Purpose + Grace takes it's very apposite title from the great American songwriter Yip Harburg (composer of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow', 'Brother Can You Spare A Dime' and 'Only A Paper Moon') "I am one of the last of a small tribe of troubadours who still believe that life is a beautiful and exciting journey with a purpose and grace well worth singing about." With guest appearances from Richard Thompson, June Tabor, Dick Gaughan and Fay Hield, the album marks a bold and confident step for Simpson. Building upon the strengths of Prodigal Son and True Stories, like a movie producer, he conceived the whole project over a number of months and then invited some of his favorite musicians to bring their stellar talents to the recording sessions. The material shifts from Anglo-American ballads, Scots and English traditional songs to new compositions from Bruce Springsteen, Richard Thompson, the aforementioned Yip Harburg and Martin Simpson.