Poor Performer will be singing songs of joy, melancholy and biting satire from his new album and extensive back catalogue in a free Sunday afternoon session at Music’s Not Dead in the foyer of DLWP.
SIMON RIVERS has a long history of great, unheralded releases, probably in partly due to his penchant for self-releasing his work back when finding a label to do that for you was de riguer for any ambitious performer . . . now everyone does it, which is possibly why Simon stopped! Through a long string of records as leader of The Bitter Springs, founder of Oldfield Youth Club and popping up on an odd release here or there – Band Of Holy Joy springs to mind, in fact we met him when he jumped onstage at one of their shows to sing a tune with Johny Brown.
Si‘s gone solo, more or less, as Poor Performer. His last release, Like Yer Wounds Too, was four long years ago and if you’ve been wondering what he’s been doing, the answer is here . . . 17 songs (one of ’em a “mystery” track”) adding up to more than an hour’s worth of new music, all on one CD + booklet package, like those we’ve done with HOUSE Of ALL, Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross and Entracte.
This new opus is confoundingly great . . . odes to pub friends and Andy Williams are among our favourites, and Simon’s association with Vic Godard really shines through in lyrics that are weirdly touching, bitingly cynical and truly romantic, not to mention a drama and production that helps explain the lengthy birthing of this fine work! It’s smart, funny, and stunning.
This marvelous work is a strictly limited edition package with the CD featuring a full-colour sleeve and the booklet is an A5 stapled full-colour one (on every page) with all sorts of art and text and lyrics, and it looks like Simon will be playing some dates around the UK throughout the year.
EVENT INFORMATION
Show Start: 3pm in the Foyer
FREE entry, no booking required.