Simon Home

Review by Clive Pownceby in Living Tradition

"Scarily it's over eight years since Simon emerged as part of the new wave of young British instrumental thrusters, breaking cover with input to the important 'Evolving Tradition' CD. As bassist with Jez Lowe's Bad Pennies since 1998 and more recently adding a partnership with fellow Penny, Andy May to his musical CV, his star can fairly be said to be in the ascendant.

This second solo Fellside album sees the guitarist/singer-songwriter from Morpeth taking an entirely self-written path. Beautiful yearning melodies and tales draw inspiration from the wilds of the Northumberland/Cumbrian countryside he obviously knows and loves so well. The people and places of those lands that populate his songs are wide-screen - no small town concerns here.

Opening track the vivid 'Rory's Still' has its hero, whisky running south from the Borders and hanged for his trouble. Elsewhere 'Young Henderson's' tale of a ghostly robber is epic in the best possible sense whilst 'The Lookout' with its reflections back to WW2 from an old soldier's non rose-tinted hindsight is gently affecting. Haworth writes, plays and sings with unmatched elegance and a fresh creative flow gives this exhilarating album an adventurous spirit.

Supple musicianship colours the instrumental tracks 'Myrdal' which just has Simon's guitar and the subtle mood shading on 'An April Day' written for his sister's birthday adds Andy May's piano with fiddle from Stewart Hardy. The supporting cast on this release also features Rachel Unthank, Terry Haworth and Steve Lawrence. Haworth has assembled a collection of material here that marks him out as a gifted writer, capable of penning the charming as well the powerful and majestic and there's no better flagship for literate, passionate erm, "Britfolk" than this fully realised album. One of the year's finest releases so far and warmly recommended."

Simon Haworth is a singer- songwriter, guitarist and cittern player living in Morpeth, Northumberland.

Simon's debut solo album entitled Coast to Coast, is released on Fellside Recordings FECD136 and gained both national and international recognition. Radio National in Australia played 8 tracks in one 2 hour show! Dirty Linen "a stellar release from a major young talent"

Simon's songwriting is now starting to attract more attention. His song 'Turn to the Sea' won the song-writing competition at The Songs of the Sea Festival in Maryport, West Cumbria. Another song by Simon, 'The North Eastern Line' is featured on the A Full Head of Steam album.

Folk Roundabout "the youthful Simon Haworth shows himself to be a songwriter of real promise"

Simon also played bass with Jez Lowe & the Bad Pennies from July 1998 until March 2004 touring in Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Australia, USA and Canada as well as extensively across the UK.

Pottersfolk, Bedlington - "What do you say about a tall, young, superbly talented singer and guitarist except - WE HATE YOU. But seriously, Simon is going to have a great future and thoroughly deserves the success he's had to date with The Bad Pennies, his solo work, and numerous duos and trios. Simon's one of those performers who seems to be everywhere and is known by everyone. And its all good. "

Folk North West Autumn 2000 - "Coast to Coast is a fine debut from a highly talented singer and multi instrumentalist. Simon Haworth has the talent and ability to launch himself on a long and sustainable solo career"

Folkworks "a brilliant guitarist and a fine singer who is rapidly establishing a name for himself"

Shreds & Patches "His singing and playing were excellent...Simon has a very pleasant and relaxed stage style with a nice line in chat."

Folkwrite "The discovery of a new artist is a great delight, in particular one that creates such a positive impression as did this one on me. His guitar playing is bold,crisp and confident, but always totally within his control and suitably sensitive whatever the style or pace he has chosen to play...his performance as a singer is totally complimentary to his playing. Strong, positive, with confidence in his own abilities but never harsh or unmelodic."

Steve Aal's Music Links "He has a very distinctive harmonic style that gives a special flavour to almost any tune he plays."

The Living Tradition magazine. "subtle guitar accompaniments of quiet complexity"