Jackson sing with Martin playing

[@alexgordon7637]

Bert's version was much simpler and more melodic closer to the original. Martin is however amazing but sometimes as Joseph 2nd said, too many notes.

[@justme-wh5li]

The blues.... Theyre all the same... Except for this time😂

[@SolThax]

Better than the original. G.J.

[@NikoHL]

Prefer a pared down version.. Over produced for me.. Doesn't need all those strings and overdubs :(

[@gregmonk1556]

I've heard a lot of versions of this song and none have come close to the original. I don't know why Bert Jansch's version gets such praise... he's a wonderful guitarist but he can't hold a note for love nor money.

[@relkins44]

Sorry but I like this version better. The guitar of all the other versions don't compare...