1. Sal-E – Evidence Of A Struggle, Album – June 9, 2023 –
2. Alan’s Song – Evidence Of A Struggle, Album – June 9, 2023
New music tonight. Evidence Of A Struggle is the brain child of Chicago-based Reverend Billy Simmons (aka: William Simmons), conceived, recorded, mixed and worked on during the height of the COVID lockdown back in the dark old days of the early ’20’s.
What Simmons has managed to accomplish is put together a 13 track debut album of stunning complexity. Even though Simmons is handling all the chores on this debut album, he usually works with a constantly revolving group of musicians who will be in support for live gigs.
But the album tracks are all his, and he’s done a pretty sensational job. Goes for the jugular when he needs to, lays out a vast soundscape for the audience to fall into and come out the other end the rest of the time.
It’s all instrumental and it showcases a lot of virtuosity on the good Reverend’s part.
One of the things that’s become more prevalent lately is the emergence of the solo magician – the artist who has all the technical chops down along with the vision and the ability to put everything that is going on in their head, down on paper, as it were. The singular vision – sometimes it’s a howling success and other times it can be a dreary exercise in self-flagelation. In Simmons’ case it’s a clear, well thought out excursion that knows where its going and how it’s going to get there.
Billy Simmons, it should be noted, is no novice and he comes to his duties as a seasoned veteran, having given his guitar playing abilities as well as song-writing skills to others over the years. This time he’s playing by his own rules and it’s pleasure to witness. For the record: his debut album was issued on June 9th – you can grab it over at Bandcamp. I don’t see it being offered either in vinyl or on CD, but that may change.
In any event, here are two samples from that album as a taste of what to expect from Evidence Of A Struggle – one imagines its the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned.
