Panache Records artist: Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds - You should have been there! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You should have been there! from Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds and it's a super exhibition of Savoy Brown live and on top of it's game, recorded live at the Yale in Vancouver on 2.23.03. Opening with When It Rains from their 2003 release, Strange Dreams, Kim is handling stinging lead guitar and vocal, backed by David Malachowski on guitar, Gerry Sorrentino on bass and Dennis Cotton on drums. I have seen this unit and it is tight. On slow blues, Where Has Your Heart Gone?, also from Strange Dreams, Simmonds gets into such a nice guitar groove that this 11 plus minute track seems to be over in short minutes. Simmonds' phrasing is excellent as always and his ingenuity on this night was spot on. On classic, Poor Girl, from on of my all time favorite SB releases, Looking In, Simmonds literally blows the doors off. You like contemporary blues rock. This is it! Excellent! On Jimmie Rodgers' Blues Like Midnight, Simmonds takes it way down with only a sliver of a back up, playing Delta style and singing the blues. Winding up for the grand finale, Street Corner Talking from the album of the same name, followed by Hellbound Train, also from an album of the same name, are two of Savoy Browns bet known tracks and and one hell of one listening experience to spend about 25 minutes. Now I have to say, 25 minutes seems like a long time, but I listened to this release at least 5 times today and it's going into my car. it's the best of Savoy Brown live today and I highly recommend it!

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Spencer MacKenzie - Cold November - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cold November, from Spencer MacKenzie and it's solid. Opening with light funk rocker, Fine Place To Start, Mackenzie shows real promise on lead vocal and guitar. Joined by Miles Evans on piano, Al Duffy on bass, Sean O'Grady on drums, Brant Parker on lead guitar, Dave Dunlop on trumpet, Peter Hysen on trombone, Jay Davidson on sax this is a polished opener. On Move On Down The Track, MacKenzie blends in a bit of country drive and Parker on slide enriches the sound even further. The title track, Cold November is a bluesy ballad with soulful vocals, a nice melody and strong guitar riffs. Very nice. One of my release favorites is Voices Echoing with a funky jazz feel and boppy keyboard by Evans reminiscent of Brian Auger. Haunt Me is a cool shuffle track with real radio appeal. Backing vocals by Rochelle Harrison and Camille Harrison add yet another dimension to this smooth jazzy approach with light and breezy solos by Mackenzie and Evans. Another of my favorites on the release is Robert Cray's, You Move Me with a great bass rumble by Duffy. Traces of Albert King are in MacKenzie's guitar riffs and Evans' piano work weaves in just right. Wrapping the release is Gary Clark Jr.'s Next Door Neighbor Blues with understated slide work throughout and resonator (sound) solo riding high on top of what is really a stripped down rocker. very nice closer to a solid release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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