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    The Phantom Tollbooth 1997/Simon Goodall
    Simon Goodall — Plugged In and Connected cover

    Simon Goodall

    Plugged In and Connected

    (1997)

    Reviewed by James Stewart

    Label ICC RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1997
    acousticccmfolk

    Here we have six acoustic-guitar tracks with other instruments adding their sound in places. Simon Goodall's name appears in the lyric credits for two tracks, while the others have been written by artists like Wes King, Paul Field, Judi Mackenzie Dunn, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. The lyrics are clear and well-constructed, and deal with various life-situations, but they unfortunately lack any real sparkle of life themselves. The vocal and guitar duties are covered competently. Goodall has a clear voice, and the songs chosen fit his range well. Production-wise, I am not impressed with the use of other instruments. Some of the string arrangements and percussion aren't too bad, but the electric piano arrangements detract from the sound and struck me as slightly tacky. This EP would almost certainly have sounded better if it had been left as solo-guitar. It'll be a useful calling card for Simon Goodall to draw some attention to himself but is not a purchase I would recommend.

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