Record Reviews
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  | CLARK-HUTCHINSON ~ A=MH² (EXPANDED EDITION) SUNBEAM 5048 (Barcode: 5051125504817) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2008
1st album (well not really but more about this later) by UK duo Clark-HutchinsonFind albums by this artist, or Andy ClarkFind albums by this artist and Mick HutchinsonFind albums by this artist, two multi-instrumentalists and prominent figures on London’s late 1960s Psychedelic and Blues scene. Mick, a superb guitarist, plays also some keyboards and Andy plays anything from drums, percussion, keyboards, flute and saxophone. Listening to this extraordinary album it’s really difficult to believe that two musicians, using rather primitive studio technology available at the time, were able to create such massive and complex sound. But sound aside, the music is what makes this album such an extraordinary experience. Based on modal and Indian music and using the slowly developing raga as a model, they create a most amazing amalgam of Jazz, Psychedelic and World Music, which at the time was revolutionary and pioneering. Hutchinson’s lengthy guitar solos are a prime example of jazzy improvisation and one of the first Jazz-World Fusion attempts, which will be later perfected by John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist in ShaktiFind albums by this artist. The overall contemplative nature of the music and the imaginative ornamentation by additional (overdubbed) instruments create a mystical atmosphere, which is seldom found on other album. This expanded edition also includes the real first album by Clark-Hutchinson, recorded just a couple of months earlier, but rejected by their record label, which remained unreleased until now. Although based on Blues as a guiding model (both Andy and Mick loved the Blues), it follows much the same “working model” of the two musicians overdubbing several instruments, although a bass player and a drummer were used on these sessions. The resulting album is at least as good as any other UK Blues album recorded at the time by John MayallFind albums by this artist, Savoy BrownFind albums by this artist, etc., with Mick’s scorching guitar solos providing the icing on the cake. With extensive liner notes and great sound quality this is a well-deserved reissue of one of the most groundbreaking musical projects of the late 1960s. A true blast from the past!
| | CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAVOY BROWN ~ AIN`T DONE YET QUATRO VALLEY 0129 (Barcode: 805859074123) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020
The title says it all; the unstoppable Blues machine called Savoy BrownFind albums by this artist is rolling on in its sixth decade bravely led by vocalist / guitarist Kim SimmondsFind albums by this artist, currently in a trio lineup with bassist Pat DesalvoFind albums by this artist and drummer Garnet GrimmFind albums by this artist. The new album presents ten original songs, all by Simmonds.
Despite the limitations that the Blues format imposes on the music, the idiom is alive and kicking sounding healthier than most of it children within the Pop and Rock idioms, proving the "if it ain´t broke don´t fix it" advice. This music does not sound much different from what Savoy Brown and the entire Blues Revival generation played in the 1960, and yes it still manages to sound fresh and exciting, provides the listener is a Blues enthusiast of course.
Simmonds, perhaps not the most spectacular Blues Rock guitarist of the class of Peter GreenFind albums by this artist, Rory GallagherFind albums by this artist or Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, manages to produce the unmistakable "Blues guitar sound", which works for our generation like nothing else and he has one undeniable advantage – he is still alive and kicking.
For the numerous Savoy Brown fans and followers this album is as enjoyable and exciting as everything else the group produced over the years; they just can´t go wrong. Warmly recommended!
| Updated: 30/09/2020Posted: 30/09/2020 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAVOY BROWN ~ BLUES ALL AROUND QUATRO VALLEY 0165 (Barcode: 805859088724) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023
This is an album by legendary British Blues band Savoy BrownFind albums by this artist, founded in 1965 by guitarist / vocalist / composer Kim SimmondsFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in a trio setting with bassist Pat DesalvoFind albums by this artist and drummer Garnet GrimmFind albums by this artist and was completed shortly before Simmonds died in December 2022, aged seventy-five, and was released posthumously. The album presents twelve original songs, all by Simmons.
