Ruf Records artists: Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown - Goin' To The Delta - New release review

I just received the newest release (2/11/14), Goin' To The Delta, from Savoy Brown and I think it's their best in years. As my regular readers know, I have been a Savoy Brown fan for a long time. Led by one of the best blues players ever to come from the UK, Kim Simmonds, the band is back on track with another consistently super release. Opening with "Elmore James like" Laura Lee featuring Kim on vocal and (Strat!) guitar. Kim doesn't ever hold back and he is a clever guitar player with a lot of natural feel. He rides this track like rce horse and bassest Pat DeSalvo and drummer Garnet Grimm are tight. Sad News has more of a Chicago "Muddy Waters' feel with a nice loping swagger. Kim steps up again with a super guitar intro. One of the criticisms of later SB releases was Kim's lack of vocal skills but on these tracks, Kim's vocals work well with the format of the tracks. Possibly he has more of a "blues" voice than a ballad voice and his return to a more straightforward blues format is actually a double play. His guitar work always superb, Kim lays down some terrific riffs here. Nuthin' Like The Blues is a blues rocker with almost a Chuck Berry feel. Simmonds holds back on guitar a little on this track but it has a little of the "Hellbound Train" flavor as a part of it's jam. Cool. When You've Got A Good Thing has a jazzier flavor but still with strong blues roots. Kim uses this as a vehicle to explore more complex riffs and stylized phrases. Very nice! Instrumental track Cobra has a real boogie feel that was so prevalent in one of Savoy Browns best periods. It's really nice to hear them revisit this style as it will certainly be a favorite among fans and win new fans (Think LaGrange). Backstreet Woman has a funky blues feel and Simmonds continues to demonstrate why he has remained on top of the game in respect of other guitar players. Title track, Goin' To The Delta has a Texas style lope and Simmonds pulls out some really nice riffs including some Johnny Winter like riffs... something I've not recalled seeing from him before. A real nice groove and a solid bottom make this a sure crowd pleaser. Probably my favorite track on this release, Just A Dream, a real smooth blues T-Bone Walker style track provides a nice contrast to the balance of the release and giving Simmonds a chance to play some really deep riffs. Kim's phrasing is really sweet and evokes emotional response... that's why they call it the blues! Really nice! Turn Your Lamp On has a bit of a Freddie King but a definite Savoy Brown feel. A straightforward blues rocker, Simmonds seems to have found his groove on vocal. I Miss Your Love provides a solid track to showcase Simmonds as a slide player, something which I believe has been a strong suit since the bands inception. He has a great feel and tone but never overplays. Excellent! Sleeping Rough, another Texas style blues rocker is solid track with a great sound and Simmonds again lights up the fretboard in blues fashion. Wrapping up the release is Latin infused blues track, Going Back. DeSalvo and Grimm really set the tone for this track but Simmonds after all is Savoy Brown. His vocal work is really good and his guitar work is rockin. I can say without a doubt that this is the consistently best overall Savoy Brown releases that I have heard in a long time and a super release of tasty blues guitar music when it seems to be hard to come by. Great job guys. Hope to see you soon!

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8th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival: New Name, New Venue, Legendary Lineup

8th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival
New Name, New Venue, Legendary Lineup

A Full Day Of Blues Music And Family Enjoyment 

At Our New Location, Moorpark College 

(Formerly The Simi Valley Blues Festival) 

Benefits The American Diabetes Association & Local Charities  

   (MOORPARK, CALIF) - New name, new venue, legendary lineup: Michael John's 8th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival takes place Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd., Moorpark. Gates open 10 a.m., music starts 11 a.m. Tickets $25 in advance, $30. day of show. Kids 12 and under free with adult. Plus food and craft vendors; guitar giveaway signed by all the artists; special kid's area; and silent auction including new autographed Fender guitar signed by Johnny Rivers, and photo opportunity (with Rivers). Info: www.venturacountyblues.com or call the Festival Hotline: (805) 501-7122. Festival proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association and local charities. Presented by the Ventura County Blues Society.

