The first cut on Darker Than Blue is That Last Page First takes command of your senses with a great blend of guitars and keyboards. Can I Count On You is a lovely ballad with Maria Kelly and Laura Tanod on cello.

Simon, born in Sarnia now living in the Gatineau Hills, delivers a fusion of musical genres including folk, ska, and reggae with influences from the world of rock and jazz. Simon's vocals remind me of Chris Rea and vintage Robbie Robertson. Powerfully passionate as a campfire singer with the haunting intensity of a freight train rolling by under the midnight sky.

"The Road To Hell by Chris Rea was one of those songs that brought me to a standstill the 1st time I heard it" said Craig Simon during a recent interview with PiK, "and Robbie's Storyville on vinyl is always handy, as is Acadie by Daniel Lanois.

Onya is my favourite selection from Darker Than Blue. Simon plays both electrified acoustic 12-sting and classical guitar. Bass, bongos, and drums flow together.

I Don't Wanna Bring You Down is another powerful ballad, accompanied by Cara Griffin on vocals, that draws on his outer perspective of life and love. Shades of Simon and Garfunkel are also evident in this wonderfully produced album, and inspiration to Simon going back to 1972.

With refreshing ease of vocals and strings blending magically together with the distant sounds from a cowbell, I Can't Reach Someone is one of the best toe-tappers from Simon's never ending cache of suprises in this album. 

Darker Than Blue sounds big and bold from his exclusive use of analogue recording techniques, the way music is meant to be heard. 12-tracks in all published and produced by Purplerivermusic.

"My album Darker Than Blue took me a full 10 years to finish - even then, it is only part 1" said Craig Simon, "I am working on part 2, with an eye to one day putting out the lot as a double vinyl record."

www.cdbaby.com/cd/craigsimon

Chris White