Album review: SIMON TOWNSHEND – Reissues

Simon Townshend - reissues

Stir Records [Release date 07.10.16]

As The Who move inexorably towards their final hoorah, Pete Townshend’s brother Simon – a mere nipper at the age of 55, and a part of the touring band for the past 20 years – has decided it’s time to revitalise his own back catalogue on his own label with remastered reissues of his last two albums – Looking Out Looking In (2012) and Denial (2014), both with bonus tracks. Both were originally US-only releases.

As far as his solo work goes, you can park the Who connection – while he grew up around the band, his influences in the 1970s were far wider – his own vocals having the vaguest hints of Gabriel/Collins-era Genesis (he was a fan back in the day) mixed with elements of Tom Petty and Elvis Costello, and musically the material is on a par with the solo output of Thunder guitarist Luke Morley – well-crafted soft rock more naturally attuned to American audiences.

With a solid supporting cast of son Ben on drums and Tony Lowe (lead guitar, bass and piano) complementing his own vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, and mandolin; the bonus tracks on Looking Out Looking In feature Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder (who Townshend has worked with and who regards himself as a fan).

By his own admission not the most naturally gifted of guitarists or singers, Townshend has worked hard to make the most of his attributes and opportunities, and while neither album is going to knock any doors down, they’re good ‘honest’, uncomplicated, works of a solid jobbing musician.

There’s just the faintest of hints in some of the rhythm guitar work and chord progressions of The Who (naturally enough, given his close association with the band over the last two decades), but in essence the projects are poles apart.

The greatest strengths on display here lie in the song writing which, in the right hands, feels like it could undoubtedly score big. But in their current unassuming form, while toe tapping, admirable, and an enjoyable listen, neither re-release is likely to set any pulses unexpectedly racing. ***1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)