    This year's 8th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival is headlined by musical living legends: Johnny Rivers and Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds; plus talented national acts guitarist Kenny Neal; keyboardist-vocalist Dona Oxford; Preston Smith and the Crocodiles; and Michael John and the Bottom Line. Special Guest Emcee: Actor/musician, Mickey Jones. Another capacity crowd is anticipated this year, so purchase tickets now in advance.

                      

                                                                        Johnny Rivers                         

 
                                    

                                                     The Headliners...

    Johnny Rivers: With seventeen Gold Records, twenty-nine Chart Hits and over thirty million records sold, this legendary singer/songwriter and producer continues to perform before sellout crowds worldwide, remarkably at an age (70) when most people are happily retired. The "Secret Agent Man" has many other accomplishments and has made significant contributions to the history of rock 'n roll. River's long list of hits include "Baby I Need You Lovin," "Maybelline," "Memphis," "Mountain Of Love," "Poor Side Of Town," "Rockin Pneumonia & Boogie Woogie Flu," "Secret Agent Man," "Seventh Son," "Summer Rain," "Swayin To The Music (Slow Dancin)," "The Tracks Of My Tears" and many more. In 2009 Rivers was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. www.johnnyrivers.com.

Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds

   Savoy Brown Featuring Kim Simmonds: Legendary ... a Blues/Rock institution ... true innovators. These are just a few of the ways Savoy Brown has been described over the past forty years by music critics and fans. One of the earliest of British blues bands, Savoy Brown, with founder guitarist Kim Simmonds at the helm, helped launch the 1967 UK blues boom movement that brought blues music back to the USA invigorating the style forever. In the process, the band became part of the framework that launched the rock and roll music of the 1970's. Their influence now stretches into modern rock as we know it today. www.savoybrown.com

  
                                               Also Performing....        

                                              

   Kenny Neal: Kenny Neal is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist widely renowned as a modern swamp-blues master. His new release, Hooked On Your Love, follows the triumph of his multi-award winning 2008 comeback album, Let Life Flow. An outstanding success, the CD raked in accolades including three prestigious Album Of The Year awards, two Song Of The Year awards for the title track, and two Artist of the Year honors for Neal. It was clear that Kenny touched something deep in the blues community with his soulful guitar playing and uplifting songwriting, and his hot streak continues. Hooked On Your Love covers the plethora of accomplished roots styles Kenny has become known for: a tasty musical gumbo of swamp-boogie, jazz, R&B, and straight-ahead blues. www.kennyneal.net.    

      

  Dona Oxford: Santa Claritan Doña Oxford earned her reputation as a top-notch keyboardist and vocalist while playing with such legendary performers as Keith Richards, Bob Weir, Levon Helm, Phil Upchurch, Buddy Guy, Son Seals, Mark Termonti (Creed), Jimmy Vivino (Conan O'Brien Show) and her idol, former Chuck Berry sideman and Father of Rock & Roll Piano, Johnnie Johnson. www.donaoxford.com.

   Preston Smith & The Crocodiles: The 2013 VCBS IBC Winner,  Preston Smith has crafted his own irresistible original songs and colorful stage show. His expressive showmanship and varied musical influences have endeared Smith to fans all over the globe. He keeps the crowd on its feet with eyes glued to the stage, a bluesman to the core. Smith's music can be heard on Movie soundtracks as well as numerous TV commercials, and he has appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. His snarlin' guitar sound blends with his screamin' harmonica work to produce a raw, soulful treat for any music lover. In addition to his guitar, harmonica and vocal work, Preston soars over the solid backbeat set by the tightly wound rhythm section of the Crocodiles.

www.myspace.com/prestonsmithmusic.

   Michael John And The Bottom Line: Michael John, Founder and President of the Ventura County Blues Society, is also the Founder of the Ventura County Blues Festival and leads his band The Bottom Line. Since the festival's inception, Michael John & The Bottom Line have performed and donated their music which now has become an annual tradition for the festival kick off. When you combine family and lifelong friends you get a special musical bond that touches the hearts and souls of all music lovers alike. The band consists of Michael John (lead singer, guitar, harmonica), Michael John's son Mikey Mo (lead guitar), Steve Nelson (electric, stand-up Bass), Eddie Z (tenor, alto sax), Jeff Dellisanti (tenor, baritone sax), and Tom "T-Bone" Broderick (drums, backup vocals). The group attracts people of all ages with their blend of Swing to more contemporary rocking blues. They have received national airplay and have won multiple awards including placing in the top ten bands in the finals for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee. In 2006 Michael was awarded the All Access Magazine award for "Best Male Vocalist." www.michaeljohnandthebottomline.com.

