Live review. Shimeon – Bob Dylan Festival
Venue: M19 Bar, Manchester
Date: 27/8/10
Shimeon rarely performs shows but when he does they are always worth it. Great music, bouncy rhythms, passion, themes of love, and foot tapping greats. Tonight was no exception to the rules and as Shimeon and his band took to the stage there was a awe of expectancy in the air. Shimeon stepped out clad entirely in black wearing a long black jacket and holding an acoustic guitar that appeared as rugged as old boots. The set kick started off with Drummer Tim Fishers rhythmic intro to a rich version of Johnny Cash’s, Get Rhythm and followed by Shimeon’s fluent country guitar style and Andrew Fishers rhythmic bass, the hands clapped and the show was alive. And the great set that followed was full of variation and sound and fantastic songs that left no room for twitching fingers or rolling eyes. Shimeon demanded plenty of foot-tapping and applause and had right to do so, backed up by a tight rhythm section and accompanied by wonderful warm harmonies from Joyce Sutherland which were worthy of every composition. Shimeon demonstrated his talent to captivate an audience with a stage presence and a skilled performance complete with a surprise version of Bob Dylan’s masters of war which could easily be counted among the best of them. Tim Fishers rolling toms and dark rhythmic passion and a somewhat masterly deliver of lyrics made the song move so close to the bone that they stabbed and cut.
Stand out tracks Will in chains, Strange World, Just a little lonely, complete with harmonica solo and a bouncy Just what I do, proved that this was a wonderful performance by a wonderful writer and one worthy to be raised among the greats.
Rich Bantain
