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.
Truly extraordinary song and video
Tom Morton
BBC Radio Scotland
Beautifully authentic guitar style & heartfelt vocal
Tom Robinson
BBC Radio 6
A master of fingerstyle guitar
Jim Gilchrist
The Scotsman
**** Tremulously regretful lyrics, sweetly flowing fingerstyle guitar, heart unabashedly on the sleeve… it can only be Simon Kempston
Jim Gilchrist
The Scotsman
**** 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.
Joe Barton
The Skinny
A stunning talent
STV (Scottish Television)
**** Gorgeous acoustic guitar work that shines throughout, should entice fans of Donovan & John Martyn
Dave Esson
The Daily Express
Beautiful tunes…..infinitely talented
BBC at the Edinburgh Festival
***** Brilliant and quite unique guitar skills, Dundee has undoubtedly produced one of Scotland’s most poetic and expressive musicians
Three Weeks
Edinburgh Festival Magazine
Intelligent, passionate and highly original
fROOTS magazine
One of Scotland's very best singer-songwriters
Alan Morrison
The Sunday Herald
Highly recommended, very fine album from a very fine young Scottish musician
Iain Anderson
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.
Russell Leadbetter
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 beauty of the music grows with every listen, this is a collection of songs which is incredibly reflective, intelligent and deserving of serious attention
Charlotte Taylor
Maverick Magazine
Delicately beautiful melodies, strikingly politicised lyrics....there's a real sense of craft here
Alan Morrison
The Sunday Herald
The album is a great listen, thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done!
Michael Rossi
Late Junction, BBC Radio 3
Thought provoking lyrics coupled with beautifully crafted songs make this a beguiling album.
Rick Fulton
The Daily Record
Lovely songs, lovely production, elegantly & beautifully played, the songs give you goosebumps on the goosebumps
Cherrie McIwaine
BBC Radio Ulster
**** 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
Alan Harrison
Maverick Magazine