   

                       

                                                    A History....

   Michael John's Ventura County Blues Festival, formerly the Simi Valley Blues Festival, was the vision of Simi Valley resident Michael John Basowski. John (who also recently founded the  Ventura County Blues Society) has been a musician all his life and had always dreamed that someday he could do something which would make an impact on his community.

   Being a blues musician, the idea of a blues festival was the ideal way to turn his dream into reality. At the first festival - held in 2006 - Michael John teamed up with the local non-profit organization Write4Hope, who was instrumental in helping with the logistics for the event and made it possible to hold the first three blues festivals in Oak County Park in Simi Valley.

  

   Simi Valley resident musician/actor and celebrity figure Mickey Jones has emceed the Simi Valley Blues Festival every year since its beginning. In addition, Michael John's family and friends have donated their time and talent to help make this event a yearly success, with over three thousand attendees at the 2012 Simi Valley Blues Festival

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8TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL MEDIA CREDENTIALS ON REQUEST.            http://venturacountyblues.com/                 http://www.venturacountybluessociety.org/ 

Savoy Brown in Jim Thorpe, PA - Greg

I got a chance to see the band in the cool town of Jim Thorpe PA Saturday night. Another inspired show by this excellent band. I liked the version of 'Time Will Tell' that they did. There was some real interesting soloing by Kim that had a retro feel to it but seemed to be a new slant. I think that ability is what makes these shows so good. They update the classic stuff to mesh with the excellent new stuff they are playing now.The band is heading over to the UK this Spring. I asked Kim if he'd be calling any of his old mates there to join him and he said that it was possible that he would. I asked him to have a camera or at least a tape rolling if he did. Someone get Chris Youlden on the line!
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Savoy Brown December 8 2011 Sellersville Theater - Greg Lewis - contributor -'Rock-it Science. Thursdays 8-10-PM 91.9 WNTI Hackettstown NJ

A near capacity crowd came to the show at this refurbished 1894  theater in Sellersville PA on a chilly December evening. Gauging from some of the pre show chatter most of them were longtime fans, who  know they will see some world class guitar playing from band leader Kim Simmonds at every Savoy Brown show. They got that and more with this latest version of the 45 years and running rocking blues band founded by Kim as a 17 year old in London. Who knew?

Joe Whiting vocals/sax/,Pat DeSalvo bass and Garnett Grimm drums, provided  a platform for some of Simmonds most inspired playing in his career. All of these guys are seasoned pros from the Syracuse area where Simmonds has resided for over twenty years. This has afforded Simmonds the opportunity to woodshed for his new CD 'Voodoo Moon' and rehearse often with his nearby band mates. The result of this is a new release that rivals any of Savoy Browns classics and an inspired fun show peppered with selections from the SB catalog not heard live in decades.

  This show had the band hitting the stage full throttle with 'Meet The Blues Head On' from 'Voodoo Moon' 'Immediately evident was Whiting's strong vocals, delivered with a smile, while trading off with Simmond's sweet but assertive guitar riffs from his Les Paul. Kim did not have his trademark  Gibson Flying V, though there was a miniature silver version hanging from a chain on his neck.

 Simmonds and Whiting have a great on stage chemistry. They were animated and smiling and really enjoying themselves all night. That is always infectious. Kim's guitar back and forth with Whiting's vocals and sax on top of the rock solid foundation DeSalvo and Grimm provided throughout the 2 hour performance made for a fun evening.

 What made this performance especially exciting was the treatment given to some older 'classic' songs from the band's past. Don't misread the fact that, had the band only performed selections from the new 'Voodoo Moon' release, it still would have been a great show. 'Natural Man', 'Shockwaves','She's Got The Heat','Round And Round' and 'Voodoo Moon' were the new songs played by the band. Simmonds showing that his songwriting chops are better then ever with these new originals by him. Whiting also assisted on a few of these and the songs  highlight their skills.

