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Simon Felice

Venue: The Railway
Town: Winchester
Date: April 6th
Website: https://www.simonfelice.com

Having seen Felice a number of times live with his band The Duke & The King I already knew how much of a talent he was. With the release of his first ever solo album just this week this was the first night of his UK tour to promote it. Backed by regular cohort Simi Stone on vocals/violin the sold out audience were in for a treat. The rest of his band was made up of drums, piano/keyboard and lap steel/mandolin but don't let these traditional Americana tools make you think the show packed a punch.

Opening track New York Times (a mostly piano driven piece on record) raced out of the blocks with incredible vocal melodies from all five people on stage as well as a pounding closing segment that seemed to hypnotise the extremely receptive audience.

Showcasing the vibrato singing style that has become something of a Simone Felice trademark he ran through a large portion of his new record. Those more familiar with his Felice Brothers/Duke & The King work weren't left disappointed with a re-worked version of Shaky (where the original was very folk this had a more gospel feel) and an epic (in length and scope) take on the Brothers' Radio Song (almost everyone was singing along and some had never even heard it before!).

The intensity in his eyes when he performs is something I have never seen in a live performer before and even when you hear an artist declare that they are 'happy to be here' I can honestly say I have never believed it to be said with more sincerity than at The Railway.

Closing out with a cover of Knockin' On Heaven's Door (if you look at his medical history there is no sense of irony when he explains revisiting this song during his much documented near death experience two summers ago) the room feels almost like a church congregation with Felice our esteemed preacher leading us to rejoice in the redemptive power of rock 'n' roll.

The Duke & The King have always been one of my favourite ever live acts with the beautiful harmonies and genuine joy that is apparent in every performance. On the strength of the new material and the bond between this group it's hard not to say that Simone Felice is THE standout songwriter of his generation and his live shows just go from strength to strength. He also happens to be one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet and is incredibly humble. He believes that the power of music and love can heal any wounds and I for one am willing to sign up for more of that medicine as long as he's prescribing it.

Simon Ridley
pic for illustration only:John Huba