Search - Fred Simon :: Since Forever (Dig)

Fred Simon
Since Forever (Dig)
Genres: Jazz, Pop

Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
1. Since Forever
2. No War Nowhere
3. Even in the Evening
4. I Know You Know
5. In a Silent Way - Fred Simon, Zawinul, Joe
6. More Often Than Not
7. Simple Psalm
8. Same Difference
9. Ways of Seeing
10. What's the Magic Word?
11. Song of the Sea
12. Beginning/Middle/End

CD Details

All Artists: Fred Simon
Title: Since Forever (Dig)
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Naim
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 9/8/2009
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 797537112428, 797537112428

Synopsis

Album Description

* Described by USA Today as "modern music's middle ground between jazzand classical," pianist and composer Fred Simon's music interlaces pop sensibility with jazz complexity like no other.
* Simon's illustrious musical career spans over 30 years, including recordings on Windham Hill and collaborations with musical luminaries from acts as diverse as Oregon, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Pat Metheny Group, Fairport Convention, Larry Coryell, and Kurt Elling.
* Since Forever was produced by Fred Simon and Steve Rodby. Now world renowned for his work as producer--having worked with Pat Metheny Group, Michael Brecker, and Charlie Haden--Rodby is as emotionally connected to the music as Simon himself. "[Fred Simon] epitomizes fusion in all forms, crossing stylistic barriers, experimenting with instrumentation, mixing power and beauty, progressiveness and simplicity." -- DownBeat

CD Reviews

He's done it again

David J. Ohanlon | Lilyfield, NSW Australia | 10/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quality and consistency rather than say manufactured quantity are certainly hallmarks of Fred Simon's work. Nearly five years after the release of "Remember the River", Fred has again teamed up with Steve Rodby on bass and Paul McCandless on a variety of wind instruments to produce "Since Forever", this time adding Mark Walker from Oregon on drums & percussion. The addition of Walker definitely adds a new layer of colour to Simon's work & as an example Walker gets a thoroughly excellent workout on the rollicking & delightful "Simple Psalm".

Overall the mood is generally relaxed, although often up tempo & certainly propulsive in places. Simon himself penned all of the compositions except for a respectful rendition of "In a Silent Way" dedicated to both Joe Zawinul & Miles Davis & each of the tunes demonstrate a superb grasp of melody & ensemble writing backed up by excellent performances, once again especially from McCandless. Indeed if I was to have a slight "criticism" of both "Since Forever" & "Remember the River" it's that Simon maybe allows McCandless to be a little "too" dominant and doesn't give himself as much solo space as his obvious talent deserves. Often the format is Simon following McCandless rather than the other way around - indeed check out the excellent & a-typical "Way of Seeing" as proof that in the context of this album "less" of McCandless can actually be "more" for the overall effect when McCandless finally DOES let fly is especially dynamic. Perhaps even a solo piano piece somewhere on the album wouldn't go astray either!

Nevertheless another very highly rewarding album from Fred Simon well worth checking-out."