 One of Whitings assets is the confidence he has covering Savoy Brown classics that were performed by some of the band's iconic vocalists like Chris Youlden,Dave Peverett,Dave Walker and Jackie Lynton. Whiting embraced the spirit of these vocalists while not trying to imitate them. The second song of the evening was the title track from 1970's 'Looking In' that featured the great Lonesome Dave Peverett on vocals. [This was the band that would leave and become Foghat.] Whiting's vocals are a different pitch then the late Peverett's but he matched the power and attitude in a 2011 way on this song and  also later  with 'Louisiana Blues' from the Peverett era SB. Whiting belted out 'I'm Tired'  from the Chris Youlden SB  era with enthusiasm while not trying to emulate the husky baritone style of  Youlden. That was on the tail end of an excellent  three song  acoustic medley starting with Simmonds singing the Youlden classic 'Train To Nowhere' with an instrumental bridge of 'Gypsy' from the 'Looking In' album.       The rarely performed  'Jack The Toad' ,title track from a 1974 SB line up featuring the excellent UK vocalist Jackie Lynton, was a nice surprise. Whiting  also embraced this faithfully while not trying to imitate Lynton. Ironically, Lynton's style is similar in many aspects to Whiting's.

  'Time Does Tell', Wang Dang Doodle' and 'Hellbound Train' are all songs from SB's most commercially successful era with vocalist Dave Walker in the mid 1970's.  Whiting was on par with Walker's powerful charismatic performances of these tunes while not copying him on this fun night in Sellersville.

Whiting sits side by side with the great Savoy Brown vocalists like Youlden,Peverett,Walker, Pete Mc Mahon to name a few, in this fan's opinion. 

Make no mistake though, it is the unique style,grace and power of Kim Simmonds guitar playing that has made Savoy Brown one of the very best for over 45 years. I have had the pleasure of seeing many versions of the band since 1970 at the Fillmore East in NYC and I would rate this line up as one of the best. Then again, what do I know? :-} Hope to see you at a show in 2012.

Cheers, Greg Lewis 'Rock-it Science. Thursdays 8-10-PM 91.9 WNTI Hackettstown NJ

Bman's Exclusive Interview with Kim Simmonds - Savoy Brown

Bman: I just caught up with Kim Simmonds, founding member and long time band leader of Savoy Brown. It's good of you to take time out your extremely hectic schedule to speak with me.

Kim, first I got to tell you how incredibly honored we are to have you continue to tour. I can recall hearing your music first in the early '70's and I've got to tell you... every time I see you live the hair on the back of my neck still stands up when you go off on one of your incredibly deep blues solos. I have had the chance to review your new recording, "Voodoo Moon" and the first thing that hits me is how different it seems from much of what you have been doing over the past 10 or so years. Much of it seems to have the feel of the great early '70's band that I was first introduced to. Kind of a boogie or r&b groove with the blues overlaid. Now I mean that as a real compliment as i think that your early 70's albums stack up against just about anyone... at any time.

I have seen the band maybe 10 times in the past 7 years and I know that you have your standard repertoire that you are "expected" to play. So do the Stones. But hey, you've written some great songs and they have longevity and of course you blend in stuff from your newest release during the shows. I feel that this new release will make the transition between eras a lot less noticeable. Is this intentional?


Kim:Yes the new material from Voodoo Moon does interface well with the old classics. The period I am going through now reminds me of the best of times with the band back in the early days when I had simalar cutting edge songs.

Bman: Well, I can hear it so the concept is working. I know that you had to make changes in the lineup with Gerry being sick and all. How is he doing? How do you feel that the new lineup is geling?


Kim:The last band line up with Gerry had to end eventually. Gerry became sick of course (he's fine now) and because everyone lived so far apart it made rehearsing very difficult. It took a year for the current line up to really mesh but now it feels like one of the best bands I've ever had.

Bman: Yeah...it's hard enough to keep a band in the groove when you are in close proximity so I understand that dilemma. I remember talking with you a few years back and you remarked that you were trying something new with your soloing... just kind of trying to play "around" positions that would ordinarily be played. More like jazz improv. How is that working for you?


