Stephen Simmons - What The Midnight Swallows Whole
Review by Joaquín Guzmán
Stephen Simmons' latest album, What The Midnight Swallows Whole, is a stunning collection of songs that showcases his exceptional musicianship and storytelling abilities. From the opening track, "A World Without," to the hauntingly beautiful "The Sound of the World," Simmons takes listeners on a journey through the human experience with his poignant lyrics and soulful melodies.
The album's title track, "What The Midnight Swallows Whole," is a standout, with its driving rhythm and powerful vocals. Simmons' ability to capture the complexities of life is evident in tracks like "The Last Call," which speaks to the struggles of addiction and the search for redemption.
Throughout the album, Simmons' skillful guitar work and masterful arrangements create a rich and dynamic sound that perfectly complements his lyrics. His voice is raw and emotive, conveying a wide range of emotions with each song.
Table of Contents
Download
Filename: stephen-simmons-what-the-midnight-swallows-whole.rar- MP3 size: 74.1 mb
- FLAC size: 591.5 mb
Tracks
| Track | Duration | Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Old Man and the Traveler | 4:37 | |
| Hitchhiker's Blues (Living's For The Dying) | 4:34 | |
| Red Dirt | 4:12 | |
| Sinner's Grin | 3:18 | |
| Guardian, West Virginia | 3:25 | |
| Old Man And The Traveler | 4:37 | |
| Demise of Levi Prince | 5:34 | |
| Sid Copley's Shadow | 3:27 | |
| Leader of Men | 3:51 | |
| Sinner's Grin | 3:18 | |
| Sid Copley's Shadow | 3:27 | |
| Hitchhiker's Blues (Living's for the Dying) | 4:34 | |
| Demise Of Levi Prince | 5:34 |
Images
Catalog Numbers
SA7Labels
- Not On Label
- Locke Creek Records
Listen online
- ouvir online
- online luisteren
- escuchar en línea
- écouter en ligne
- lyssna på nätet
- ascolta in linea
- lytte på nettet
- online anhören
- kuunnella verkossa
Formats
- 8 × File
- MP3
- Album
- 320 kbps
- CD
Companies
| Role | Company |
|---|---|
| Recorded At | Howard's Apartment |
| Engineered At | Howard's Apartment |
| Mixed At | Howard's Apartment |
| Mastered At | Yes Master |
| Published By | Stone Fence Music |
Credits
| Role | Credit |
|---|---|
| Backing Vocals | Jen Gunderman |
| Design | Adam Pinney |
| Drums | Dave Ray |
| Percussion | Dave Ray |
| Electric Upright Bass | Jared Manzo |
| Mastered By | Alex McCollough |
| Producer | David Coleman |
| Recorded By | David Coleman |
| Engineer | David Coleman |
| Mixed By | David Coleman |
| Guitar | David Coleman |
| Electric Guitar | David Coleman |
| Acoustic Guitar | David Coleman |
| Mandolin | David Coleman |
| Violin | David Coleman |
| Organ | David Coleman |
| Bass | David Coleman |
| Vocals | Stephen Simmons |
| Photography By | Stephen Simmons |
Notes
- Songs have always come to me from the strangest of places. Song titles, phrases, couplets, melodies, stories & vague outlines have found me whether late at night working a factory job as a teenage college kid, driving down country roads, alone at night fueled by whiskey, daydreaming at a desk job, or listening to another songwriter inspire me on a stage somewhere. I’ve often thought how it’s almost like sometimes someone taps you on the shoulder and whispers in your ear: well, this time someone literally did.
- The songs on this album are a departure from my normal writing process. Jeff Wickland approached me with the idea of looking at his lyrics to see if I might be able to put music to them back in 2010. I had met Jeff several times over the years at shows I played in his native West Virginia, and later on in Nashville (where he and his wife have since relocated). I made no promises to Jeff upfront, as it is always difficult to predict how the creative process will (or will not) unfold. I was pleased to find very inspiring writing in these rural, gothic tales that harken back to the ones passed down in my family in Southern Central Tennessee: and whose influence on me inspired many of my own story songs and writing style early on. I found it easy to see through the eyes of these characters Jeff had created and to express their words in song with emotions that are very familiar to me. The voices of these characters are of another time, yet their yearnings and desires primordial and timeless. I thought that these songs deserved an audience and teamed up with my longtime musical collaborator Dave Coleman to help bring these songs to life. The three of us hope that you enjoy them.
- credits
- released March 25, 2014
- Words by Jeff Wickland / SESAC / Stone Fence Music
- Music by Stephen / SESAC / Shiny Geode Music
- Produced by Dave Coleman
- Recorded, Engineered and Mixed by Dave Coleman at Howard's Apartment Studio, East Nashville, TN
- Mastered by Alex McCollough at Yes Master Studios in Nashville, TN
- Cover photo by Stephen Simmons
- Design by Adam Pinney
- Stephen Simmons: vocals, acoustic guitar
- Dave Coleman: electric guitar, mutli-chord guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin, organ, percussion, bass
- Dave Ray: drums, percussion
- Jen Gunderman: backing vocals
- Eamon McLoughlin: violin
- Jared Manzo: upright bass
About Stephen Simmons
Stephen Simmons was raised in the small town of Woodbury, Tennessee. His mother was a schoolteacher and his father held a factory job. In his family, they were the first generation that didnt work the farm. As a songwriter and Ten years as a Road Dog, Stephens vision has grown to entail more than just reflections of rural America. The songs on his recordings, deal with existential realities that are familiar to country and city dwellers alike: redemption, heartbreak, hangovers and the loneliness of the road. Stephens records: Last Call, Drink Ring Jesus, Something In Between, The Blames On U.S., Girls, The Big Show and Hearsay (which were compared to everyone from Johnny Cash to Ryan Adams) combine virtuosic songcraft and musicianship with unparalleled artistic honesty. His work has been covered by Mojo Music, Uncut, and The Washington Post.
Simmons released his debut studio album, Last Call, in 2004. Lay On The Tracks , a standout track from Last Call, was a winner at the prestigious MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Competition. Last Call was praised by critics on both sides of the Atlantic, picked up and released by Rounder Europe Records; followed by three more Rounder Europe releases and extensive touring in Europe. As a Songwriter with Television credits (Sons of Anarchy) and as a steady road act (over 700 shows in past decade in ten countries) Simmons continues to evolve as an artist. His most recent albums have been released by USA indie label Lower 40 Records and in Europe on Germanys premiere roots label; Blue Rose Records.
