Reviews

Dave Johns[Scrag End Folk Club]
Simon Jackson played a 40 minute featured spot at the Scrag End Folk Club last Sunday. We were absolutely knocked out! A very packed lounge bar was enthralled by Simon's guitar work and voice. He managed to penetrate a crowded room with no PA and still his voice was as clear as a lark. His choice of material was spot on with superb arrangements. Simon also played some of his own material which was equally as good as the covers he performed. I have him booked for a guest night at the club. Simon is an up and coming star of the folk scene.

fROOTS June 2008
Simon Jackson Sailing the Ice (own label no cat. no.) First solo disc from leader of the eclectic Tangata gang. An engrossing selection of songs and satisfyingly virtuoso self-penned instrumentals (influences from Renbourn and Martyn to flamenco). The songs include a Carthyesque trad. arr, some thoughtful covers and respectable originals. Classy help from Beth Noble and Steafan Hannigan, among others. www.SimonGuitar.co.uk

Around Kent Folk – Issue 30 – Dec. / Jan. 2009
Simon Jackson – Sailing the Ice
Simon is a fine, almost soulful singer and a brilliant guitarist. He also writes some gorgeous songs and instrumentals. ‘Sal’s Lament’ was begun when snowbound in Kent ’89 and dedicated to the memory of Christopher Powell. The songs ‘Stainless & Cold Pressed Steel’ and ‘Sailing the Ice’ are about a guy who built his yacht to sail to areas where the seas freeze – but family life intervened. ‘Coals on the Devil’s Hearth’ inspired by a fairy story. He skilfully reworks the traditional ‘Willie’s Lady’ with Steafan Hannigan playing bodhran. Maggie Holland’s ‘A Place Called England’ and Huw William’s ‘Rosemary’s Sister’ are sung with great depth and conviction. Guitar transcriptions and lyrics on web. A very talented guy, he recorded and engineered the CD. We hope to hear more of him in the future.

Neil Fatea – FATEA.com
I'm a huge fan of the music of Freddie Phillips, best known for the music for Trumpton, Camberwick Green and Chigley. Simon Jackson's guitar style reminded me very much of that, almost whimsical and enchanting sound. He sprinkles instrumentals through the album and blends them with songs, both self penned and adapted from the likes of Maggie Holland and Huw Williams. Like a lot of folk tales, including his take on "Coals On The Devil's Hearth", there is a darker side to the songs that is often at odds with the deceptively simple melodies that support them. An impressive debut.

Maggie Holland
I just listened to your version of "Place called England" -it sounds excellent!

John Chambers - Second Time Around Folk Club
Simon Jackson impressed us all when he visited us in June and his ‘guest’ appearance was another success. A very fine guitarist, much influenced in his style by his early classical tuition he has now developed a unique style with great range of technique and sublime and very impressive use of harmonics. He can drive his playing along at a fine pace when needed, as demonstrated in various instrumentals, accompanied splendidly by Beth. Apparently it was only Beth’s second time in a folk club but she certainly warmed to the evening and enjoyed herself as we did her. Simon is also a good judge of fine songs. He did an unusual version of ‘Spencer the Rover’, Maggie Holland’s ‘A Place called England’ an excellent self penned song ‘Stainless and Cold Pressed Steel’ a boatmaker song and associated self composed tune ‘Sailing the Ice’. A highlight for me was the excellent Huw Williams’ song ‘Rosemary’s Sister’ beautifully performed. Terrific performances from both Simon and Beth and well supported by a good number of their own friends as well as a good number of our regulars.




	Reviews Dave Johns[Scrag End Folk Club] Simon Jackson played a 40 minute featured spot at the Scrag End Folk Club last Sunday. We were absolutely knocked out! A very packed lounge bar was enthralled by Simon's guitar work and voice. He managed to penetrate a crowded room with no PA and still his voice was as clear as a lark. His choice of material was spot on with superb arrangements. Simon also played some of his own material which was equally as good as the covers he performed. I have him booked for a guest night at the club. Simon is an up and coming star of the folk scene. fROOTS June 2008 Simon Jackson Sailing the Ice (own label no cat. no.) First solo disc from leader of the eclectic Tangata gang. An engrossing selection of songs and satisfyingly virtuoso self-penned instrumentals (influences from Renbourn and Martyn to flamenco). The songs include a Carthyesque trad. arr, some thoughtful covers and respectable originals. Classy help from Beth Noble and Steafan Hannigan, among others. www.SimonGuitar.co.uk Around Kent Folk – Issue 30 – Dec. / Jan. 2009 Simon Jackson – Sailing the Ice Simon is a fine, almost soulful singer and a brilliant guitarist. He also writes some gorgeous songs and instrumentals. ‘Sal’s Lament’ was begun when snowbound in Kent ’89 and dedicated to the memory of Christopher Powell. The songs ‘Stainless & Cold Pressed Steel’ and ‘Sailing the Ice’ are about a guy who built his yacht to sail to areas where the seas freeze – but family life intervened. ‘Coals on the Devil’s Hearth’ inspired by a fairy story. He skilfully reworks the traditional ‘Willie’s Lady’ with Steafan Hannigan playing bodhran. Maggie Holland’s ‘A Place Called England’ and Huw William’s ‘Rosemary’s Sister’ are sung with great depth and conviction. Guitar transcriptions and lyrics on web. A very talented guy, he recorded and engineered the CD. We hope to hear more of him in the future. Neil Fatea – FATEA.com I'm a huge fan of the music of Freddie Phillips, best known for the music for Trumpton, Camberwick Green and Chigley. Simon Jackson's guitar style reminded me very much of that, almost whimsical and enchanting sound. He sprinkles instrumentals through the album and blends them with songs, both self penned and adapted from the likes of Maggie Holland and Huw Williams. Like a lot of folk tales, including his take on "Coals On The Devil's Hearth", there is a darker side to the songs that is often at odds with the deceptively simple melodies that support them. An impressive debut. Maggie Holland I just listened to your version of "Place called England" -it sounds excellent! John Chambers - Second Time Around Folk Club Simon Jackson impressed us all when he visited us in June and his ‘guest’ appearance was another success. A very fine guitarist, much influenced in his style by his early classical tuition he has now developed a unique style with great range of technique and sublime and very impressive use of harmonics. He can drive his playing along at a fine pace when needed, as demonstrated in various instrumentals, accompanied splendidly by Beth. Apparently it was only Beth’s second time in a folk club but she certainly warmed to the evening and enjoyed herself as we did her. Simon is also a good judge of fine songs. He did an unusual version of ‘Spencer the Rover’, Maggie Holland’s ‘A Place called England’ an excellent self penned song ‘Stainless and Cold Pressed Steel’ a boatmaker song and associated self composed tune ‘Sailing the Ice’. A highlight for me was the excellent Huw Williams’ song ‘Rosemary’s Sister’ beautifully performed. Terrific performances from both Simon and Beth and well supported by a good number of their own friends as well as a good number of our regulars.