Customer Reviews

Blues Keep Me Holding on

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've always been a Savoy Brown fan, from the days of SHAKE THEM ON DOWN and BLUE MATTER to STREET CORNER TALKING. I think that Englishmen like Kim Simmonds, along with the likes of John Mayall and Eric Clapton, have had (oddly) a much better feel for and ability to interpret American blues than white Americans themselves (with a few exceptions such as Paul Butterfield). THE BLUES KEEP ME HOLDING ON carries on the SAVOY BROWN tradition of a pure feeling for, and ability to express and interpret American blues. On this album, I think the best tracks are those on which Kim sings (as well as plays guitar), esp. "That's All I Want Baby" and "Mississippi Steamboat"--which are inspired! Some of the best work this band has done. Kim (and pals) are in gear, and, as usual, headed in the right direction. If you're a SAVOY BROWN fan, you will like this album; if you're new to the band, check it out (or other CD's like GETTING TO THE POINT and STREET CORNER TALKING).

IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, BUT KIM SIMMONDS HAS GONE BACK TO HIS ROOTS. THIS CD IS FILLED WITH THE KIND OF BLUES THAT SAVOY BROWN STARTED OUT PLAYING IN 1966. THIS ALL REMINDS ME OF THE FIRST 3 ALBUMS: "SHAKEDOWN","GETTING TO THE POINT",AND "BLUE MATTER". SOME REALLY FINE MATERIAL HERE, PLAYED BY SOME GREAT MUSICIANS. KIM SIMMONDS STILL HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO GET DEEP INTO THE BLUES.NATHANIEL PETERSON (BASS& VOCALS),TOM COMPTON (DRUMS)ALSO SEEM TO SHARE THE SAME RESPECT FOR THE BLUES AS KIM SIMMONDS DOES.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DAVE MAXWELL (PIANO)BECOME A FULL TIME MEMBER, BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HEARD PLAYING LIKE THAT SINCE THE OLD DAYS WHEN BOB HALL PLAYED ON THE EARLIER ALBUMS. ALL IN ALL A GREAT LISTEN WHICH LEAVES ME WANTING MORE AND MORE.I GIVE THIS CD VERY HIGH PRAISE, AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

Released in 1999, The Blues Keep Me Holding On marks the beginning of the Savoy Brown renaissance, meaning that Kim would once again settle for no less than outstanding material, the best musicians, and excellent albums. Nathaniel Peterson's vocals and Tom Compton's tasteful drumming provide a fabulous blues backup to Kim's guitar virtuosity. He chases after "Little Red Rooster" with a cleaver, hacking it to pieces and then magically reassembling the reconstructed bird like a phoenix. (Much better than the acoustic band version on his 1986 effort, Slow Train.) Also, his National steel playing truly shines on "Going Down to Mobile" and he attacks the boogie of "Everybody Says They Want It" with renewed vigor. Petersen, SB's first black lead vocalist since Bryce Portius from the Shake Down days, brims with passion on "Bad Shape" and delivers the message with conviction during the political number "Headline News". Similarly inspired, Kim's own vocals are starting to gain confidence, as "When You've Got A Good Friend" and "Mississippi Steamboat" are sung with authentic fervor. Finally, numerous guest musicians contribute to the record's success, most notably SB (and Foghat) alumnus Roger Earle and Cajun guitar whiz Duke Roubillard on "That's All I Want Baby"; they play while Kim swaggers the vocals. In short, The Blues Keep Me Holding On heralds a renewed committment by Kim and Co to passion and excellence in music. If you love both blues and boogie, then get this album and hold on tight for the ride of your life.

This album is as good if not better than anything Kim Simmonds has ever "cooked" on. The purity of Nathaniel Peterson's vocals, the impeccable timekeepting of Tom Compton's drumming complementing Kim's always masterful guitar work will set your soul on fire. Prepare to be delighted.

As a fan from WAY back, I am always anxious to hear any new (or old!) Savoy Brown music. From the first spin of the new CD, I have been extremely impressed with this effort. Shades of Chris Youlden from Nathaniel, excellent drums from top studio session man Tom Compton (check him out on Johnny Winter albums), and then there's Kim Simmonds. He really pulls out all the stops on this one. His blistering solos and emotional styling prove he is still at the top of the blues guitar crowd. If one's car CD player has to stop ejecting CD's (like mine has), it's not so bad when this new CD is the only one that I can listen to. Buy this one - you won't tire of it, either. Long live Kim and the boys!

I can still remember when I saw savoy brown perform as backup for Led Zepplin along with Jethro Tull.both of which I went out and bought the next day along with Zeps first.the moment I heard kim simmonds do his riffs on guitar I knew thats what I wanted for my own group.the blazing instumentals really rock even though its supposed to be a blues band and dave[aka lonesome dave]is no longer with them.he was also a great guitarist who went on to form the now defunked Foghat.if your a blues or rock fan you'll want this album as kim only proves he gets better with age.hes second to none in a class by himself.stevie ray vaughn came close but kim outdoes himself on this one,shades of old.like mikey says "try it you'll like it"you can take that to the bank.I do not joke when it comes to music seriously!

After two mediocre live CDs (Archive Alive, Live at the Bottom Line) this disc proves Kim Simmonds can still jam with the best of them. Most of the tunes are up-tempo blues with blistering and thoughtful guitar. New vocalist Nathanial Peterson (he's actually been touring as a member of SB for the last 3 or so years... I saw him live a couple of years back) is authentic and moving. At times he is even reminiscent of Chris Youlden (check out "Ain't no need to worry'). Not a bad cut on the disc.

let me start out by saying this album/CD is essential to those of us who have seen Kim Simmonds live and know his capabilty.the first four cuts in my opinion are teasers and show versatality.then comes Bad Shape which just previews Kims guitar work,a few more versitile cuts and Kim cuts loose a little more with great finger work on Little Red Rooster that still doesn't show his full capabilities as those of us who have seen Savoy brown and know what Kim Simmonds is capable of.its a must have for those who have just discovered this group or are just into blues and music.simply a great rating for a great group who deserve every star.Blue Matter by the way is also up there among others that contain Savoy way back when,Raw Sienna[the album],chris youlden,lonesome Dave among other former Savoy Brown members.all in all its just great

For those like me, who were in at the beginning of Savoy Brown Blues Band, this album is a serious tribute to their consistancy, effort and strenghth of will not to be beaten down by British apathy to good music. This album combines the energy, touch and inventiveness of Kim and his partners in crime. It keeps alive the aspiration of all us British blues musicians in the 1960's, anyone who likes thier blues played from the soul, with energy and guts go buy this album now. Well done! Come back and show us how it should be done.

Having wanted to see Savoy Brown perform live for years, I finally got the opportunity during Bike Week 2000 in Daytona Beach...

I was so blown away by their performance, I picked up this CD, and to say the least, I feel it is one of the best blues CDs to come along in a very long time.

I highly recommend it to those serious blues (and boogie) fanatics.