I too had read about him, saw he was in playing in Bham in early February, and went only having seen a few youtube videos. Ended up being me and about 20 other people.

And it was just a fantastic evening. Full speed ahead blues rock.

IMHO, his slide playing is not too sophisticated, especially compared to the ABBers - I much preferred him playing standard. I mean, he ain't Geoge Thorogood, but he ain't no Derek Trucks, either.

He's really good!.

I thought so too. Would LOVE to see him live, but every time I go somewhere it's like he was just there or will be there right after I leave town.i

They opened for Deep Purple at the Ryman back in the summer and were super impressive live. JD played Duane's goldtop at that show.

[Edited on 4/12/2016 by WarEagleRK]

A previous thread: http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=XForum&file=viewthread&tid=138388#pid3152871

Saw him open for Gregg at the Ryman a few years back.

Met him behind 3rd and Lindsley while waiting for Warren to come out a few months ago.

Great player and seemed like a great guy as well.

By coincidence i just saw them last night (Spirit of '66 music club in Belgium). First if all i would like to state that i saw "them" because this is a power trio avant le lettre with excellent and powerful drum and bass playing. J.D. himself dislocated one of his knees during their first gig of this European Tour in Paris, France. He played the entire gig while sitting on / leaning against a gear case and the bass player did the same. Fantastic concert with awesome guitarwork. I guess about 100 - 150 people in attendance. Just like on their debut album plenty of catchy and relatively short songs combined with a handful of lengthy "workouts" / jams. My favorite was a very extended "Long May You Sail". Hope the see them again in the summer. Strongly recommend seeing them.
And i agree with pops42 that "He's the "anti" Bonnamassa". Normally a pointless reference but promoters over here kinda try and "sell him" like the new Bonnamassa. I certainly enjoyed last nights show more than the last 2 times i saw mr. Joe "Are my shades, hair and jacket still look fine and dandy" B.

It looks like Bonamassa is losing his hair, so it will just be the suit and shades that he will need to be concerned about.

Well that and merchandising every possible thing with his likeness on it.

It looks like Bonamassa is losing his hair, so it will just be the suit and shades that he will need to be concerned about.

Well that and merchandising every possible thing with his likeness on it.

And taking over what seems like 100 vintage guitars on the road with him, changing guitars on EVERY SONG (how utterly NON-blues) and listing every one he uses on each CD - surprised he doesn't list the appraised value alongside the year, model and serial number.

By coincidence i just saw them last night (Spirit of '66 music club in Belgium). First if all i would like to state that i saw "them" because this is a power trio avant le lettre with excellent and powerful drum and bass playing. J.D. himself dislocated one of his knees during their first gig of this European Tour in Paris, France. He played the entire gig while sitting on / leaning against a gear case and the bass player did the same. Fantastic concert with awesome guitarwork. I guess about 100 - 150 people in attendance. Just like on their debut album plenty of catchy and relatively short songs combined with a handful of lengthy "workouts" / jams. My favorite was a very extended "Long May You Sail". Hope the see them again in the summer. Strongly recommend seeing them.
And i agree with pops42 that "He's the "anti" Bonnamassa". Normally a pointless reference but promoters over here kinda try and "sell him" like the new Bonnamassa. I certainly enjoyed last nights show more than the last 2 times i saw mr. Joe "Are my shades, hair and jacket still look fine and dandy" B.

Thanks for the review, Dutch. Man, I would LOVE to see him in a small club in Europe....almost sounds like a fantasy of mine. You're a lucky man!

I'm apparently out of the loop-this thread got me to check them out. I like them!

Turns out they are playing a festival I'll be at in May-here's hoping for a good slot, and no schedule conflicts.

For what it's worth to not rip on him too much, I like a lot of Bonamassa's work... just never liked the posturing and the merchandise machine that he became over time.

However, Simo needs to get someone like Bonamassa's manager and Kevin Shirley pushing them.

For what it's worth to not rip on him too much, I like a lot of Bonamassa's work... just never liked the posturing and the merchandise machine that he became over time.

However, Simo needs to get someone like Bonamassa's manager and Kevin Shirley pushing them.

I respectfully disagree. Shirley would sanitize Simo's sound. One of the problems I have with JB - who I saw for the first time with Bloodline in about '92 at Schuba's in Chicago with BO jr. as well as Waylon Krieger and Miles Davis' son (he was 17 and Smokin' Joe back then) is that his recordings are WAY too slick. Shirley's production just sucks all the life out Bonamassa's sound.