As the music proves, Simmonds never lost any of his great feeling for the Blues and his recorded legacy, which spans dozens of albums, has no weak spots, despite the ever changing lineup of the band. His vocals and especially his unique guitar playing remain an everlasting statue of the Blues-Rock idiom, which proves that Europeans can write and play the Blues every bit as well as musicians from across the pond.
Overall, with the sadness accompanying the departure of the iconic figure of Simmonds, this album is a great testimony of his creative powers and a proper “closing” of his titanic career, although more of his recording are bound to pop up in the future. Absolutely not to be missed, this is an instant Blues classic.
| Updated: 16/03/2023Posted: 16/03/2023 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAVOY BROWN ~ BRING IT HOME VICEROY 54213 ~ UK ~ Blues
A most welcome comeback by this legendary 60`s blues group, playing strongly as ever. Led by the original lead guitarist Kim Simmonds, a real treat to all electric white blues fans.
| | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAVOY BROWN ~ CITY NIGHT QUATRO VALLEY 0114 (Barcode: 805859068528) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019
Fifty years (and forty albums) after I heard Kim SimmondsFind albums by this artist and his Savoy BrownFind albums by this artist band for the first time in London sometime in 1969, he is still very much alive and kicking, as this album proves beyond any doubt. In time Savoy Brown became an icon of British Blues-Rock, although the band achieved success primarily in the US and Germany. The preferred modus operandi of Simmonds these days is a Blues power trio, like the one heard here, with Simmonds playing guitar and delivering the vocals, accompanied by bassist Pat DesalvoFind albums by this artist and drummer Garnet GrimmFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original songs, all written by Simmonds.
Simmonds is perhaps not the greatest, and surely not the most famous guitar player around, but his true forte is the incredible consistency both as a player and a songwriter, which over time amassed an incredible amount of great tunes and hours on end of superb Blues guitar performances. Starting as part of the British Blues Revival and the birth of the Blues-Rock idiom, Savoy Brown was able to hold the candle of the genre for generations, with obvious ups and downs but always genuinely sincere and classy.
Although the Blues is an a priori limited musical playground, with clearly defined rules and regulations, human ingenuity proves that in spite of these limitations there is an infinite universe of music which can be created within them. Blues-Rock, now in its sixth decade, continues to daze and confuse all of us on a daily basis and thanks to Artists like Simmonds and his Gibson Les Paul guitar the scorching tones keep penetrating directly into our hearts.
Overall this is a superb and true to the source Blues-Rock album, which should satisfy completely all the connoisseurs of the genre and wet the lips of all guitar freaks around the globe. To Kim, all I can say is Godspeed and please don´t you ever change!
| Updated: 10/07/2019Posted: 10/07/2019 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAVOY BROWN ~ JACK THE TOAD MOONCREST 052 ~ UK ~ Blues
This is a collection of previously unreleased live tracks recorded in 1970/72 by one of the finest UK blues outfits of all times. Led by blues gitar virtuoso Kim Simmonds and featuring one of the finest UK blues singers Chris Youlden, Savoy Brown recorded a string of excellent blues albums between late 1960s and mid 1970s. The group was recently revived by Simmonds and is still active (see their recent albums on this site).
| Updated: 29/01/2019Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAVOY BROWN ~ LOOKING FROM THE OUTSIDE MOONCREST 051 ~ UK ~ Blues
This is a collection of previously unreleased live tracks recorded in 1969/70 by one of the finest UK blues outfits of all times. Led by blues gitar virtuoso Kim Simmonds and featuring one of the finest UK blues singers Chris Youlden, Savoy Brown recorded a string of excellent blues albums between late 1960s and mid 1970s. The group was recently revived by Simmonds and is still active (see their recent albums on this site).
| Updated: 29/01/2019Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAVOY BROWN ~ THE BLUES KEEP ME HOLDING ON MYSTIC 54323 ~ UK ~ Blues
2nd effort by the revitalized version of the legendary 60`s blues group. More rocky and energetic, but still a treat to all white blues fans.
| | CD 1 HDCD Recommend To A Friend |
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