Kim:I tried some different things out with my guitar playing over the recent years. At one point I put the guitar tuning into a totally different key....so I had no idea of the notes on the fretboard. I played it like that and interestingly, instead of making a jumbled sound, my mind and fingers automatically sorted out what needed to be played and something quite good and profound came out of the experiment.

Bman: I think that comes from natural brilliance and years on the guitar. It's obvious that you have both! Some of the remarks around the Yahoo Group are that you don't change up the "standards" enough from tour to tour. Now I for one want to hear certain songs each time, so don't get me wrong. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with having not had a keyboard on tour and also limitations with you playing lead and doing lead vocals. Does your new band mate help at all with these issues?

Kim:I'm so glad to hear the feedback. I do get conservative in my song choices and limitations in my singing also come into play as you mentioned. Now, with Joe Whiting singing I am able to explore more of the older songs. I think the shows from now on could be more interesting for the faithful. Having said that....like the Grateful Dead......people keep coming to the Savoy shows because they get to listen to the old standards they like, but played differently every night.

Bman: No Question. I mean if you didn't play Hellbound Train and Tell Mama there would be a revolution (joking).Some of my personal favorites that never see the light of day (or dark of club) are "Jack the Toad", 'Can't Get Next To You', and "May Be Wrong"... now there is an incredible recording. I mean with Looking In, Blue Matter, Hellbound Train, Raw Sienna, Lions Share, Boogie Brothers to mention a few... you guys were just banging out great albums. These albums are all packed with great tunes. Do you ever consider adding any of the other older songs back into the mix?

Kim:There has always been an issue of rehearsing because, in the past, the band often comprised of musicians from all over the country. I made a decision to use musicians closer to me so I could rehearse on a weekly basis. This has grown the repetiore a lot. Look out for some surprises in 2012.

Bman: I can tell you no one goes away from your show disappointed but it sounds like you're even mixing it up more. I never miss a show and I'm excited to see what you've come up with. I can imagine trying to get new songs ready if the band mates aren't local.
I have probably written in my report about Savoy Brown maybe 12 times in the past 6 months. The blues groove that you lay down on "May Be Wrong" is just incredible. I occasionally debut albums from the past for which no video exists. "May Be Wrong" is on youtube with only the cover of the album as the video. It was a hugely popular post. I know that you have to restrain your playing to a certain extent for recording but do you contemplate any more of the "deep blues" 7 minute solos... or do production standards limit that type of idea in today's market.

Kim: Playing a deep slow blues is my strong point. I know that. For me, it takes an enormous amount of energy to play a slow blues...I tell my life story through my guitar playing and it can be completely exhausting. I've told that story on stage many times. It is not a completely reneawable source and I protect it. At my age, if I played a slow blues every night (as if my life depended on it) I would have to carried out on a strectcher!

Bman: Oh, it's very obvious that you put everything that you've got into your playing. I have a friend who is a casual blues listener... more of a power pop /Pixies kind of guy and when I described your last show to him he said "I should have gone to that show!". You definitely can lay it down!! I know I told when I talked to you last that I consider you one of the very elite blues guitar players alive today. Sad that more people haven't heard you really play. Hope we can change that!

Lets talk about your gear for a minute. Last few times I saw you played pretty much a "V" through a Marshall 800 combo I think it was. Then you had your "Walmart Special" that you played on slide tunes. You have an incredible slide tone by the way. Are you still with the "V" or are you back on a Les Paul?

Kim:Back with the Les Paul. I travel so much on airplanes and the Les Paul is more practical than the Flying V especially having to play shows with different rented equipment.

Bman: Yeah, I can imagine!I play a little myself. Are you playing stock guitars or are they hot rodded. I put Tom Holmes pickups in my "V". It has a real pure sound.
I'm guessing that the "Walmart Guitar" has a high action and heavy strings to accommodate the slide work. What gauge strings are you using and what do you use on your standard setup?

Kim:I've never been "into" equipment. Of course I love guitars and have played all the classic ones over my career. But I find I play the same (after a few weeks) no matter what guitar I have. The guitar sound itself will want to play you....but I force my personality on to the instrument and I play it.

