Shimeon. Behind The Soomer Sun 'Revived'. Album Review

Artist: Shimeon
Album: Behind The Soomer Sun 'Revived'
Label: Rockdown

When tune smith Shimeon released his debut album, Masquerade, in 2008, his album was met with with sharp and contrasting views from within the music industry and amongst music critics and no one could deny Shimeon's right to be given the title 'Singer/songwriter'. But despite Shimeon's natural talent, one theme became the dominant focus of attention, that being Shimeon's religious and theological views. Shimeon was not afraid to speak his mind and the same can likewise be argued for Behind The Soomer Sun 'Revived'. A collection of self reflective ballads and love songs, and a focus upon loneliness and sorrow. Yet through all the sadness, love loss and love found, one distinctive element stands out amongst the band of bouncy rhythm's and acoustic guitars, that being Shimeon's natural ability to present some of the most controversial of subjects in a manner which is both pleasing to the ear and joyfully uptempo. Behind The Soomer Sun 'Revived' is a collection of lonely reflective songs which present a journey of human emotions and the almost apparent conclusion of 'Everylove' that love is the greatest healer. Suddenly this simple, yet complex album becomes a hallmark for a much deeper statement than perceived at first glance.

Opening track 'My heavens in the sky' immediately stands out as a powerful statement that is both powerful and an thematic of humanity. "If only, if only I could...". Suddenly you realise that this is not the music of an entertainer who winks and grins, but of a solitary man who is arrayed with sadness. Suddenly the hearer looks beyond Shimeon's apparent denial of contemporary Hi-Fi production and instead listens to each song. From the opening line of sweet love, "I've been in love, but I didn't know" to the balladering 'I wish I'd never met you' (Complete with a fine harmonica solo) to the lyrically dark 'Misfortune in mind' and the humanity of the stunning 'Never Forget' you immediately agree that 'Behind the soomer sun 'revived' is shrouded in a winter of darkness which identifies with the light. Suddenly winter turns into spring and Shimeon does not "wanna to know what love is" but just "Needs a little help to pass the time away" and all at once Shimeon has found a way, he suddenly falls in love and finds true happiness. The concluding country track 'Everylove' speaks of love found and embraced. The beat continues to be uptempo and the lyrics are filled with absolute joy and one concludes that Shimeon has fallen in love and is happy to display it.

Behind the soomer sun 'revived' is a fine album and when compared with 'Masquerade' a distinct lightness in the musicianship and production of the album reveals itself. Suddenly it is not hard to know that Behind the soomer sun 'revived' is a truly great, great album by a truly great songwriter and musician.

I love it!

Rich Bantain

Behind the soomer sun 'revived' is available for downloads now from most good download stores.

Shimeon live at the Hole Note Acoustic Club 18/7/10

Upon entering into the quaint Yorkshire village of Hebden Bridge, I finally found the Hole In't wall in much anticipation of hearing and seeing Shimeon perform solo in an intimate venue such as this. The Hole In't Wall is one of those venues which has the makings of a great night, with its visually low lit atmosphere and upper room. A support act remarked, "I like the wallpaper, haven't seen it since 1972" and another, Shimeon, "You look cool man, like Johnny Depp". So there you have it, Shimeon is cool and his set of warm, relaxed, yet explosive content and lyrics either captivate you or chill you to the bone. His guitar playing and craft is second to none and his songwriting, awesome.

Shimeon's latest album, "Behind The Soomer Sun 'Revived' is brimmed with beautiful, simple melodies which when all said and done are all but simple. Shimeon is deep, and one wonders what lays behind his songs and where they come from. Shimeon is one of those few artists who can change the climate and the presence of all mood by merely belting out one line from his repertoire. Shimeon displayed this at the Hole Note Acoustic Club, with a set which covered carefully selected songs from 'Masquerade' and 'Behind The Soomer Sun 'Revived'.

Clad casual and almost entirely in black, he belted a fine selection of songs from across the intimate sea of heads. The introduction to his opening track, Just What I Do' which was nicely followed by an ever mellow version of 'My Heavens In The Sky'. A harsh 'Will In Chains' and the beautiful 'Never Forget' complete with harmonica and warm delivery. The strikingly beautiful premier of 'All I Want is You' from Shimeon's current studio album in the making, was second to none. Followed by the reflective genius of 'Strange World' and concluded with a chirpy and charming 'Just a Little Lonely' complete with its line, "Its much too late I have to run, I have to go but I'm glad you've come, everybody's gone to sleep, and I've begun to count the sheep" Shimeon said goodbye and left us wanting to come back for more.

Altogether a great, memorable performance by one of the UK's finest songwriters.

Rich Bantain