Simon Fagan
Hired and Fired
It’s feel good music with gorgeous melodies! This E.P. hits you like a thunderbolt from the get-go with its four tracks powerfully performed by this young man, who has a voice that is like a well toned cocky jazz instrument!
At least this is what went through my mind when I first listened to Simon Fagan and his wonderful band; Anthony Gibney – lead guitar, Paddy Joyce – Bass, Dara Munnis – Keys, James Mackin – Drums, Niall O’Sullivan – Trumpet and John Byrne –Sax/Clarinet.
Simon, who was originally a professional Trumpet player, decided he wasn’t comfortable with the formalities involved in that life. He joined one or two bands, but eventually decided to go it alone, writing and producing his own work.
His music has elements of jazz, Soul, Rock and acoustic which when fused together in the right measures, can sound really good. If you listen to these magical numbers, you will understand this!
Influences include big names such as Jeff Buckley, The Doors, Tom Waits, Elvis Presley, and Duke Special. What I love about his songs is the way he seems to break boundaries and marry together an unthinkable mix of genres! But instead of it coming out like a clash of styles, it becomes a bright and beautiful creation that makes you smile with fascination!
This is real genius!
This E.P. was produced by Simon himself and Martin Quinn. Having opened for both Lionel Ritchie and Smokey Robinson, as well as performing in the National Concert Hall and on The Ryan Tubridy Radio Show on Radio 1, this exciting multi-talented guy’s star looks set to rise indeed!
Hired and Fired
The title track from this E.P. this slinky finger clicking number begins with a seductive piano riff, along with cymbal and snare. Lyrics are poignant considering the current global recession. There’s a ragtime mood painted by the carefree clarinet solo. Barely there backing vocals add to the sound and the big ‘HEY’ in the chorus gives it great punch!
This song might be based on an economic downturn theme, but listening to the choppy beat and cheerful melody sung powerfully by Mr. F turns my spirits up!
Bring the dance
Beginning with a tambourine, this is another uplifting number, which goes from minors to majors and is gradually raised from a simple verse, to a big thumping chorus complete with brass section an all!
Simon’s vocal prowess is showed off to great advantage, as he moves jazzily from line to line, with the backing vocalists helping in the rise and fall of the dynamics.
The way a woman should
This is a nice change of mood in this small collection of music. It has a jazz waltz tempo and has a yesteryear quality to it. It would bring to mind theme music from films like ‘Bullet’ or ‘The Saint’. It’s my personal favourite on the E.P. because of the beautiful key change and the overall melody line. The acoustic guitar throughout is lovely and that dramatic infusion as it develops, of trumpet and sax. The piano eventually joins in the profusion of sound. I keep playing this song over and over. The last verse becomes choppy and the piano and trumpet are doing a delightful riff and are then joined by a sax which also plays exciting riffs. Simon’s emotional and confident delivery of this piece de la resistance is of course flawless!
Falling into You
A song I’d need to cha cha to!
This gorgeous number is laid backed, with a gutsy sax riff that wins the thumbs up from me as it brings back memories of my own father who was an accomplished saxophonist.
The melody of ‘Falling into you’ would bring to mind for me, the style of music synonymous with Michael Buble with its lovely jazzy mood and big band sound.
Throughout this whole E.P I found I was grinning like a mad thing, clicking my fingers and vowing to learn the lyrics of all the songs. Simon Fagan’s stuff is what I would term real music. This fabulous collection of songs is only the first step paving his road to success.
Angela Macari O’Looney
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