By Tom O’Connor
British blues band, Savoy Brown, is back with their new Bayou-via-Battersea collection, Witchy Feelin’, released August 25th, 2017 on the tenacious German label, Ruf Records. With this release founding member and guitarist/vocalist, Kim Simmonds, reminds us all that even after 50+ years of preaching the blues, there is always more to say, more demons to exorcise.
From start to finish, the eleven-song collection showcases Simmonds baritone vocals and crisp, confident guitar-playing. Opener “Why did you Hoodoo me?” exudes confidence from the first note as it rolls out a gritty tale of love-as-a-spell. It is immediately followed by “Livin’ on the Bayou” which unwinds like the best Mark Knopfler-esque story-song, filled with shady characters and their shady agendas, as told in the back booth of a bar with a dirt parking lot.
Title track, “Witchy Feelin,” showcases the slow strolling bass of Pat DeSalvo. The rest of the band keys off every low note of the hypnotic bass line, no one in any hurry to blow you away, because they all know it’ll happen eventually. The next tune, “Guitar Slinger,” is a jumpstart back to harder blues driven by Garnet Grimm’s killer steady beat. Again, with this tune, Simmonds’ lead breaks are flawless; fully within the brackets of the Blues, but still fresh and cliche’-free.
From the opening slide notes of “Standing in a Doorway” you know this will be one of the standout tracks in the entire collection. Slow, heavy and legit in a way that a younger player could only simulate. You feel the weight of this tune like the heft of an empty shot glass that has been filled too many, but still not enough, times.
Just a track or two later, the band is back in full, no regrets, bombast mode with “Can’t find Paradise,” just in case you needed reminding that this band can scorch with the best of them. This is a song that will really take flight live. It is immediately followed by the unapologetic wah-wah driven “Thunder, Lightning & Rain.” While the bass throbs through the verses like a heartbeat, this song manages the rare trick of feeling both slow and big. If you didn’t already know it, and you should, you’re clearly in the hands of experts here.
The album closes with “Close to Midnight,” an instrumental exploration that is as much about what happens after the final bell tolls as it is a soundtrack for the drive home after last call. The tune is a subtle showcase of the kind of mastery that only comes after you’ve been bending strings for over half a century, but still have a few things to work out.
Witchy Feelin’ by Savoy Brown can be found:
Website: http://www.savoybrown.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SavoyBrown65/
Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/42wdVNoOfz0Lle1TOha0kc
While this is the only song I have heard from this album, I cannot judge the whole album by this one song. I have always loved Kim Simmons and his bands. I like the slow grittiness of this swamp Blues tune, but I prefer the Boogie groove he had going with Dave Walker in his old band.
John,
Thanks for your comment. Kim and his bands are really talented.
Is he the only original band member?
Wyatt,
Good question. I don’t know.
Yes He Is
I agree it is a mellow tune I like the sound, but I need to hear more. Thank you presenting this new work?✌?
I’ve seen Kim and the band 15 times since the mid 70’s counting 6 times in the past 3 years. They still have it to be sure. I received my copy of Witchy Feelin’ yesterday and there isn’t a bad track on it. They played four of the songs from the new album back in June up in Woodstock, Illinois, I’v’e been witing for this ever since.
Savoy Brown probably holds the record in the number of people that have been members; as there is probably only two out of fifty albums in which the member were the same. But if you’ve stayed with this band from the start, you can always recognize a Savoy Brown tune by the guitarist, Kim Simmonds, the one member that has been with this band the whole time.
Jerry,
Thanks for the info!
I was thoroughly surprised to see this pop up in my Amazon feed and immediately ordered it. Have several older albums/CD’s from them and saw them live in 1980 at the Cotillion in Wichita, KS. This album will not disappoint, great songs, fantastic guitar work, Classic Savoy Brown all around. You won’t be disappointed. Time for another show at the Cotillion.
I just heard Close to Midnight–what a guitar! And so surprised to hear Savoy Brown(Kim Simmonds) is still putting out the great music.
Vince
Thanks for your comment! Yes, Savoy Brown is still putting out great music.
Since i heard lookin in I was drawn into savoy’s sound, kim’s guitar tone. Very inspiring and talented band he put together.
Love Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown. Got hooked on them back in 1967 and will always love their awesome music !!! Would love to see them in concert in southern Calif someday….. Rock On Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown…. God’s Blessings…. :)