Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This album, "recorded cheaply at home in 2004 using an eight track digital recorder," was issued by Leicester-based Simon in 2004 but has only now got its deserved Cross Rhythms review. It's an impressive effort showing Simon to be a crafter of songs who's grabbed his chance to get some of his song out there with both hands. 'Control Freak' offers punters 22 of Simon's compositions which range from folk roots reels ("I Took A Shot At Nothing"), gritty blues ("Mississippi Mud") and even semi-spoken funk rock ("Razor Sharp Men"). Sometimes the programmed percussion, as on "For Too Long Now", sounds a clumsy and inappropriate addition to what are in essence folk and blues derived songs while Simon's voice, a gutsy growl, wouldn't win too many singing competitions but works well enough on his own material. The songsmith's faith comes through on songs like "Ask Jesus" and the closing soul ballad "I'll See Your Face". All in all a pretty impressive showcase of a grassroots talent and I for one am glad he recorded this swathe of compositions for posterity.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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