Savoy Brown -- Steel (Panache Records).
Kim Simmonds and the latest incarnation of Savoy Brown really don’t need much of an introduction so let’s get to the music. They open with a Lowell Fulsom song -- that’s a good start in anyone’s book -- Monday Morning Blues, we all get them, don’t we? Simmonds voice may not be what it used to be but boy can he still play guitar and this is confirmed on a strong solo on. Long As I’ve Got You is a stormer, a first rate boogie with excellent slide. I Don’t Remember You is a moody, grungy blues that suits his mature voice better. It’s the type of song that lends itself to an extended guitar solo and Simmonds cranks one out, big style. You Don’t Do A Thing For Me is blues rock that almost drifts off into a Southern boogie and Simmonds is keeping up the pace on guitar. Fly Away has a ringing guitar introduction and the fact that I find it difficult to pigeonhole this rootsy offering turns it into an unexpected favourite.
By the time we reach Crying Forever, Simmonds is warming to his task and harks back to his heydays. Daybreak is a straightforward blues, played on the rock side whereas Echo Of A Sigh gives us a break from the blues. It’s an instrumental that allows Simmonds to express himself and show how good he still is. I’ll Keep On Singing The Blues is played in the Chicago style with a stinging guitar that cuts right through you. They finish with Keeping The Dream Alive and I’m pleased that they are choosing to boogie to the end. Just turn up the volume and get on down to Kim Simmonds ringing guitar.
Kim Simmonds says on the reverse of the CD that he wanted to get back to recording blues with energy. I think that he has achieved his goal.
http://www.savoybrown.com/
http://www.bluewaverecords.com/
David Blue.