Customer Reviews

Collection

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The trouble I have with most "anthology" box sets is that they are either a.)glorified "greatest hits" packages with several of those dreaded "newly recorded" tracks tossed in to pad things out,or b.) comphrehensive to the point of redundancy, with 27 bonus demo versions of songs already in the set. Luckily, this Savoy Brown collection is the rarity- a well selected, smartly sequenced, sonically excellent overview of the band. Of all the great British blues guitarists who started out around the same time (Clapton, Beck, Page & Co.),Savoy Brown's Kim Simmonds has quietly remained the most faithful to an authentic blues sound. Considering the revolving door of band personnel who are represented here, what impresses the listener is how consistently Simmonds has kept to his original vision over the years, without ever becoming boring or sounding stale. If you're only budgeted for one purchase for your Savoy Brown collection, you need not take one step further than this anthology.

So, a sibling, lover, or real good friend has got you all hot and bothered about Savoy Brown, that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread, etc., and you want to run out and buy some of their unforgettable music! What a great idea! But, just one question: which album to get? Well, how about all of them! And since you don't have a couple hundred extra dollars just lying around to spend on music, get this fabulous compilation instead. Starting at the very beginning with the British-only (and hard to find) CD, Shake Down, and concluding with the Mutt-Lang produced hard rock epic Savage Return from 1978, there is plenty of music to suit your every mood and whim. Whoever put this collection together (wonder if Kim himself had a hand in it) knew what they were doing: Of the 29 tracks in the album, no fewer than a dozen are taken from SB's three greatest albums: Raw Sienna, Looking In, and Street Corner Talking. Also, only one cut apiece was drawn from such "lesser" works as Boogie Brothers, Jack the Toad, Wire Fire, Skin 'N Bone, and Savage Return, and this was probably a wise decision as well. Personally, it's regrettable that only two tracks should be drawn from such an excellent set as Getting to the Point; how about including "Walking By Myself", "Big City Lights", or "Taste and Try Before You Buy?" (Now that we're on the subject: What about a second collection chronicling the years 1981 to the present? True, SB's glory days were in the sixities and early seventies, but there is enough good material on their later releases to warrant a new compilation.) In any case, the listener will be blown away by the range and depth of this material, from traditional blues covers ("I Ain't Superstitious", "Louisiana Blues") to startling new originals ("Mr. Downchild", "Money Cant Save Your Soul"); from rabble-rousing party anthems ("Tell Mama", "I'm Tired") to lengthy but never tedious jams ("Leaving Again", "Hellbound Train"), this band could do it all. Thanks for such a long history of great music must go to the fantastic musicians that helped make it over the years: Lonesome Dave, Chris Youlden, Roger Earl, Tone Stephens, Dave Walker, Paul Raymond, Bob Hall, Andy Pyle, Dave Bidwell, Jackie Lynton, Stan Webb, and Miller Anderson are some of the many talented players that made it happen for SB album after album, concert after concert. Last but not least, the listener should thank Kim Simmonds, SB's founder, leader, and guiding force, for having the courage to reinvent himself and to insist on only the highest standards for himself and his music. Welcome to the World of Savoy Brown! This collection, large as it seems, holds only a small sample of the hours and hours of musical enjoyment you can experience with Kim and Co. on your stereo. GET IT NOW!!!

Nothing will ever replaced seeing these guys live in some small club - but this is close. One of the all time great and unique blues groups and I can still see them nailing the drums to the stage before they went on. For those of us lucky enough to see these guys perform - a must album that will be played over and over and over...

These tunes really take me back to the late 60s and early 70s when nearly every aspiring rock band felt they had to learn to play the blues. A few of them, like Savoy Brown, actually became decent blues bands. But rather than thinking of Savoy Brown in the strict blues vein, I see them for where they took their own music. These guys played live with big energy and they had an infectuous boogie groove. In that respect, they did play an important role in rock during their peak. I think that one reason they didn't maintain their popularity is because they didn't change much over time and since the music world was morphing rapidly, they kinda got left behind. But that doesn't take away from the great music they made.

I went a little low on the rating for a couple of reasons. First, if there were half stars available, I wouldn't hesitate to bump this up to 3.5 stars, but can't manage to go to 4. The reason I'm hesitant to go up to 4 is that I feel these tunes hold up better in their original LP than in a compilation. So I'd put 4 stars on Street Corner Talking and Looking In without hesitation. Maybe it's because of all the times we sat around (or danced around) at parties when the whole LP was played. Secondly, I find some of these tunes a bit weak and I reserve 4 and 5 star ratings for albums that are more consistently strong.

Truly a great overview of one of the best brit blues-rock bands.Not one bad song on this collection and the sound quality is fabulous.
If you love blues ,rock or great music in general,this cd should definitely be in your collection.

I can remember the first time I heard Savoy Brown. A high school friend fired up Tell Mama and I was hooked. But it was not until I heard A Hard Way To Go, Stay While The Night is Young, Street Corner Talking, Hellbound Train, and Wang Dang Doodle that I realized how excellent Savoy Brown was. Those songs still resonate throughout me like great music has a tendency to do. This collection has all the tunes and then some. It is an essential CD for any fan of British blues. And Seth, if you read this, drop me an email. I want to thank you for turning me on to Savoy Brown.

A double CD of some of the best blues for the late 60's early 70's. Kim and the band where at the top of blues world. And still are. Saw them 14 Feb. 2002 and Kim is still got it!

If you like foot stompin Blues-Rock this album is for you. I grew up with these guys and was glad to see all my favorites on one CD. Good listening.

THIS CD IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE, FOR ALL OF YOU BLUES LOVERS OUT THERE. KIM SIMMONDS IS DEFINATELY A MASTER MINDED, EVER SO GIFTED MAN.WHO HAS GIVEN US MANY YEARS OF HIS GREAT TALENTS, AND TO THIS VERY DAY HE IS STILL GOING STRONG AS EVER. HE IS TRUELY A UNIQUE BLESSING INTO THE WORLD OF MUSIC. AND I AM DELIGHTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILAGE TO MEET AND COME TO KNOW MR.SIMMONDS. AGAIN THIS DOUBLE CD SET IS AN EXCEPTIONAL PIECE THAT SHOULD BE ADDED TO ONES COLLECTION.

THANKS FOR THE GREAT MUSIC AND BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES KIM. YOU ARE A HUGE INSPIRATION TO ME. AND DEFINATELY ONE WHO NEVER SOLD OUT.
LOVE YOUR FRIEND IN CHICAGO.
JUDY

I had forgotten most of those songs and am very glad I purchased this CD. My much younger nephew is now a Savoy Brown fan after spending some time with me in the truck and listening to it.