Simon Kempston is ‘one of Scotland’s very best singer-songwriters’ (The Herald), a composer and leading acoustic fingerstyle guitarist based in Edinburgh. His beautifully crafted material showcase his distinctive, intricate fingerstyle guitar work, and his gently nuanced, compelling tenor vocals.
Simon has performed across the world in 38 countries and counting. Having toured for more than a decade internationally, he has countless experience of major festivals, television and radio appearances whilst his acclaimed life performances are intense, impassioned and unmissable.
Beautiful tunes…..infinitely talented
BBC at the Edinburgh Festival
Beautiful, plaintive songs
Frank Hennessy
BBC Radio Wales
Sounding lovely, a very distinctive voice - the album is full of Simon's trademark fingerpicking and story songs - he writes a good story song, that man!
Roddy Hart
BBC Radio Scotland
The album reminds you, here and there, of one of the man's influences, Bert Jansch, but in terms of lyrical depth and ambition, it could only be Kempston.
Herald Scotland
Intelligent, passionate and highly original
fROOTS magazine
The album is a great listen, thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done!
Michael Rossi
Late Junction, BBC Radio 3
Truly extraordinary song and video
Tom Morton
BBC Radio Scotland
Lovely songs, lovely production, elegantly & beautifully played, the songs give you goosebumps on the goosebumps
Cherrie McIwaine
BBC Radio Ulster
**** The beauty of the music grows with every listen, this is a collection of songs which is incredibly reflective, intelligent and deserving of serious attention
Maverick Magazine
**** Gorgeous acoustic guitar work that shines throughout, should entice fans of Donovan & John Martyn
The Daily Express
Delicately beautiful melodies, strikingly politicised lyrics....there's a real sense of craft here
The Herald On Sunday
Highly recommended, very fine album from a very fine young Scottish musician
Iain Anderson
BBC Radio Scotland
A master of fingerstyle guitar
The Scotsman
Thought provoking lyrics coupled with beautifully crafted songs make this a beguiling album.
The Daily Record
**** Tremulously regretful lyrics, sweetly flowing fingerstyle guitar, heart unabashedly on the sleeve… it can only be Simon Kempston
The Scotsman
A battered, ancient woodland of rhythms, accompany weeping strings and softly spoken acoustic guitars. Springsteenesque balladry delivered in a rich, distinctive vibrato whilst the excellent guitar work brings to mind Richard Thompson. Scottish routes poke through, creating a beautifully sparse landscape which the listener can continually use to reflect and brood upon.
Acoustic Magazine
**** Super cool blues in a John Martyn meets Chris Rea at a dobro festival vein….listen as a complete piece and you will be in for a treat as the mood swings take you on a slow walk through mist strewn mountains and valleys followed by sunrises over waterfalls and romantic walks hand in hand along barren beaches
Maverick Magazine
***** Brilliant and quite unique guitar skills, Dundee has undoubtedly produced one of Scotland’s most poetic and expressive musicians
Three Weeks
Edinburgh Festival Magazine
A stunning talent
STV (Scottish Television)
**** The best blues release I’ve heard this year; devastatingly sincere, and, thanks to its evocation of church music and Scottish folk, also entirely unique.
The Skinny
Beautifully authentic guitar style & heartfelt vocal
Tom Robinson
BBC Radio 6
One of Scotland's very best singer-songwriters
The Herald On Sunday
