SIMO (Page 4 of 5)

the new album is amazing...

I just got back from watching Simo perform in what can only be described as a "dive bar" in Denver this evening.  They had 2 warm up bands, and there were only about 100 people present while Simo played.  Despite the venue, and crowd size JD, Adam, and Elad put on an incredible show.  I got the chance to chat with JD uninterrupted for about 10-15 minutes as I arrived at the venue, and I can honestly say it was the experience of a lifetime.  He is so down to earth and humble. 

We talked about his performances on the KTBA cruise (2016), the new album he's working on, and our mutual agreement that musical innovation died somewhere in the mid 70's.  Next to Joe, JD is my favorite artist so our entire chat was almost surreal.  I couldn't believe that I was "shooting the **##" with someone who is destined to become a blues-rock legend.

Give Simo a listen if you haven't.  They will not disappoint.

Mike

I, too, was at the SIMO show in Denver the other night.  I agree with all Mikewing's comments.  It was an incredible show by JD and crew.  I am pretty new to the SIMO bandwagon, but am definitely a huge fan.  Saturday Night only served to increase that.  JD couldn't have been any nicer or any more grateful.  His playing was, of course, phenomenal and inspired.  Mikewing summed it up very nicely.  Here are just some other random thoughts I have from the night:

* dive bar is a very accurate description of the venue by Mikewing.  I have been immersed in the Denver music scene as a musician and concert attendee for over 25 years years and I had never even heard of this venue. 
* The best thing I can say about the venue was that it was very small and afforded me the opportunity to see SIMO in a truly intimate setting
*  I felt very lucky to see SIMO in a small show setting as I am sure he will soon be booked in larger venues.  He is a force and a true talent.  The show felt like what it must have been like for the fans who got to see Bonamassa in his early days.  Something very special and unique.  I got on the Bonamassa train pretty early and got to see him at some smaller-ish shows for a good price.  Nothing this intimate though.  Very cool to be that up close and personal with someone as talented as JD is.
*The venue ( based on their calendar of events and never having heard of it) does not appear to be a blues type venue at all.  As such the 2 support acts were pretty disappointing in my opinion.  Neither of them were anything close in style to SIMO.  They were both given 45 minute sets so it felt like an eternity to sit through to finally get to the music I wanted to hear.  JD and crew finally went on just after 11:00.  All that to say I am not sure how the boys got booked in this specific venue instead of one of the many other more blues specific venues in town.  Hoping next time to at least see them in a little nicer spot with better support acts.
*JD said that they played 3 new songs during the set.  Not being that familiar with his music and never having seen them live before I couldn't tell you what they were.  I only have the newest CD which I know very well.  But I don't have the full length of EP he released previously.  All I can say is I loved everything I heard so the 3 new songs must be good. 
* JD was incredibly approachable after the show at the merch table.  He signed a couple items for me.  Took a picture with me.  Gave me a big hug and thanked me repeatedly for coming.  He talked to me for quite awhile.  Really great down to Earth guy.
*JD indicated that he felt this show was one of the absolute best on the tour.  he said a couple times that he felt the band were really clicking well the whole night and that they were communicating musically well.  I would concur.
* someone in front of me after the show mentioned they should be playing to a much larger audience.  JD indicated that the band is just happy to commune with everyone who wants to commune with them.  I enjoyed communing with them very much.

I really hope these guys make it back to Denver soon and I cannot encourage you enough to catch these guys in your area if you have the chance.  Truly 10 of the best dollars I have ever spent and one of the best talents I have seen in a long time.  Seeing him live affected me in very much the same way Joe did the first time I saw him live.  I know we can all relate to that!!

I finally got around to listening and buying JD's new album and it's really impressive.  Way better than the first album.  The music really infuses some life into the Blues' status quo.

ouch
Sending those healing vibes
And I have been digging the new album quite a bit.

