SIMON SAYS – Spin This +6 [remastered reissue] (2020)

Born from the ashes of two local bands, Spectrum and Rawx, Quebec-based SIMON SAYS released “Spin This” back in 1991 with seven songs in the track list. It is now being fully remastered and re-released – limited, numbered 1000 copies – by Escape Music who have given it a new front cover (a roulette wheel as opposed to a spinning top, which is present into the complete booklet anyway) plus an additional six bonus songs.
Originally produced by ex- April Wine guitarist Gary Moffet, I am somewhat at a loss to understand why this wasn’t a major album at the time, so can only put it down to timing as the year this was released was of course the same year as ‘Nevermind’, and labels (as they always do) only want to have the latest sounds and happily ignore anything else.
If this album had come out in the ’80s then I am sure we would all be well aware of Simon Says, as this is a superb polished melodic rock / power pop album with radio appeal.

The line-up was Johnny Zatylny (lead vocals), Wayne Higgins (bass), Tim Higgins (rhythm guitar), Darryl Stevens (lead guitar), Al Knight (drums) and Matt Coull (keyboards).
If anyone thinks the name of the singer is familiar that may be because he is widely regarded as one of the finest Freddie Mercury impersonators around, but obviously this album is from the early days of his career. However, this give an idea of his powerful, quality abilities as singer / performer.

Great hooks, lush vocals, strong guitars, and cool choruses in the ‘Canadian style’ is the motto of “Spin This”.
The original single from the album, “The Promise”, gained a respectable airplay on the local radio stations, and with someone from April Wine at the helm, even with the grunge scene it is somewhat surprising this wasn’t more widely recognised. Here acoustic guitars allow Zatylny to shine, and one can imagine this going down a storm at arena gigs with lighters in the air.

But there were no arena gigs, and at some point, the band folded, although they had gained quite a following in their home area. And the CD become a collectors piece all over the years.
It is a really easy album to listen to, and although there are times when it could have done with a little more edge, there is no doubt these guys could well have become a major act.

Long out of print, it’s great that Escape Music have stepped up and made this available again with extra tracks. Given the label’s pedigree there will be many who will listen to this just because of who has released it, but this is an album which should be played for the enjoyment factor alone, not the rarity.
Listen to one the bonus tracks, the song named as themselves “Simon Says”, and you’ll soon find yourself singing along as the band crank it up.
This is definitely an album which makes the listener smile with classic melodies.
Highly Recommended

01 – Intro
02 – Love Thing
03 – Let Me Know
04 – When I See You Standing There
05 – Why In The World
06 – Love Don’t Come Easy
07 – The Promise
BONUS TRACKS:
08 – Simon Says
09 – The One
10 – Dreaming
11 – Fallin’
12 – Miles Away
13 – New Year’s Resolution

Johnny Zatylny – lead vocals
Tim Higgins – guitars
Darryl Stevens – guitars
Wayne Higgins – bass
Matthew Coull – keyboards, backing vocals
Alan Knight – drums, backing vocals

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www.amazon.co.uk/Spin-This-Simon-Says/dp/B08B7H3ML2