WalkAbout by Thomas Simon

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album review appearing in

Sound Monitor, Australia (8/04 issue):

THOMAS SIMON

WalkAbout: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

(Endorphin)

Multi-instrumentalist Thomas Simon has been there, done that, and recorded the experience for proof. Austrian born, Simon relocated to New York City to further his musical career - a move which saw him gain experience in the oft-travelled indie-rock live circuit, score composition and the ever-expanding multimedia sector. So with film scores, live drama production and numerous independently released rock albums under his belt, there was only one thing left to do: travel the world armed with a camera, sound recording equipment and vague idea about a film and soundtrack release.

Documenting his trips to Nepal, India, Brazil and back home to Austria, Simon invited musicians from the area to record with him. The sounds were then taken back to NYC, manipulated and fused together. As such the list of musicians and the instruments played read is a veritable tome of street-performers and spontaneous artists.

Sonically, it all comes together in an unusual mix of Dead Can Dance tribalism, Nine Inch Nails darkness, Moby funk, Hater indie and Ennio Morricone squalls. Extensive tribal 'jams' are fused with big rock beats and sournote vocals, with dashes of industrialized rhythms.

'Music is the Cure' reminds this listener of the few Shihad b-sides that droned in lo-fi post-rock, while 'Rock Jog' comes off as a mid-eastern Led Zeppelin with it's 70's prog guitar tones and it's tabla, flute and myriad of other instruments, while album closer 'Wo Kann Mann Noch Leben' further explores lo-fi post-rock with Brazillian percussion and dark vocals.

In summary, WalkAbout is an interesting if not necessarily cohesive recording, at times rockin', at others soothing, and others still noisily disturbing, It is an album that'll have the listener dreaming of places never visited, inspiring a longing for long-distance travel.

by Warren Wheeler

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review by SpaceRock, UK (8/04 issue)

Thomas Simon - WalkAbout; Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Thomas Simon is an Austrian born, New York based multi-media artist who has released several albums of soundtrack material as well as several albums with alternative rock band, Love Alien.

This, however, is an actual soundtrack to his debut documentary feature, "Thomas Simon Walkabout" filmed in New York City, Vienna, Brazil, Nepal and India.

Simon uses the film to explore the meaning of music across different cultures as he interviews and performs with musicians from different backgrounds and cultures.

Simon took the music he recorded back to New York City, where he added vocals, guitars, bass, keys, sitar and kalimba to the sounds recorded across the world. Which is probably why there is a strand of unity running through all the compositions. It would have been interesting to hear the raw, street recordings to compare them with the finished product, as the end result seems to be more a vision of Thomas Simon than a record of collaboration.

But that aside, this is still an accomplished piece of work, with the

highlights being the suite of tracks originally recorded in Nepal

("Prelude", "Rock Jog" and "Himal Healing", which revisits the world explored by Shakti, and is quite captivating.

An admirable conceit, and one that is ultimately rewarding.

Reviewer: Stuart aka zeitgeist

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Film Review:

'ThomasSimonWalk About', a documentary/musical travelogue"

This captivating and inspirational film explores the meaning of music across different cultures as Simon finds his direction in life while traveling from New York to Nepal, India, Brazil and Austria interviewing musicians and new friends. A truly life-changing film full of the search for peace and meaning in these confusing times.

Speaking in the universal languages of music and love for mankind, Simon connects with these new friends and through this film connects us to them as well. I left feeling as if I had gone on a needed uplifting journey - a visit to the guru - a voyage of self exploration.

The most powerful scene is of a lovely young woman working amongst the children in an orphanage. She poignantly says "if I am not helping and giving then my life means nothing". I suddenly felt the same - inspired to give back to the world.

Julie Brannon

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featured conversations are with:

in Vienna:

Andreas Simon, Klaus Muhr

in Salvador:

D.Corral, Xuxa, Reinaldo, Annalisa Pilo

in Kathmandu:

Dhrubesh Chandra Regmi, Udaya Man Tamrakar, Atul Prasad Gautam

in Varanasi:

Dr.Sunanda Patnaik, Mor Murkut Kedia, Manoj Kr. Kedia

in NewYorkCity:

Jill Simon, Kevin Kelly

MUSICIANS FEATURED IN 'WalkAbout' SOUNDTRACK:

In Salvador:

Xuxa, Reinaldo, Paulo, percussions; samples of Pelo Cover, percussions; samples of Cortejo Afro, percussions........and the elements....

In Kathmandu:

Dhrubesh Chandra Regmi, sitar; Atul Prasad Gautam, tabla; Umesh,flute; Shyam Nepali, sarangi; samples of Udaya Man Tamrakar, singing bowl...............

In Varanasi:

Mor Murkut Kedia, sitar; Manoj Kr. Kedia, sarod; Samples of Ishwar Lal Mishra, tabla.................

In New York City:

Jill Simon, backing vocals; Susan Mitchell, violin; Jim Galbraith, drums.............

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Originally from Vienna, Austria,

Composer/Musician/Producer/Filmmaker, Thomas Simon, has toured internationally (Love Alien, T.S.MSF); has been commissioned to created music for film, tv and theater.

He filmed the documentary/musical travelogue "Thomas Simon WalkAbout" all through 2003 (Europe, South America, Central Asia).

The muscial travelogue was officially selected by five Film Festivals in North America in '05 and '06.

He produced numerous records, which received airplay on commercial and college radio worldwide....

In 2007, Simon is playing shows and Festivals in Eastern Europe with his alternative rock, xtc outfit: MUSICIENS SANS FRONTIÉRES.

He resides in New York City.

more info: www.endorphinrecords.com

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