Bman: That's one of the advantages of being a great player. You can make every note count on a guitar with a twisted neck and 20 year old strings! Back on Voodoo Moon, we've had a lot of "hits" on our review of the new release so I'm guessing that your fan base are digging it pretty well?

Kim:It's been a super success with the fans...and also the neutral critics are applauding it. I'm very happy that I'm still moving forward.

Bman: How do you like being able to offload some of the singing work so you can focus on the heavy lifting (lead guitar)? I know that formula worked well for you in the past. I mean, when your fans come to see you, lets face it, we all want to hear you get into a groove and then just part our hair with your deep blues solos!

Kim:People say I am playing better with the four piece line up. I think I'm more relaxed and can pick my opportunities as to when to attack or lay back. With the three piece line up....it's attack, attack, attack.....of course some people like that too.

Bman: I can imagine you don't have a lot of time to think about it when you're on stage. Yes, a lot of us do like the constant attack, but you and I both know you can be more affective when you can strategically place the attack. I really appreciate your taking the time for our interview. You've put together a really good recording. I'll look forward to seeing you again soon!

Kim: Many thanks for wanting to interview me.
Thanks to Tom MuNeill for the photography.
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New Ruf Records release : Voodoo Moon - Savoy Brown - review

Savoy Brown started as a more traditional blues band back in the 60's but became almost synonymous with Boogie during the 70's. Although band leader, Kim Simmonds has remained a constant with the band over the years a compliment of other players in the group have influenced the general sound widely. Early Savoy Brown albums such as "Raw Sienna", "Street Corner Talking" and "Looking In" firmly planted Savoy Brown in the modern "bone chilling" blues bands with a slow melding into album oriented music in "Hellbound Train". By the early 70's and the release of "Lions Share's" rock hit "Tell Mama" cast a new stone into the fire. With new addition of Chicken Shacks Stan Webb and the departure of Dave Peverett along with the bands rhythm section (to form Foghat) the band started off on a journey of continuous experimentation producing a number of interesting blues rock oriented recordings.

This new Savoy Brown release (cd or Vinyl!!) is possibly the best release since the the late 80's!! There have been some great live releases by the band but none of their studio releases were really on par with the band that was Savoy Brown up until the mid 70's. Now I have kept up with the band and have seen them personally live possibly 10 times in the past 7 years and they are always great in concert. Kim Simmonds is an incredible guitar player and extremely personable. A guy who would play all night for you and likely buy you a beer afterwards...just a great guy!

I know that their tour repertoire always includes a healthy dose of traditional Savoy Brown great songs but I can honestly say this release will be adding some great material to this group of songs and I am anxiously awaiting the bands return to town.

This is a band if you haven't seen...and you love blues guitar...is a must see!!

And this is a great release. Kims guitar tone is clean with a lot of grit as usual and the new vocalist is a great addition. Do you get the feeling that I like it?

Grab a copy!
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Voodoo Moon - SAVOY BROWN

Savoy Brown, originally known as the Savoy Brown Blues Band, are a British blues rock band, formed in 1965, in Battersea, South West London. Part of the late 1960s blues rock movement, Savoy Brown never achieved as much success in their homeland as they did in the United States, where they promoted their albums with non-stop touring.

I have seen Savoy Brown over 10 times and they always send you away wanting more. I haven't heard this new release but here's a cut for your review.
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'Rock-it Science' with Greg Lewis 8 pm-10pm Thursdays 91.9 WNTI and wnti.org featuring special guest Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown Oct 6 8pm

Greg Lewis be speaking to Kim Simmonds over the phone on the air near the start of his show for 10 or 15 minutes then play a few tracks from the new Savoy Brown release 'Voodoo Moon' [out Oct 17] as well as maybe an older track or two and some other Savoy Brown related tunes as well. Greg is on a public radio station out of Hackettstown NJ covering most of NW NJ and into Eastern PA too. They are also streaming worldwide at wnti.org

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TBNV - Blue Matter - Savoy Brown - 1969

I am starting a new segment TBNV specifically for music that is absolutely Terrific But for which No Video exists that I am aware of. There are so many terrific things that were never recorded on video that It Just has the right to be heard!

