WE - “Martin, you’ve very kindly chosen a record that’s very special to you, I wonder if you could say what it is and why it’s so close to you please?”

“I can with great pleasure - it's 'The Country Blues' edited by Samuel B. Charters on RBF records out of New York. And this came out in 1959 to accompany Sam Charters book of the same name.

And when I was 14 years old, which was err 19... what was it? 1967, and I was in a jug band in my home town of Scunthorpe with three guys who were 19 and 20 and one of them - David Todd, lent me this record.

Now I'd heard blues, I had two older brothers who had blues records, Big Bill Broonzy, Muddy Waters, stuff like that - but this - this compilation completely opened the door for me - it changed my life.

I mean the breadth of what's on here is so extraordinary - from Leroy Carr's beautiful, gentle, sophisticated piano playing to Blind Willie Johnson tearing it up, both in terms of slide guitar and vocals. Robert Johnson, you know.

It's an extraordinary collection - I don't think in a way it's been bettered just as an introduction to country blues you know..

Two jug bands on here, Memphis Jug Band and Gus Cannon's Jug Stompers.

Some really quite unusual stuff - like Peg Leg Howell and then 'Statesboro Blues', Blind Willie McTell. ‘Preachin’ the Blues’ - Robert Johnson.

It's extraordinary and I play it all the time still.

It's a long way - I've had this for err - how long have I had this? - 48 years.”

WE - This actual record?

MS - This actual record. I never gave it back to the guy I borrowed it from.

WE - Good for you!

MS - “And he saw me for the first time s few years ago and was like ' Martin Simpson' I said 'David Todd' and he said 'yeah - you thieving bastard'!”

WE - “It's the blues!”

MS - “Yeah it's the blues!”

Martin Simpson: Band on the Wall, Manchester, 11th October 2015

The Country Blues: Edited by Samuel B. Charters, recorded 1920s - 1930s. Released 1959

Martin Simpson

Samuel B. Charters

ONE LP PORTRAITS: MUSICIANS: M - R: MARTIN SIMPSON