![]() “…honest, relatable, lived, and the musicianship is almost without fault, making for a fantastically constructed piece of art.” Produced by Roger Askew and recorded and mixed by Mark Estall, it followed on form Rob’s debut E.P, The Heart and the Long Since Dead (2015) and 2016’s Live in Dublin (online only). Inverse Alchemy, released in November 2017 was the band’s first full studio album. Break-ups, excess, addiction, depression, regret, refugees in flight, aged victims of clerical abuse…often juxtaposed with good melodies and a whole lot of heart. Rob Corcoran is a musician who finds kind of mystical solace, and even strange comfort, in the inevitability of human failure that haunts all of us. They include violinist Basia Bartz multi-instrumentalist Lyle Zimmerman, cajon player Hjordis Moon-Badford, keys and electric-guitar maestro Roger Askew and bass player Anna Robinson. Rob made London his home in 2011 and it was here he met and later formed The Necessary Evils, a super-group made up of some of the London alt-folk and americana scene’s most established players. Their influence, all that heart-on-sleeve honesty, is very present in his songs but Rob’s turn of phrase and the vulnerability with which he writes and sings are very much his own. Songs became my obsession”.ĭylan was a gateway to Hank Williams and Leonard Cohen, and later to cult heroes like Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams and John Prine true heavyweights of introspection and story-telling. ![]() I was mesmerized by Bob Dylan in my early teens. “When my friends were all listening to Nirvana I was listening to cassette mix-tapes I had made from my Dad’s old vinyl records, scratches and all. There was a guitar lying around the house upon which he learned his first chords and it was the songs of the old-timers that captivated him most. Family gatherings would always end in song. London-based Rob Corcoran was born and raised in Dublin, a city more familiar with the traditions of music and stories than most. “Excellent, hilarious and lovely” – Camden Comedy Club “Now people are starting to pay attention! A unique voice.” – Baylen Leonard, Amazing Radio “Home grown talent! It sounded wonderful!” Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2 Paul was nominated for Best Instrumentalist at The ‘UK Americana Awards’ in 2016 for his work with Danny and The Champions of the World, whilst drummer Neil Marsh has also toured with county/folk group Ahab, folk singer Jason McNiff and can be seen playing in blues combos at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club. Joining Simon is his impressive band The Shadows Of Doubt who have been working alongside Simon since 2013 a highly experienced, skilled and versatile outfit which includes Paul Lush (Lead guitarist/Producer), Neil Marsh (Drums) and Geoff Easeman (Bass guitar). With influences such as Elvis, Bob Dylan, and John Prine, at best his performances can be gut-wrenchingly moving and just moments later silly, self-deprecating and hilarious. Simon’s live shows are entertaining and engaging with a perfect mix of music and comedy. Although not a comedy album, there is no doubt Simon’s adventure’s in the stand-up world, combined with his love and experience in the world of country and rock n roll, have opened him up creatively to follow his instincts, resulting with Songs from Various Places. The music is impressive, from the energetic punk/rock openerJURASSIC PARK to the soulful vintage-pop sound of BELUGA WHALE, to a song about WATER(You have to have it). This time the record is personality driven, rather than genre driven, and therefore kaleidoscopes through Simon’s musical styles, with each tale covering another interesting subject matter along the way. SONGS FROM VARIOUS PLACES is Simon’s second album release and a step away from his classic country debut released back in 2015. ![]() Emotional depth permeates his tenor voice, although this consummate entertainer’s songs don’t always go where you’d expect. SONGS FROM VARIOUS PLACES is the impressive new album from London based songwriter SIMON STANLEY WARD.Ī respected figure on the London Folk and Roots scene, and more recently now a regular in comedy clubs across the capital, SIMON STANLEY WARD is a unique songwriter and performer with a strong streak of the surreal running through his impassioned, country music veins. Simon Stanley Ward and The Shadows of Doubt
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