John Simon : Out on The Street

[Cover art]

Whimsy, irony and satire were the favored approaches of vocalist/pianist John Simon on this 11-track CD. Sometimes his wry vocals and lean piano support effectively scored points; at other times, he seemed more aloof and detached than insightful. Perhaps the problem came from Simon's choice of instrument and presentation style; it was often extremely reminiscent of Mose Allison, but his wit wasn't as probing or self-mocking. That doesn't mean there weren't some quality numbers on the album, but on the whole, John Simon's disc implied more than it delivered.
-- Ron Wynn, All-Music Guide

Probably the best feature of this CD are the guest appearances and the very varied song styles. The opening number, "Two Ways O' Looking' At The Same Thing" with its brass section come off like a John Philip Sousa jamboree. "Rock And Roll Is An Open Wound" is next, almost a New Age-type song featuring the accomplished John Hall on guitar and the Band's Garth Hudson on synthesizer and accordion. The third tune, the clever and playful "Overpop," deals with the topic of overpopulation in a jazzy way: "Pop. Pop. There's another pop. There's another pop. Everybody's porkin' it. Won't someone put a cork in it?" The title track is excellent, and reunites an association with the Band that dates back to the mid-1960s when he produced the Music From Big Pink LP. Levon Helm and Rick Danko lend a hand on vocals and mandolin.
-- Alan Sheckter

Tracks

1. Two Ways o' Lookin' at the Same Thing
2. Rock and Roll is An Open Wound
3. Overpop
4. Dreamland
5. Lost
6. That Lovesong's Gonna Have to Wait
7. Out on the Street
8. Just a Play
9. Escape
10. Hummin' a Summersong
11. We're All in This Together

Sidemen

• Rick Danko, vocal
• Levon Helm, mandolin/vocal
• Garth Hudson, synthesizer/accordion

John Simon - Out on The Street - 1992 - Vanguard 79470-2