Simon Beck
Solo blues keyboardist, also plays bass guitar.
A wry look at modern technology, with a funky groove and plenty of Wurlitzer electric piano, organ, double bass and synth brass, all played by myself, along with rhythm programming, vocals and production.
"Genie" by Simon Beck is a Comedy production available on SoundClick. The sound is shaped by organ and double bass, giving the song its signature feel. The track creates a listening experience that feels comedy, r&b and funk rock. It has reached the top 10 on the SoundClick Comedy chart, peaking at #5. SoundClick gives artists like Simon Beck a platform to share original Comedy music with listeners around the world. You can download this track free of charge.
The well-known standard. Acoustic and electric archtop guitars, electric upright bass and sampled percussion all played by myself. A bit sloppy, but there you go...
Independent artist Simon Beck drops "SUMMERTIME", a Swing track on SoundClick. Featuring double bass, the production has a distinctive and cohesive sound. This track holds its own in the swing landscape — a confident, well-executed piece. "SUMMERTIME" has peaked at number 4 on the SoundClick Swing chart. Find more from Simon Beck on SoundClick, a platform built for independent music discovery. Download this track for free.
Two electric guitars, bass and electric violin, playing something between funk and bluegrass over a drum machine backing. All instruments played by Simon Beck
Independent artist Simon Beck drops "Funky Hoedown", a Country Blues track on SoundClick. Featuring piano, hammond and wurlitzer, the production has a distinctive and cohesive sound. The kind of country blues cut that earns its place in a playlist and stays there. "Funky Hoedown" has peaked at #13 in the Country Blues category on SoundClick. Find more from Simon Beck on SoundClick, a platform built for independent music discovery. Get this track as a free download.
A simple fingerpicking exercise, with blues and ragtime influences.
"Sunflowers" is a Country Blues track by Simon Beck on SoundClick. The sound is shaped by piano, hammond and wurlitzer, giving the song its signature feel. The production choices here reflect a genuine understanding of what makes country blues work. It has charted at #25 on the SoundClick Country Blues chart. Looking for a royalty-free Country Blues track to license? "Sunflowers" by Simon Beck is available with a free Creative Commons license on SoundClick.
Collaboration with Ca$mir, AKA Burntworld Productions
SoundClick artist Simon Beck presents "WOW!", an outstanding release in the Funk genre. Featuring piano, hammond and wurlitzer, the production has a distinctive and cohesive sound. Every element feels intentional, resulting in a cohesive funk track that resonates. "WOW!" has peaked at number 7 on the SoundClick Funk chart. Simon Beck is an independent artist on SoundClick, releasing Funk music directly to fans worldwide.
My name is Simon Beck. I play keyboards, bass guitar, double bass, ukulele and a bit of rhythm guitar, although I have been known to dabble with anything from a chromatic harmonica to a Theremin. I very rarely sing, and I can't read music. But music is part of me, and has been for many years.
When I was 15 I built a bass guitar and taught myself to play it. The following year I started to teach myself to play the piano, and I've never stopped learning. Since the age of 18 I've played in bands of various types, including electro-pop, jazz and Memphis-style soul. In 1996 I was a founder member of Mississippi John L Watson's Odyssey Blues Band and was their keyboardist for three years, playing on their debut CD "" and at blues festivals including Dublin, Isle of Wight and London's Barbican. Since 2008 I have been playing keyboards with 9-piece reggae band The Skanx.
I have been playing keyboards in a ska/funk/reggae band called The Skanx for the past 5 years. Playing live is one of my favourite things in life. The best live moments for me were playing live on BBC Radio 1 with Mississippi John L Watson (with an 8-piece band and after just one rehearsal), and the weekend when the Odyssey Blues Band played Friday and Saturday nights in the Guinness Blues Festival in Dublin, flew back to London early on Sunday morning and played the opening set at the Barbican Blues Festival.
Dr John, Ray Charles, Josef Zawinul, Professor Longhair...
Nord Electro 3 73 virtual electromechanical keyboard
Casio WK-3000 keyboard
Squier P-Bass Special
Stagg EDB 3/4 electric upright bass
Ferris electric violin
Squier Telecaster guitar
1958 Framus archtop acoustic guitar
Luna Athena thin-line semi-acoustic guitar
chromatic harmonica
Stylophone S2 analogue synthesiser
Fostex MR-8 digital multi-track recorder.