I first saw JD Simo https://www.simo.fm when he played our A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa motorcycle Freedom Rally. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
It’s an adults-only rally, no one under 18 admitted, but by that time he’d already been touring a couple years; even though he was still only 17. He’s been breaking rules ever since.
I remember being backstage and completely amazed at his talent, and his age had nothing to do with it. He was good, damn good! I admit I quit following his accomplishments after a while, life just got in the way. However, when I heard he had his first solo album coming out I begged to review it and could not wait to listen.
I again was amazed. JD Simo was an awesome talent years ago, and back then I felt I was watching a bit of history in the making. I still feel it when I listen or watch him! The new album is titled “Off at 11” and it is loaded with tracks like “Got Love If You Want It” and “Temptation,” a lovely slow blues that hugs you and sucks you in, holds you tight and doesn’t let go. “Sweet Angel” is another with a similar hold. Or “Mind Trouble” that will have you tapping your foot in double time, unless of course you jump up and dance instead. But my favorite is his tribute to Little Walter with “Boom, Boom, Out Go The Lights.”
JD’s voice is strong, powerful and well-polished; there’s never an off note or one that doesn’t fit. It’s every bit as mellow and amazing as his guitar music. He’s honed them both to perfection. He is known for being improvisational when he plays, and if you like that, then you will love the 16 minute long song called “Accept.”
JD has shared the stage with a Who’s Who of Blues and music. He’s played with the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Lesh and Friends, Blackberry Smoke, Kirk Fletcher, Josh Smith, and so many more. His present tour takes him to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom with Tommy Emmanuel and back to the U.S. in April for a run with Allman Betts. Watch him on stage, look at that smile, this isn’t just a job, it’s not about paying the bills using his talent. He lives for this! Music is his passion and it brings him joy.
Blues is the coolest, honest, most heart-wrenching form of music. And JD is at the top of the game. Look around boys and girls. If you thought you deserved to sit at the cool table; unless you include some blues in you’re listening mix; you need to get up, push your chair in, walk away and don’t come back. You are an embarrassment to your mama.
It occurred to me that Peter Frampton may have made his guitar talk… But Simo, like he himself, gets his guitar mojo to come to life and worm its way into the core of your soul. Buy the new CD. http://radi.al/OffAt11 If it turns out it’s not for you … then maybe you can give it to your mama, she’s probably cool and Mother’s Day is coming.
Check out the track listing below:
- Boom Boom, Out Go The Lights
- Off at 11
- You Need Love
- I Got Love If You Want It
- Temptation
- Mind Trouble
- Sweet Little Angel
- Accept
Check out his live video for “You Need Love” here.
Check out JD Simo’s Europe and United States gigs below:
Wed. 3/13- De Oosterpoort in Groningen, Netherlands
Thu. 3/14- TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, Netherlands
Fri. 3/15- Stadsregio Parkstad Limburg in Heerlen, Netherlands
Sat. 3/16- O13 in Tilburg, Netherlands
Sun. 3/17- Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen in Nijmegen, Netherlands
Tue. 3/19- Nieuwe Luxor Theater in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Wed. 3/20- Royal Festival Hall in London, United Kingdom
Thu. 3/21- City Hall Ballroom in Sheffield, United Kingdom
Fri. 3/22- RNCM in Manchester, United Kingdom
Sun. 3/24- Cambridge Corn Exchange in Cambridge, United Kingdom
Thu. 4/25- MSU Riley Center in Meridian, Mississippi
Fri. 4/26- House of Blues in New Orleans, Louisiana
Sat. 4/27- Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock, Arkansas
Mon. 4/29- Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City, Missouri
Tue. 4/30- Englert Civic Theatre in Iowa City, Iowa
Wed. 5/1- The Castle Theatre in Bloomington, Illinois
Fri. 5/3- Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee
Mon. 5/6- Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Wed. 5/8- The Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska
Thu. 5/9- Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts in Salina, Kansas
Fri. 5/10- The Kessler Theater in Dallas, Texas
Sat. 5/11- The Heights Theater in Houston, Texas
Sun. 5/12- Mohawk in Austin, Texas
Tue. 5/14- Cactus Theater in Lubbock, Texas
Wed. 5/15- National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thu. 5/16- Fox Tucson Theatre in Tucson, Arizona
Fri. 5/17- Orpheum Theatre in Flagstaff, Arizona
Sun. 5/19- Chandler Center for the Arts in Chandler, Arizona
Thu. 6/13- Mon. 6/17- Tommy Emmanuel Guitar Camp in Vail, Colorado
For tickets and further information on any of the shows listed above, click here.
Fans can find JD SIMO at the following locations:
