Search - Fred Simon :: Remember the River

Just beautiful

David J. Ohanlon | Lilyfield, NSW Australia | 04/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a pity this album's both expensive & hard to obtain because it's a gem. Featuring the delightfully melodic acoustic piano of Simon, the sure-footedness of Rodby's bass lines & the supremely talented Paul McCandless (of Oregon) on various reeds & horns (with NO shrillness!) the album completely draws you in to its spare, haunting beauty. This is truly an ensemble disc with Simon rarely taking the lead - it's great hearing McCandless as the sole leading voice in a fully acoustic setting where he doesn't need to screech!

As the music is generally laid back, comparisons with Windham Hill "New Age" are inevitable but there is enough fire in the playing (eg towards the end of the opener "Kore") to limit such comparisons.

In an album full of delights, Tracks 5 through 7 ("Time will tell", "Revolver" & the gorgeous anthemic "Folk Songs of the Cold War") are the highlights.

Get it if you can!"