Was able to catch Simo at the Loft in Columbus, GA a week or so ago. Haven't grinned like that in a while. Neal Lucas opened up. A great blues guitarist and better singer. I must mention a drummer who sat in on the tiniest kit. He was one of the funkiest I've heard. Had a great voice as well. If I heard correctly, he was due to get married the following day. That amused me for some reason.
For those of you not familiar with JD Simo, he moved to Nashville a few years back. After a meager first year, he hooked up with Don Kelley (his band's guitar spot has been held by Guthrie Trapp, Brent Mason, Daniel Donato, Redd Volkaert, and Johnny Hiland). That band played a lot of older country and roots rock and roll, and if you're ever in Nashville, they are probably playing...and playing with some really hot guitarist.
JD's band is simply called Simo, and they are an unbelievably gifted power trio. Think Cactus, Mountain, Cream, James Gang, and early Gov't Mule. Oodles of chops, great songs, a few tasty covers of "Turn on Your Lovelight" and the Cocker version of "With a Little Help from My Friends." His tone in the trio falls firmly in that Gibson through Marshall early 70's heaven.
They would do 2-3 songs relatively straight and then go off on a 15-20 minute tangent. Rather than just taking long solos, they were chasing each other around musically. A lot of telepathy on stage that worked more often than not. Mostly, I really liked the reckless abandon and risk-taking.
I must also mention what a genuinely pleasant and humble guy he was. Spoke to him briefly before and after the show, and you can immediately tell he's in it for the right reasons. By the way, he mentioned that his new release is in the can and should be out in the next few months.
I know some of you on here know of him through his jamming with Jack Pearson or Joe Bonnamassa or opening up for Gregg recently, but I thought some of others might want to check him out.
Peace.
Blooby
with the Don Kelley Band:
A crappy quality trio video that gets the point across:
It just dawned on me that his singing in that last video reminded me a bit of Adam Hirsh from The Hatters.
[Edited on 6/29/2015 by Blooby]
with the Don Kelley Band:
Good stuff! 
Made even better by that Fender. 😛 
with the Don Kelley Band:
Good stuff!
Made even better by that Fender. 😛
I'm a Fender guy myself for the most part, but as i was thinking about it, a lot of the power trios I mentioned were predominantly Gibson dudes. Regardless, he's a monster and deserves some notoriety.
Blooby
He's really good. His version of Texas Flood pops up on XM's Bluesville every now and then. It's a killer version.
J.D. in a familiar place, playing a kinda' well known Gibson.
Spot on observation of Simo. The wife and I caught him at the Ryman when he opened for Gregg in January
Really impressed with his and the bands playing.
He is opening for Royal Southern Brotherhood in Macon in April. Would catch him there but that is the same Friday
Of Wanee, where RSB is playing opening night, Thursday.
Speaking of great new/young players want to put a plug in for Bart Walker, Whois replacing Devon in RSB.
I believe Wanee is their last show together. HAve seen Bart sever times around Nashville (he lives just north of town) and been more than impressed every time. Also another great and humble guy.
Just a bump to mention Simo released an EP. It's available from his/their site.
Peace.
Blooby
I missed JD Simo when he played in Augusta, GA a few weeks ago. Still kicking myself in the butt for that. Incredible player from the vids I've seen.... 😉
And Neal Lucas aint no slouch
Ran into JD Simo on Sunday night at Third and Lindsley in Nashville.
The wife and I went to catch Warren and Railroad Earth.
After the show I went to to bank stage door as I had a shot I had taken of
Warren at an earlier show that I wanted to get signed.
We get back there and a lady is talking to a guy with her back to me.
But I didn't have to see her to know it was DJ and Mrs Warren Stef.
Then I look to see who she is talking to and tell the wife the guy looked like Somo.
On second glance it was. And then I see a third guy in their conversation.
So I say to the wife, don't stare, but that's Joe Bonnamassa standing about 10 feet away.
Turns out they were both waiting, as we were, to chat with Warren.
REALLY great night as it turned out, both the show and post show!
