Influences
Ever since I picked up my first guitar in 1968 I've been writing songs. It's never changed. The moment the guitar's in my hands the process starts and it's always led by the music first. Words come fractionally - or much - later but it's the chord that strikes the first note (hah!). Influences are harder to gauge but I'm no different to any other songwriter in that it's a complex mix. Still I can point the finger of blame at some individuals and groups who have dominated my early listening. If you listen to my tunes and words then a few stand out and come through in the songs: Arlo Guthrie/Eagles/Steve Forbert/Bob Dylan/Leonard Cohen in one corner. The earthy rock tunes of Bruce Springsteen is another with the complexity of Pink Floyd and Supertramp in the third corner, which leaves the final corner. OK it's all too much but the final corner was/is that myriad of great songs that kept (and keep) incentivising the soul - Frank Sinatra (the world's greatest voice?) and more latterly the likes of Keane and Adele (just to remind me that great tunes and great bands/singers always shine through).
So, on the first CD/album - Trafalgar Square? Quite an eclectic mix with hints of Dylan, Springsteen, Guthrie and Pink Floyd - I'm sure anyone could find each influence in one or more of the songs. In 1983 - at the start of my 29 year break from live performances - being too eclectic was regarded as a sign of weakness - today I know it isn't. I hope you like it.
Just One Look musically developed to the point where it's now much harder to identify a clear influence on most of the songs. Sure there's the odd song that you may say has this or that influence but musically things have moved on - a lot. Now it's the music of Simon Arlidge. That's it. Enjoy. Available on itunes, Amazon and selected outlets.
And now we have Burnham Beach. Soon to be released and more fine tuning. The music's 'grown up' a bit and has become more pop orientated but with that Eagles/Floyd/Dylan base that defines my music. It's finally coming together in a new sound that covers a wide audience - I think you'll enjoy it!
Key early influences: albums
Arlo Guthrie Hobo's Lullaby 1972
Pink Floyd Dark Side of the moon 1973
Bob Dylan Desire and Blood on the Tracks 1975
Steve Forbert Jack Rabbit Slim 1979
Bruce Springsteen The River 1980
[You might ask why such a focus on the early influences? What about the newer influences? Yes, there are plenty of bands influencing me right now and some of the new songs for Burnham Beach are verging on Country Pop not Rock! But, while the past may be a foreign country, it's still impossible to escape]
So, on the first CD/album - Trafalgar Square? Quite an eclectic mix with hints of Dylan, Springsteen, Guthrie and Pink Floyd - I'm sure anyone could find each influence in one or more of the songs. In 1983 - at the start of my 29 year break from live performances - being too eclectic was regarded as a sign of weakness - today I know it isn't. I hope you like it.
Just One Look musically developed to the point where it's now much harder to identify a clear influence on most of the songs. Sure there's the odd song that you may say has this or that influence but musically things have moved on - a lot. Now it's the music of Simon Arlidge. That's it. Enjoy. Available on itunes, Amazon and selected outlets.
And now we have Burnham Beach. Soon to be released and more fine tuning. The music's 'grown up' a bit and has become more pop orientated but with that Eagles/Floyd/Dylan base that defines my music. It's finally coming together in a new sound that covers a wide audience - I think you'll enjoy it!
Key early influences: albums
Arlo Guthrie Hobo's Lullaby 1972
Pink Floyd Dark Side of the moon 1973
Bob Dylan Desire and Blood on the Tracks 1975
Steve Forbert Jack Rabbit Slim 1979
Bruce Springsteen The River 1980
[You might ask why such a focus on the early influences? What about the newer influences? Yes, there are plenty of bands influencing me right now and some of the new songs for Burnham Beach are verging on Country Pop not Rock! But, while the past may be a foreign country, it's still impossible to escape]