11 October 2009
Berman Music Foundation
Tom Ineck

Pianist Fred Simon's keyboard style has been unfairly labeled "fusion" or "new age," with all of the negative connotations those narrow confines imply. His lyrical touch and keen melodic sense transcend the merely meditative, and his original tunes haunt the memory without ever seeming trite.

Simon's latest release, "Since Forever" has been haunting me for several weeks now. I find myself returning to it day after day, always discovering some subtle rhythmic change or some exquisite harmonic phrase that I had missed the last time. Conversely, his tunes often sound timeless on first hearing. That is a true composer's natural gift and a listener's delight.

Over a period of 30 years, Simon's musical associations have ranged from guitarists Larry Coryell, Ralph Towner and Fareed Haque to violinist Jerry Goodman, bassists Steve Rodby and Michael Manring and reed virtuoso Paul McCandless. For his latest, he again taps some of his longtime cohorts, creating a seamlessly cohesive quartet that also features McCandless, Rodby and drummer Mark Walker.

"Since Forever" has an elegiac quality. In fact, three of the 12 tracks are memorials. Yet, the recording eschews cheap, maudlin sentimentality for a more profound, sadness-tinged celebration of life. The title track, a gorgeous anthem for folksinger and social activist Pete Seeger, is a well-earned tribute to a living American hero.

Simon and McCandless work so well in unison, it's hard to tell them apart sometimes. On "No War Nowhere," with McCandless on soprano sax, they simultaneously play the joyous melody, and then go their separate ways for solo statements. Rodby and Walker are perfectly in synch with the tune's shifting time signature.

Simon pays homage to his late sister with "Even in the Evening," on which McCandless weaves intricate oboe lines against dark piano chords, sustained by a bass ostinato and flashing cymbals. "I Know You Know" is a tantalizing jazz waltz with an irresistible melody that sends McCandless soaring on soprano.

The sole non-original tune is "In a Silent Way," included as a memorial to its composer, Joe Zawinul. It is a hard to imagine a more touching tribute. "More Often Than Not" is a memorial to friend Patti McKenny, a Chicago playwright who died of a heart ailment in June 2008, at age 57. "Simple Psalm" is a new version of a tune first heard on a Windham Hill recording many years ago. Walker and Rodby are allowed some very free playing as Simon and McCandless, on oboe, adhere to the simple folk melody.

"Same Difference" is a piano-oboe duet with yet another memorable, haunting melody. Rodby is featured on "Ways of Seeing," exploring the bass' harmonic range from top to bottom in counterpoint to the piano and soprano sax. "What's the Magic Word?" is a delightfully uptempo ramble. Simon infuses a Middle Eastern sound on "Song of the Sea," with McCandless adding to the mood on the duduk and oboe.

At nearly 64 minutes, "Since Forever" is a generous offering from underappreciated composer and pianist Fred Simon.