We went to see Simo this week in Sellersville, PA. The first show of his first East Coast tour. It was a 3 hour drive, but man was it worth it. The more I see him, the more I love him. He has so much energy and his songs are very unique yet also familiar feeling with shades of psychedelia and even Zeppelin influences. He has recently changed back to using his blackface Fender deluxe reverbs and he was playing primarily his big red 335. Candy, his '60 LP wasn't even there. Charlie Daughtry on the Les Paul forum has posted a number of my videos there and said he talked with JD recently and JD had said he is going back to his roots with the amps, "It's just more me". Well, the tone was killer and the show was off the hook. I totally lucked out with my spot for viewing, 3rd row and no one in front of me until the encore when everyone stood. Videos came out fantastic and I layered Phil's audio on mine for a fuller sound. There were 2 songs I didn't know the names of, so if anyone does, please let me know. I have tried messaging JD on facebook, but he is pretty busy with his tour right now. So who knows when he will get back to me. His knee is feeling better and he was moving around quite a bit on stage, but you could tell he still had some type of brace on it. We talked with him very briefly after the show since a mob of people were forming and we needed to get on our long drive home. But he came right over to us since we've talked with him number of times on the cruise and he gave me a big hug and thanked us for coming and for everything we do. He is such an incredibly nice guy. He mentioned he wasn't prepared for the colder weather since he had just come from Texas. Probably will need to get a coat

Right Now https://youtu.be/kmAZ-Gss_AE

song #2 https://youtu.be/0SIabqA3eFc

Two Timin' Woman https://youtu.be/qh8Xx_nNsaw

Long May You Sail https://youtu.be/iM4A7himTGw

I'll Always Be Around https://youtu.be/s2QLEmBqLiw

Stranger Blues https://youtu.be/W6VgJ3aw2rk

song #7 https://youtu.be/n1EdfvXcFIQ

Becky's Last Occupation https://youtu.be/2_L7vRodshw

Please https://youtu.be/mUMhzMDCkKY Incredible stripped down version of this song with just him on his guitar, no band

I'd Rather Die In Vain https://youtu.be/NU2MOT4VCvg

What's On Your Mind https://youtu.be/phjsebgt57g

Off At 11 https://youtu.be/A5Jc-YZEFsI

With A Little Help From My Friends https://youtu.be/ZA7OUtJMPlc

Maggie's Farm https://youtu.be/K2ytAHGEXUY Probably the fastest, most energetic version I've ever heard of this song

That's really cool of him.  Hopefully he makes it down to central Florida one of these days.

Okay, I admit it, I am totally addicted to Simo. We went to see him this past Thursday at a tiny bar in Philadelphia. Phil didn't get a chance to see him at the Vienna, VA show so we trekked the 3 hours to Philly. But lets face it, I would drive even further for this guy. The area on the floor for the stage was tiny and I ended up standing right smack in front of JD for the whole show. The lighting was utter crap, just one red light and two small blues ones, the sound came only from the amps and JD's voice came through one small speaker up above on the right side. So needless to say the vocals are somewhat low in the mix, lol. Had to do a lot of tweaking in an editor program to lighten up the videos which took days to render, but it's so worth it in the end. Just watched the whole show via our flat screen TV and it really is okay blown up that big. The show was off the hook. This is raw, rockin', up close, in your face, kick a$$ music that has me head bangin and playin air guitar in my livingroom. To be that close to him was just intense. Reminded me a lot of how I felt at Joe's show at Mr Kyps. Wailing high energy. JD was so happy to see us there. He is just so appreciative of people who come to support him. Before the show I was hanging outside with him and some other guys and he put his arm around me and said, "I love you, I'm so glad you came" and then told all the guys, "This is Natasha" They all must have wondered who the F is this person, lol. Then as soon as he was done playing his set, he came right up to both Phil and me and gave us big sweaty hugs and thanked us for being there. I can still feel the JD sweat on my cheek Yup, it's no wonder I'm addicted to this guy and his music. So people who read this forum need to go see Simo and his band if he comes anywhere near you because you will not only witness a totally rockin show reminiscent of bands from the late 60's early 70's, you will also get to meet one of the nicest guys on the planet.

Don't Waste Time https://youtu.be/rgHbHSU1YYc

Right Now https://youtu.be/wsg1uoXIc6Q

People Say https://youtu.be/revRSBNbRMQ

There And Gone https://youtu.be/6pJmp70H5KE

It's Alright https://youtu.be/v466QkTF-5k

Long May You Sail https://youtu.be/SmsChaTRsmo

I'll Always Be Around https://youtu.be/r7L35Nc1Sro

Strangers Blues https://youtu.be/7Vyv7oNbwt0

Please https://youtu.be/zJjPxoiOftI

I'd Rather Die In Vain https://youtu.be/etRa2xw7i9k

What's On Your Mind https://youtu.be/W8xPTrwWp1A

Off At 11 https://youtu.be/ZANzNxVf65I

With A Little Help From My Friends https://youtu.be/x3vWfgdp3pE

Playlist of the whole show https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P … MgraCWpWjE