Customer Reviews

Blue Matter

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I was a schoolkid in the sixties this was one of the most revered of the 'blues' albums that we used to listen to, along with offerings from Mayall, Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, Keef Hartley etc. I hadn't listened to it for maybe 20 years until I recently bought the CD version via the Internet, from USA (it isn't available in UK). I cannot describe how disappointed I was on hearing it. The quality of the recording is ABYSMAL compared to the original vinyl and I can only imagine that the CD was generated from a very poor quality master tape. If you want this album on CD then I strongly recommend you find an old vinyl copy and have it recorded onto CD. The brilliant 'A Step Further' and 'Raw Sienna' haven't suffered in translation to CD and sound as vibrant and exciting now as they did when originally released.

The Sound Quality is absolutely TERRIBlE! Just listen to the sound samples offered here , totally life-less mastering .i am amazed at the lack of concern that LONDON RECORDS showed towards putting out a PROFESSIONAL PRODUCT (the British- have usually shown a preference for Utter Clarity and Detail in film,music you name it! ) Please RE-RELEASE these classic albums and let us know you did them again by putting a sticker on the CD package that says "NEWLY REMASTERED WITH 24 BIT. ETC.,ETC. FOLKS BUY THE LP RECORD AND RECORD IT ONTO CD YOURSELF! IT's not hard top do anymore,there are even people that will do it for you at the price you would normally pay for the CD. Usually i LIKE to support the record companies by purchasing REMASTERED Cd's,but there is absolutely NO REASON TO SUPPORT THIS KIND OF SOUND MANURE! ! By putting out such a bad product you hurt your FUTURE=PUBLIC=IMAGE. Please Take Care........

After the success of their first (American) album, Savoy Brown, like many bands, finds writing and recording a second one problematic. (Most bands literally put their heart and soul into their first album in an effort to get someone at a label to just listen to it; once they are signed, they find they have no time to work on a second one.) Therefore, Blue Matter feels like a transitional effort. Struggling to find enough time (and good material), Kim and Co. eventually solve the problem by recording three of the cuts live. (Singer Chris Youlden was ill; on those dates, the vocals were handled expertly by Lonesome Dave.) Still, there is enough meat here to make up a fairly decent effort. "Tolling Bells" is the standout number, a hauntingly melancholic effort featuring great guitar/piano interplay and Chris's mournful singing. "Train to Nowhere" fascinates because of it's experimental horn sounds and somewhat opaque lyrics. "Grits Ain't Groceries" sounds like an Electric Flag number, with it's brassy horns, while "Vicksburg Blues" features fine Bob Hall piano playing very much in the style of Albert Ammons or any one of the old boogie-woogie players from the 1930's. "Ring In His Nose" swings like crazy, as Chris playfully tells a story all too familiar to married couples. Finally, "Louisiana Blues" rocks like mad, with Kim's blistering riffs and Lonesome Dave's funky vocals injecting fresh energy into this Muddy Waters classic. ("Louisiana Blues" would remain a live staple for Dave's next band, Foghat, until his untimely death some 30 years later.) Unfortunately, the poor sound quality of this CD will mar the listener's enjoyment of an otherwise fine effort. (Oddly enough, the live cuts sound clearer than the studio ones.) Still, a very good effort by the band and worthy of a new sound mix, especially since the poor quality of the current pressing may leave you feeling a little blue.

Savoy Brown, a really fine concert band, loses a little bit in the translation to disc. This CD has a few truly memorable cuts and got lots of play back in the early 70's. Kim Simmonds played a very spirited lead guitar and the gritty gravelly vocals of Chris Youlden defined the group. Louisiana Blues is a particular highlight of the disc. It was even better when performed live at the Fillmore. Awesome album cover too.

Blue matter the third album from Savoy Brown a talented blues rock group in the sixties blues rock boom.Savoy brown was a superb five piece outfit fronted by the greatKim Simmonds and Lonesome Dave peverett on guitars and vocals.This was their best album after the terrific Raw Sienna.I got this album yesterday and have played it a number of times.I have given it a 4 star rating only because of the less than great sound quality.This album needs a good remastering job.This nice album features great tracks like Train to nowhere,dont turn me from your door,may be wrong,it hurts me too and the excellent Louisiana blues.Highly recommended to fans of blues rock music.

I recently saw Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown live at BB Kings & reminded me of all the great songs I remembered & listened to in the past.
Bought Blue Matter & hearing CHRIS YOULDEN's vocals on Tolling Bells & She's Got a Ring On His Nose... & Kim's solos especially Louisiana Blues, which is a rock/blues classic, just brings back good ol Rock n Roll & Blues memories of the 60's.. A Classic Time for MUSIC!!!!
And Train To Nowhere.. yowsa!! A treat of a CD indeed!

I HAVE THE ORIGINAL LPS AND PLAY THEM WHEN I NEED TO BOOGIE. BLUE MATTER AND A STEP FURTHER REALLY BURN! THIS IS THE BEST OF THE BRITISH BLUES SCENE,OR ANY OTHER WHITE BLUES BAND! THE CLOSEST SOUND THAT COMES TO MIND WOULD BE THE ALLMAND BROTHERS BAND LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST. NOTICE THE RECORDING DATES ON THESE LP'S. THESE RECORDS REALLY ROCK THEN AND NOW. IF THESE RECORDINGS DONT GET YOU TO BOOGIE YOU MUST BE DEAD!

I love this album, my dad intruduced it to me earlier this year and i had to go out and buy it. I dont mind the lower sound quality at all, I actually feel it adds to the atmosphere of the album. Gives it a more gritty, dirtier feel. If your a fan of british blues or early savoy buy this album. If you like their later stuff that has more rock influenced you may want to look else where.

If you're snooping around for a sample of Savoy Brown, I'd recommend "Raw Sienna" over this one: better guitar playing and Chris Youlden's vocals are much stronger (possibly because they were recorded better) on "R S". This CD has a few good moments (and some very good vocals from Lonesome Dave on the live cuts) but otherwise pales by comparison.

This has been remastered and combined with a remastered A Step Further. After reading the terrible reviews here, I was pleasantly surprised with what they were able to do. Well worth the money.