simon mcbride

Within twenty seconds of Simon McBride taking the stage I knew that his long awaited debut album would be one to watch out for. Sure enough the opening track on Rich Man Falling more than lives up to that expectation and proves hard to get past without hitting the replay button several times.

Coming from Ireland will no doubt attract comparisons to the legendary Rory Gallagher. Yet there is much more to Simon McBride’s style. There are nods to Stevie Ray in there, touches of Hendrix, and much more of his own undeniable style, and presence.

The album is made up of thirteen tracks, eleven of them McBride originals. As if to underline one of the comparisons he also adds a brilliant version of Hendrix’s “Power Of Soul” along with his take on the Free track “Be My Friend”.

Like me you may have come to the album by watching him play live. If, however, it is the other way round and you get to the album first I guarantee you will be on his MySpace page checking those tour dates before the end of the first track. “Down To The River” is just short of four minutes of extraordinary class, delivered by one of the hottest guitar lights around.

As with many of his illustrious predecessors it was always destined to be this way. At the grand old age of fifteen McBride won UK’s Guitarist magazine’s ‘Young Guitarist Of The Year' award. He then joined Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell in Sweet Savage, recorded two albums, and played some major festivals with them.

It took until 2008 for this album to take shape but the end result is well worth the wait. His versatility shines through and is shown with the early switch he makes with “Standing Still” a slow burning shifting of gears.

Quality requires yet more quality of course and not only do his self-penned tracks achieve this but he has surrounded himself with a band of excellent musicians. Drummer Paul Hamilton, and bass player Gareth Hughes provide the solid foundation to McBride's instinctive playing.



Listen to his vocals on the groove driven “Fat Pockets” with its scorching solo. Alternatively listen to the nicely melodic “So Much Love To Give” and that versatility literally smacks you between your speakers.This album is more rock than blues but blues based rock all the same.
It’s every reviewers nightmare scenario to try and avoid the words scorching (already used), searing, or soaring when trying to describe his many excellent solos throughout the album. Just take it as read that they are all of those and a lot more. Meanwhile, his harder edge shows through on the pulsating “Pushing It Out” a track that is carried home by his gritty vocals.

If you are arriving here from the direction of the much missed Jeff Healy, or Joe Bonamassa you will find much to connect with. The same can be said of that harder edge too with touches of Michael Schenker and, of course, the influence of Vivian Campbell.



McBride is label mates with another fantastically gifted UK bluesman Matt Schofield, reviewed here a few weeks back, so life at Nugene Records must be pretty damned good at the moment.

The deep groove of the title tracks leads to the luscious blues slide of “Devil Woman”. It’s not easy for anyone to take on anything sung by Paul Rodgers and played by Paul Kossoff and yet his version of “Be My Friend” originally from Free’s Highway more than blows that theory apart. It’s effortlessly, excellent, and heavily taps into the original genius.

The quality relentlessly continues through the funky trio of “Change”, “Tell Me Why”, and “You’ve Got A Problem”. “DC” if anything takes it a notch higher with a hook laden highlight among one of the strongest sets you will hear on any debut. As if that wasn’t enough he wraps up with an incredible take on Hendrix’s “Power Of Soul” from his Band Of Gypsies era.

Simon McBride has arrived and delivered an album that leaves you like a thirsty dog panting for more. - bc music premium

Simon McBride’s reputation precedes him: at 15 he won the UK Guitarist Magazine's ‘Young Guitarist of The Year’ against stiff competition from all corners of the globe. Quickly joining Irish rockers Sweet Savage (notably Vivian Campbell’s – of Dio/Def Leppard fame – first well known band) Simon recorded two albums and played some major festivals with the outfit. Since then Simon has toured the world as guitarist for many diverse acts. Now, in 2008 Simon’s debut album is released...has he delivered the goods?

OVERVIEW!

Opener ‘Down To The River’ sets out his musical stall with aplomb – groovy riff infused and melodic. With a rich tone filled voice that belies his still comparatively tender years, and a crack band this is a shining example of great playing, great songs and great musicianship.

As a player Simon has very much his own identifiable: a combination of high energy tone rich blues phrasing with more of a rock edge than many of the other players on the Nugene records label. Fans of hard rock players such as Michael Schenker, Viv Campbell and even hints of early to mid period Gary Moore will find much to enjoy here, along with the more usual bluesy suspects such as Walter Trout, Jeff Healey and the Joe Bonamassa.

In the latter tracks such as ‘Tell Me Why’, ‘You Got A Problem’, ‘DC’ and ‘Power Of Soul’ elements of players such as rockier Eric Johnson and even Guthrie Govan enter the equation: and incredibly fluid combination of speedy pentatonic wig outs, sinuous legato, super accurate alternate picking and wide interval licks abound – and all topped off with a glorious rich tone and killer vibrato. His sense of timing warrants special note – slipping behind and ahead of the beat with great elasticity and incorporating some very cool outside lines reminiscent of some of Scott Henderson’s rockier work Simon is a very serious player indeed!

Highlights include the aforementioned tracks as well as a great version of Paul Rogers ‘Be My Friend’ and the melodic ‘So Much To Give’ – but, in truth, the standard is so high throughout this album that to mention any particular tracks isn’t really necessary.

CONCLUSION

This is a simply storming high energy Blues Rock album! Richard Pavitt’s Nugene maintains its much deserved reputation as purveyors of the highest quality guitar music with this release. Much more of a rock crossover than Nugene’s other releases, I strongly recommend this both to blues guitar aficionados as well as more general hard rock fans. As a textbook example of how to combine rock guitar with a bluesy

sensibility this is required listening for all rock guitar players. Highly, highly recommended! - All out guitar