Since Forever Fred Simon

• 1 Since Forever 06:33
• 2 No War Nowhere 03:38
• 3 Even In The Evening 04:49
• 4 I Know You Know 03:49
• 5 In A Silent Way 03:54
• 6 More Often Than Not 05:44
• 7 Simple Psalm 04:14
• 8 Same Difference 04:04
• 9 Ways of Seeing 07:24
• 10 Song of the Sea 07:25
• 11 Beginning/Middle/End 06:50
• 12 What’s The Magic Word? 05:25
• Total Runtime 01:03:49

Info for Since Forever

Since Forever reunites Simon with multi-reedist, Paul McCandless (best know for his work with Oregon) as well as bassist Steve Rodby (long-time player and co-producer of Pat Metheny Group), both of whom featured on his last Naim album Remember The River and drummer Mark Walker (who has worked with McCandless in Oregon) completes the band that provides the perfect vehicle for Simon to realise his unique music. Indeed, Since Forever was co-produced by Rodby of whom Simon comments 'At times it seems he hears and understands my music better than I do. His ideas often strike me as what I meant to write in the first place'. Together they have conjured a beautiful chamber-jazz album of real poise. Mostly written by Simon (the exception is a lilting cover of In A Silent Way), the album's title track is a tribute to Pete Seeger, and elsewhere Simon has conjured evocative music in memory of friends and family and reworks his classic Simple Psalm for the new band.

There is a style of jazz typified by the group Oregon which is far away from extrovert jazz, trad groups or foot-tapping big bands. It might be categorised as 'chamber jazz', although this may give the wrong impression of a cold, detached music. In fact Fred Simon here produces music which is warmly emotional without being noisy or flashy.

The comparison with Oregon is apt, as the album also includes multi-instrumentalist Paul McCandless - a long-time member of Oregon - as well as drummer Mark Walker, who has played with that group. The bassist (and co-producer with Fred) is Steve Rodby, familiar from his work with Pat Metheny, which is another assurance of melodic music.

All the tunes are compositions by pianist Fred Simon - except for Joe Zawinul's In a Silent Way, which is a tune that seems to slip through my fingers whenever I try to grasp it. The opening title-track is dedicated to folk singer Pete Seeger: 'the great musician and humanist', says Simon. The tune sets the mood for an album which is steadily effective despite its understatement. Paul McCandless is instrumental (in more ways than one) in this success: interpreting Simon's inventions on a variety of instruments, most notably the oboe. And Simon's compositions all have a placid melodic appeal which repays repeated listening.

I won't describe every track in detail, as you should buy the album for yourself! But I particularly like the buoyancy of No War Nowhere and the airiness of More Often Than Not. In any case, the mood of the music is fairly consistent throughout: unhurried, tranquil, with the sort of imperturbable atmosphere that can often be found in the work of such composers as Delius and Vaughan Williams. Some listeners may dismiss it as bland or sentimental but I love it. (Tony Augarde)

'Attractive chamber jazz that should please fans of Oregon, Windham Hill and Keith Jarrett.' (Manchester Evening News)

'some of the best American jazz' (Audiophile Audition)

Fred Simon, Piano
Paul McCandless, Soprano saxophone, Oboe, English Horn, Bass Clarinet, Duduk
Steve Rodby, Acoustic Bass
Mark Walker, Drums & Percussion

Recorded at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston, Illinois (Autumn 2008)
Recorded in True Stereo Digital by Ken Christianson, Pro Musica, Chicago

Fred Simon has been making music for more than thirty-five years, composing for records, live performance, film, dance, and television, with instrumentation ranging from solo piano to symphonic orchestra. His recorded work includes seven albums of original music under his name: SHORT STORY and TIME AND THE RIVER (Quaver), USUALLY/ALWAYS (Windham Hill), OPEN BOOK (Columbia), DREAMHOUSE (The Naim Label), REMEMBER THE RIVER (The Naim Label), and SINCE FOREVER (The Naim Label); three albums (as principle composer) with the Simon and Bard Group: MUSAIC, TEAR IT UP, and THE ENORMOUS RADIO (Flying Fish); as well as TWILIGHT (NorthSound Music Group), a collaboration with reed player Paul McCandless and guitarist Teja Bell; THE MUSIC OF THE BEACH BOYS (NorthSound Music Group), an album of solo piano arrangements of Brian Wilson songs; and numerous appearances on compilations released by Windham Hill, Columbia, Narada, Private Music, Imaginary Road, NorthSound Music Group, Jazziz Magazine, and The Naim Label.

Fred has recorded and/or performed with Ralph Towner (Oregon), Paul McCandless (Oregon), Larry Coryell, Lyle Mays, Iain Matthews (Fairport Convention), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Steve Rodby and Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny Group), Bonnie Herman (Singers Unlimited), Kurt Elling, Fareed Haque, David Onderdonk, Ingrid Graudins, Ross Traut, The Stan Kenton Orchestra, and many others.

Future plans call for more of the same, only different.

Booklet for Since Forever