L. W. Simms has not only managed to emulate their means of expression, but also their ability to write and sing a song from the heart with honesty and integrity. He never once strays over into the "mellow" or over-produced sound that killed the integrity of folk music in the mid-70s or the cheap sentimentality that has ripped the heart and soul out of country music. His lyrics are primarily straightforward testimonials about the relationships between men and women, done in such a way that they sound like he's recounting his own experiences.

I know there are lot of people who sing in the first person about love and life, but for the most part they don't usually sound like they are talking about themselves. They either sound too slick to be believed or their lyrics are hackneyed and cliché ridden.

That's not the case with the lyrics on Defining Moments. Wayne uses imagery that has poetry appropriate to the music and the people he sings about. These are real, down to earth folk who have to work for a living, so to sing about them using flowery language would not only be silly but sound stupid. At the same time that doesn't mean they don't have souls and can't feel things in their hearts.

The opening song on the disc, "Never Far Away," is a lovely example of this. It tells of two people falling in love while staying in a cabin out by Lake Nipissing, and Simms uses imagery from their surroundings to show that development. Nothing elaborate or overly romanticized, but perfect to the moment and the situation.

Musically it's pretty much what you'd expect, but well played and stripped down to an almost completely natural sound with very little obvious effects added on. There are some wonderful leads, on mandolin and steel guitar in particular, by Wendell Ferguson and Doug Johnson respectively, but aside from that the only ornamentation comes from the harmonizing of Maryellen Allen and Jim Hopson who do a great job of contrasting with Wayne's lead vocals.

Wayne isn't going to win any awards for his vocal prowess, but this type of music is more dependent on our willingness to believe what is sung than how pretty it sounds. A voice that cracks with emotion and sounds like it has lived a bit of a hard life is far more appropriate for this music than one with the ability to hit high "C" or that sounds as smooth as silk.

Defining Moments by L. W. (Wayne) Simms doesn't cover any new territory musically, but it's a fine collection of honest and heartfelt music - something there's a decided lack of these days. You can buy the whole disc or individual songs from Wayne's web site or through Well Craft Music. I don't think you'll regret it.