This is the first of a hopefully long running series.

Blue Matter is the third album by the band Savoy Brown. Teaming up once again with producer Mike Vernon, it finds them experimenting even more within the blues framework. Several tracks feature piano (played by Bob Hall, guitarist Kim Simmonds, and vocalist Chris Youlden, who even plays guitar here) as well as trombone.

This album featured a mix of live and studio recordings. The live tracks were recorded at the now defunct City of Leicester College of Education, because the band was scheduled to tour the USA and needed additional tracks to complete the Album in time for the tour. The college had booked the band to perform a few weeks prior to the tour and the booking represented their only chance to record the extra tracks. An offer to perform the concert free of charge was accepted by the college and the concert was duly recorded, a number of the live tracks being added to the album.

Due to the fact that Chris Youlden was suffering from Tonsillitis, Dave Peverett stood in as lead vocalist.

"Train to Nowhere" (Chris Youlden, Kim Simmonds) 4:12
"Tolling Bells" (Youlden, Simmonds) 6:33
"She's Got a Ring in His Nose and a Ring on Her Hand" (Youlden) 3:07
"Vicksburg Blues" (Youlden, Bob Hall) 4:00
"Don't Turn Me From Your Door" (John Lee Hooker) 5:04
"May Be Wrong" (Dave Peverett) 7:50
"Louisiana Blues" (Muddy Waters) 9:06
"It Hurts Me Too" (Mel London) 6:53

Savoy Brown

Chris Youlden: Lead Vocal, Guitars, Piano
Kim Simmonds: Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica, Piano
"Lonesome" Dave Peverett: Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Vocal
Bob Hall: Piano
Rivers Jobe: Bass
Roger Earle: Drums, Percussion

Additional Musicians

Terry Flannery, Keith Martin, Alan Moore, Brian Perrin: Trombone
Tony Stevens: Percussion & Additional Bass
This is a recording that every British blues fan in the world should have. I absolutely love this recording.
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Sunday Night - Savoy Brown (from the Looking In cd)

Savoy Brown, originally known as the Savoy Brown Blues Band, are a British blues band formed in 1965, in Battersea, South West London. Part of the late 1960s blues rock movement, Savoy Brown never achieved as much success in their homeland as they did in the United States, where they promoted their albums with non-stop touring.

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All I can Do Is Cry - Savoy Brown

By 1971, Youlden had departed on a solo career and band members Dave Peverett, Roger Earle, and Tony Stevens had left to form their own group Foghat.

Kim Simmonds rebuilt the band using former members of the blues band Chicken Shack and vocalist Dave Walker. That year, “Street Corner Talking” brought the band its best chart success up to that date. “Tell Mama”, “Street Corner Talking”, “All I Can Do Is Cry” and the band’s funky re-make of the Motown classic, “I Can’t Get Next To You”, took the band to platinum status and placed them in front of wildly enthusiastic rock audiences in arenas all over the world.



It's pitiful that this may be what remains of history of such a great band. I know the band had maybe 30 different lineups like a revolving door but this old stuff is great. This is better than looking at the album cover...but not much! Hope you have the patience to listen to it. Possibly more video will surface
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Street Corner Talking - Savoy Brown

I'll start off by saying that Kim is an incredible guitar player. If you've never seen him, catch him when he comes to town. He plays small clubs (Savoy Brown) and you'll see up close and personal!

Savoy Brown, originally known as the Savoy Brown Blues Band, are a British blues band formed in 1965, in Battersea, South West London. Part of the late 1960s blues rock movement, Savoy Brown never achieved as much success in their homeland as they did in the United States, where they promoted their albums with non-stop touring.The band was formed and led by guitarist Kim Simmonds, whose dominating personality led to a myriad of personnel changes. Others have attributed the constant lineup adjustments to the "creative accountancy" employed by the band's manager, Harry Simmonds, brother of Kim.