Obviously I am in the minority on this - after all, who can argue with success? And JB is nothing is not successful - probably the understatement of the year. But I just can't stand the REO (who Shirley used to work with) - type production of his discs for my taste. And it extends into his live sound - I've never liked his bands, in particular his drummer, Tal Bergman. The guy's a hack of a drummer. But he's also a producer and I think he helped open doors for Joe back in the earlier days.

That said, I totally respect Bonanmassa's work ethic. The guy WORKS HIS ASS OFF and has earned his success strictly from a paying dues standpoint. His stamina, focus and drive border on the superhuman.

But I really don't like his calculated, paint - by - numbers, check - the - box approach to the Blues. Works for him, for sure, but it doesn't work for me as a listener.

Simo is RAW and REAL to my ears. Someone like Shirley would absolutely ruin that.

I wasn't really talking about Kevin Shirley specifically, more Simo needs their version of Bonamassa's team to works endlessly to promote the band and their music. Bonamassa has built a great machine and they worked hard to get where they are. If Simo (or any young band/artist) could build that kind of infrastructure it would be greatly helpful in getting recognized and building momentum that can break an artist.

I do agree that Bonamassa is a little too slick, and while he's not my favorite, but I do like a lot of his stuff.

I wasn't really talking about Kevin Shirley specifically, more Simo needs their version of Bonamassa's team to works endlessly to promote the band and their music. Bonamassa has built a great machine and they worked hard to get where they are. If Simo (or any young band/artist) could build that kind of infrastructure it would be greatly helpful in getting recognized and building momentum that can break an artist.

Agreed. Point taken and accepted.

Like I said in a previous post, I really enjoy reading your posts, WERK. They are always well written, thoughtful and very interesting.

I appreciate it. I am mostly full of rambling snarky comments, but occasionally I can come up with a gem.

[Edited on 4/13/2016 by WarEagleRK]

I appreciate it. I am mostly full of rambling snarky comments, but occasionally I can come up with a gem.

[Edited on 4/13/2016 by WarEagleRK]

Well, keep on ramblin' then...

Man, I would LOVE to see him in a small club in Europe....almost sounds like a fantasy of mine.

I hate to admit this but I had a ticket to see them in London last week and didn't go!

It's an age thing, I think - motivating myself to venture out on a cold, rainy evening to take two trains and a 10 minute walk to the venue - to see a band I may not like.

I'll try to catch them next time!

Man, I would LOVE to see him in a small club in Europe....almost sounds like a fantasy of mine.

I hate to admit this but I had a ticket to see them in London last week and didn't go!

It's an age thing, I think - motivating myself to venture out on a cold, rainy evening to take two trains and a 10 minute walk to the venue - to see a band I may not like.

I'll try to catch them next time!

I'm sure he'll be back. But maybe not in the same size venue.

A youtube excerpt from last nights show. The sound is...well youtube-ish but that big fat tone on slide shines through!

Here's a cool 12 minute + jam from last night with a fantastic drum solo (certainly not a bathroom moment!):

[Edited on 4/13/2016 by ABBDutchFan]

Thanks for posting the video, Dutch. I really like his slide playing...just the right amount of bite. And his tone....just awesome.

Can't wait to see this guy. Another road trip looks to be in order.....

Here's another one:

SIMO - Tell Me Baby @ SPIRIT OF 66, VERVIERS - 12/04/16‏

Enjoy!

Sorry, for this tsunami of posts but i just wanted to add this clip from one of my fave SIMO songs:

SIMO - video 5 @ SPIRIT OF 66, VERVIERS - 12/04/16‏

Long May You Sail....with a mighty extended guitar solo.

A youtube excerpt from last nights show. The sound is...well youtube-ish but that big fat tone on slide shines through!

OK, now I see what all the fuss is about !!

Thanks for the heads up. SIMO is exactly what I like to hear!

The drummer for Simo was a wildman when I saw them.

They did a killer version of "With A Little Help From My Friends" in Nashville.

Thanks for the heads up. SIMO is exactly what I like to hear!

Me too. Glad I could help!

OMG...they're opening for Blackberry Smoke, who're my favorite new "Southern (i.e. Redneck - in a GOOD way) Rock" band - in Charlottesville on May 22. Man, I am SO there....

Every year or so, people who know I like the blues text me about how much i'd like this guy Joe Bonamassa...

I've tried a few times but I just don't like it. The guy is technically amazing, but there's something missing to my ear. Now I can text back and tell em to listen to SIMO.