Martin Simpson is the complete natural musician, but his virtuosity on the guitar has often tended to unfairly overshadow his vocal and interpretive powers. His new album Prodigal Son demonstrates his further growth as a player, singer, and composer, with an eclectic mix of British and American traditional and composed songs as well as some stunning compositions of his own.

He has also brought in musicians of superb calibre to enhance the recording. Kate Rusby and Kellie While add backing vocals, there is Danny Thompson on bass and Andy Cutting on accordion. The great Jackson Browne adds vocals to Martin's masterful take on the Randy Newman classic, "Louisiana 1927", a tribute to New Orleans where he lived for several years.

Other highpoints are his own compositions "Never Any Good", which he wrote for his father, and the instrumental piece "Mother Love" written for his daughter Molly. Housed in a striking digipack, with outstanding photography by David Angel, the complete package is Martin's best to date.