The original line-up included singer Bryce Portius, keyboardist Bob Hall, bassist Ray Chappell, drummer Leo Manning and harmonica player John O'Leary (O'Leary appeared on record with the band on its initial recordings for Mike Vernon's Purdah label). Portius was one of the first black blues musicians to be a part of a British rock band.[citation needed] This line-up appeared on the band's 1967 debut album, Shake Down, a collection of blues covers.[1] Two albums followed in 1968, Getting to the Point, and Blue Matter.

In 1969 a single, "Train to Nowhere", was released with a vastly different line-up, including singer Chris Youlden, who, with Simmons, took over primary songwriting duties for the band, on A Step Further that year. It was viewed by some as the last gasp of the blues scene in the United Kingdom.[citation needed] They developed a loyal core following in the United States, due to songs such as "I'm Tired", a driving, melodic song from the album. They were one of the bands that UK Decca (US London/Parrot) stuck with through the lean times until they started selling records (it took four or five albums until they started to sell in the U.S.) In the late 1960s and 1970s, the band managed to penetrate the Billboard Hot 100. Superstardom perpetually evaded them, perhaps in part because of their frequent line-up changes, but despite that, Hellbound Train (1972) was a Top 40 album for them in the U.S. In January 1974, the British music magazine, NME reported that Stan Webb was joining Savoy Brown, following the break-up of Chicken Shack.

While the band is still active today, touring the world and recording regularly, only Simmonds has stayed since the beginning. Guitarist "Lonesome" Dave Peverett, bassist Tony Stevens, and drummer Roger Earl went on to form Foghat.[1] Original member and harmonica player John O'Leary is still active on the British blues circuit with his band Sugarkane. Another singer, Dave Walker, would later join Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath. Their bassists included Andy Pyle, who played with Mick Abrahams from Jethro Tull in Blodwyn Pig then later with The Kinks and Gary Moore. Andy Silvester had played with Wha-Koo and Chicken Shack. Savoy Brown also provided an outlet for keyboardist and guitarist Paul Raymond, who later went on to join UFO.

Savoy Brown contributed the song "A Man Alone" for the soundtrack to the movie Kickboxer 2.

In 2008, "Train to Nowhere" was used in, and figured as a clue, in the TV series CSI: NY, in Season 4, Episode 10 - “The Thing About Heroes”.

Their first album for Blind Pig Records, Strange Dreams, was released in 2003. The band released their most recent record Steel in 2007.
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Castin' My Spell On You - Talisman (Jimmy Page)

This is a recording of a very young Jimmy Page. The significance of this isn't just Jimmy Page but I love this song. I have mentioned in a number of my posts my love for the Savoy Brown band. This is a song that they did on the "Jack the Toad" album. It's a very quirky album and one of my favorites. If you find a copy cheap pick it up. It's a blast if you have an open mind!

Enjoy!

It Hurts Me Too

"It Hurts Me Too" is a blues standard that is "one of the most interpreted blues. First recorded in 1940 by Tampa Red, the song is a mid-tempo eight-bar blues that features slide guitar. It borrows from earlier blues songs and has been recorded by many blues and other artists. Unfortunately I can't find any Tampa Red footage. Foghat was formed when Savoy Brown (Kim Simmonds) decided he didn't want to depart so far from the blues and into rock. The basis of the band went off picking up Rod Price on slide guitar and made a good career. This is Foghat playing their Savoy Brown Blues Roots. Both Dave Pevrett and Rod Price are now gone, but the legend lives on.
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Enjoy!

Where's Your Heart Gone

Listen Up! This is one of the few great players that you are likely to stand 4 feet away from and watch play the guitar in your face for 2-3 hours with no pretense. He will come to your town, he will be cheap to see, he'll play some little club, he'll shake your hand and he'll sign your cd's. What he won't do is make you wonder why he does this. He loves the blues and he loves to please the crowd. Check out Savoy Brown next time they come to town. You won't be disappointed.
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Maybe one of todays lost treasures.

Savoy Brown is a band that has been around in "50" different iterations since the 60's. The only remaining member is Kim Simmonds. This band has had many great second guitar players and vocalists who have gone on to do their own projects, most notably Foghat. This is a sample of what they are like today, Kim on guitar and occasionally lead vocals. You own yourself a trip when they come to town. Kim will play his ass off for you!!
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