The John Simon Interview

In the 21st century the so called digital age the role of a producer and a musician has devolved into a potpourri of inanimate objects, the # of records you sell, how to make a hit, the drum machine, and a shrinking more rigid music industry. It's a far cry from when my guest first happened on the scene. From this hosts perspective idioms were less important then individuality. Enclaves of regional music crossed the great divide from Arkansas to Toronto. Leadership was defined as getting out of the way and letting the wolf howl, or letting the music play the band. This thesis is backed up by the experimentation that went on within the record industry. My guest was involved as a producer and player with Bob Dylan, The Band, Big Brother, BS&T, Seals and Crofts, Taj Mahal and Paul Simon. He came from a classical background with an understanding of how to fuse players who had chops to play across the entire musical spectrum. He did this as a producer, arranger, song writer and composer. It was a Woodstock and post Woodstock mentality that led my guest to his own LPs that are a vexing mix of spoken word, riddles, swing and chance taking. A mix and match of local artists in residence and the hippest of NY studio cats. I spent the entire Christmas Break dancing in a land of sunshine with no inclination to go. My guests records have held up through the years and like strawberry wine have gotten better with age. I spent the entire Christmas Break dancing in a land of sunshine with no inclination to go. he continues to create in his own way and is about to embark on a live tour including a trip to Ellenville, NY and then to Joe's Pub in NYC on April 25th. King Harvest has surely come, John Simon welcome to the JFS.