Reviews
Simon Kempston Album: A Poet Or A Painter
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 12
Website: https://simonkempston.co.uk/albums/a-poet-or-a-painter/
Ian Dury, not a man known for hanging back or understatement famously said, 'There ain't half been some clever bastards' . I have no idea if Simon Kempston and the self-proclaimed bard of Upminster ever crossed paths, I only mention him because that song title popped into my head at several points when listening to this album. I guess the title of this ambitious album put "What A Waste" in my mind.
Singer Songwriter Simon Kempston first came to my attention not via his previous fourteen albums, but as an atmospheric musician on an impressive duo album with fellow guitarist Paul Tasker. The extensive catalogue of the man The Herald On Sunday says is 'One Of Scotland's very best singer-songwriters' had to my shame passed me by. I pressed play on A POET OR A PAINTER thinking I knew what to expect, how wrong can you be. It was the sensitivity of the playing, Kempston's fine but understated singing and writing and his ability to musically flow through a song that meant the 70s Blockheads b side chorus sprang to mind. Although I hasten to add, there is nothing flashy brash or showy in Simon's music. Its more a case of his music being impressively restrained and sophisticated, fitting the moment rather than shouting look at me.
"Hold On (My Sweet Angel) " is a smooth jazzy shimmy with star billing given to Sam Irvine 's saxophone and Simon and Emily Barr's vocals. "For Your Benefit" is beautiful folk with fine vocals from Kempston and charming violin accents from Robbie Grier. "Oh Cathy" is an argument delivered as 'light as air' sophisticated jazz pop. Gossamer saxophone lines and a 60s bossa nova drum beat from Kyle Grieve glide around Simon's vocal and guitar. It just needs Astrud Gilberto. The title track ploughs a similar but more poetic furrow to Ian Dury's "What A Waste". Simon uses a little Bryan Ferry crooning vibrato on "A Poet Or A Painter" and "Parting Gift", his voice duetting beautifully with the saxophone.
"Bowl Me Over" mixes harsh and soft in a song about trying to make it. The charming arrangement of picked guitar and violin creates a lullaby like mist around the vocals. In both its words and its tempo "Love (Wont Fool Me Again)" is a dance, with Simon wryly describing the swirling passage of love. The lyrics are sad, but the arrangement and rhythm bring beauty and joy. Kempston's nimble guitar and fine voice are right to the fore on the acoustic and excellent "If I Had Been". Even when delivering self deprecating lyrics on "If I Had Been" and "Love ( Wont Fool Me Again)" Simon is fragile and tender not melancholic or miserable.
"Starting Out Again" is a song about moments of hope with a catchy arrangement and a fine bassline by Bob Miller. "She Sees The World The Same As Me" is a beautiful love song with top playing from Simon and Sam and hypnotic singing from Kempston and Barr. Amazing but understated slide guitar and bowed bass brew up an incredible atmosphere around a strong vocal on "To Mind The Herd". A quietly impressive stand out four minutes thirty six seconds on this beautifully subtle album. Final track "Which Way" is a gentle and impeccable set of questions that nods to Nick Drake. Its sentiment makes it the perfect closer, but the delicate guitar, bass and violin playing makes it a late in the show encore like stand out track.
A POET OR A PAINTER is a sensitively put together collection of emotional songs and a simply beautiful listen. Simon Kempston is a sensitive writer and vocalist, he is also an assured guitarist who knows that it's the song or ensemble performance that really matters. He can clearly really play but importantly he can also 'not play' really well too. Letting others shine is a real skill. There aint half been some subtle, sensitive and quietly impressive musicians and poetic writers, like Simon Kempston, is much closer to the truth. I wouldn't argue with The Herald On Sunday.
Marc Higgins
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Fatea Showcase Sessions
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