Off At Eleven
Nashville-based guitarist and vocalist JD Simo releases his debut album ‘Off At Eleven’. The album is an all out, blues rock, guitar assault. It is a kaleidoscope of sound, energy and vibe that incorporates elements of Acid rock, traditional blues and free form jazz around JD’s incredible improvisational skills. With Hendrix like guitar solos running all the way through the album, it is a bright, up beat take on the blues.
The title track, ‘Off at 11’ is a completely instrumental track. Something that is quite rare these days. It’s nice to see artists giving the music as much space and relevance as that which is placed on the importance of the lyrics. JD is an incredible guitar player and musician, so why not show it off!
You can tell JD Simo has a number of influences and these influences certainly show their face throughout the album. I must mention ‘I Got Love If you Want It’. A song, with a very English blues feel, similar to early Fleetwood Mac. The rest of the album feels distinctly more ‘American’. I really like this change in pace as it keeps you on your toes whilst you’re listening.
Typically, not staying in the same place musically for very long, the next track takes us somewhere completely different again. ‘Temptation’ is a different beast, it is sexier and soulful. Simo uses spacey guitar tones to seduce the listener, and believe me, we are seduced. His relaxed vocal delivery on this track gives an added sultry quality and those slow brooding solos just make you melt inside.
JD Simo is, as I’ve said, a guitar force to be reckoned with. The album is a sonic masterpiece, taking the listener on a musical journey through all the incarnations of blues rock. I love the fact the album only took three days to make as well and is largely improvisational. It really has a loose jam like feel. Now, this doesn’t mean the quality is any less, in fact I would say, quite the contrary. It really is a smashing album and I can’t wait to hear more from JD Simo
