Reviews
Artist:Simon Todd
Album:Contracts For The Sale Of Land
Label:Self Released
Tracks:13
Website:http://www.myspace.com/simontoddmusic
Simon Todd, like this reviewer, hails from the North East; he was born and raised in Newcastle and now lives in Holywell, Northumberland. This is the second CD in recent months, by a local artist, which has impressed me, proving that we really do have some great North East talent.
Simon, whose father was a pianist, is a self taught guitar and piano player and has spent time in Crete in the company of Kevin Montgomery and Tommy Allsup at ‘Songs in the Sun.’ He was also the founder member of a local band called Morgan Le Fay..
Intriguingly the title of the CD, Contracts for The Sale of Land, came from a promise he made to someone years ago. What is refreshing is that whilst it seems clear that his North East roots have influenced his music, in songs such as Memories of The Tyne, his songs are not rooted in the area, giving them a more universal appeal. He says he is attracted first to songs and never is this more apparent than in songs such as Pithead Wheels about how communities were built dependent on that one industry, coal, then it was taken away without any consideration. Focussing on the miner’s strike, anyone with any connection to the mining history of the North East couldn’t fail to be moved by the lyrics. Anyone not local, think of ‘Billy Elliott.’ Perhaps the biggest tragedy is that we didn’t learn from history and the same thing happened with shipbuilding on the Tyne. Misled, is another example, with its almost haunting vocals, and Judgement Day, where he more than demonstrates his way with words. Then, just when you think you have a measure of this man, he and his band, Central Station, up the tempo for Rhyme and Reason and A Simple Man, showing a totally different side of what he has to offer. Another standout track on the CD is The Company of Angels.
Simon has several dates coming up around the North East, including The Cluny, in February and I for one intend to make a point of going to see him and the band play live, as I suspect they have the makings of a great night of live music. As for the CD, I think it deserves to be heard, by people across the North East and beyond.
Helen Mitchell