Customer Reviews

Street Corner Talking/Hellbound Train

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Kim Simmonds has been Savoy Brown for doggone near 40 years now (Shakedown came out in 1967). Every incarnation of the band has had Simmonds on guitar. Early formation saw part of the band (Dave Peverett, Roger Earl, and Tone Stevens) split to form FOGHAT.

Just like there's no mistaking Simmonds' guitar, the same can be said for Chris Youlden's voice. And this two LP combo on one CD gives you a few of Savoy's best tracks.

First, I think 'Tell Mama' is one of my all-time favorite songs PERIOD! Here it is from the Street Corner Talking release. 'Let It Rock' is another goodie. 'Can't Get Next To You' is a Motown ditty that's been redone a time or two by different folks. I think Rare Earth did a great job on it, but Savoy Brown does a darned fine job, as well.

'Troubled By These Days And Times' and 'If I Could See An End'... Hmmm. Prophetic titles, eh? (Hockey term)

'Wang Dang Doodle' is spectazmagoric! I made that up, but I think you get the idea. It's cool and fun (and maybe a bit haunting with Simmonds' guitar).

But to round out the whole thing is the epic tale of the 'Hellbound Train.'

"I'm goin down the road on the hellbound train. Take a last look baby 'cause you won't see me again."

What to expect? Very good guitar. Unique vocals. What I'd classify as semi-psychedelic blues. Extended jams to showcase Simmonds talent.

What not to expect? Mainstream, Clapton/King blues. Foghat-esque boogie. Two or three minute songs. Can't tell a good story in that length of time!

When you get tired of hearing the various 'new' bands who sound the same vocally or sound the same as far as guitar is concerned, etc., just grab any of the early Savoy Brown albums - this pair is a great place to start!

This is a great 2-albums-for-the-price-of-one collection. You get yerself two classic Savoy Brown albums (especially Street Corner Tallking), both remastered, with some decent liner notes. The sound is more up-to-date than the old Deram versions, so this purchase was a no-brainer for me. The only downside is that the artwork has been shrunk to nearly nothing, but that's a small price to pay for the upgrade in audio quality.

WHEN STREET CORNER TALKING CAME OUT ON VINYL,I WORE IT OUT.I HAVE HAD THE 1990 CD FOR SOME TIME,BUT NOW THAT THIS REMASTER IS OUT,IT'S LIKE HEARING IT AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME.SOME OF THE BEST BLUES GUITAR WORK BY KIM SIMMONS.EVERY SONG IS EXCELLENT.HELL BOUND TRAIN HAS THE SAME SINGER AS STREET,DAVE WALKER,IN MY OPINION THEIR BEST EVER SINGER.THEIR WORST? JACKIE LYNTON(JACK THE TOAD)BUT FOR THIS RELEASE,I TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT.

I strongly recommend this Item: Well remastered, good sound, clear, not so loud or overproduced, good clarity.
Savoy Brand is one of those Bands that were underestimated in their time, but thanks to these reissues, music lovers can discover how great they were(and still are in some cases, when they keep recording and/or touring).
As I stated in my title, kudos to that great label, BGO Records. Thanks guys, you are really doing a great, outstanding job. This from a dedicated audiophile. I'm planning to get other Savoy Brown Two-fers.

Originally released in the UK on the 'Beat Goes On' Label in 2006, this singular CD (a jewel case in an outside card wrap) gives you 2 full LPs on one CD. Beat Goes On BGOCD717 breaks down as follows (76:38 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 7 are the album "Street Corner Talking" issued on Decca TXS 104 in the UK and on Parrot PAS 71047 in the USA in September 1971

Tracks 8 to 14 are the album "Hellbound Train" issued on Decca TXS 107 in the UK and on Parrot XPAS 71052 in the USA in February 1972

The cartoon on the outer gatefold sleeve of "Street Corner Talking" is partially reproduced in the booklet - as are the band photos on the inner gatefold - and the black and white "Hellbound Train" cartoon on the inner gatefold of the LP is fully reproduced as a 2-page spread on the centres pages of the 12-page booklet. There's good liner notes by JOHN O'REGAN on the band history of the 2 LPs (they charted in the USA at 75 and 34 respectively on the back of the Blues boom).

The sound quality is great - really clear and ballsy - doesn't say who did what, but the audio quality is excellent. The remaster gives full reign to the Lead Guitar of Kim Simmonds on tracks like "Tell Mama" where the band sounds not unlike Juicy Lucy meets Ten Years After meets The Allman Brothers...a combination that will appeal to many who like their boogie with a slice of Blues in it. The covers of The Temptations "I Can't Get Next To You" and Koko Taylor's "Wang Dang Doodle" are very well done too - suitably funk-rocked up.

The 1972 album gets a bit more contemplative and even soulful on tracks like "Lost And Lonely Child" and "Troubled By These Days And Times". I particularly like the organ-driven funk of "It'll Make You Happy" and the nine minutes of "Hellbound Train" (lyrics above) which sounds almost like an American Gypsy or Atlanta Rhythm Section tune - with Dave Bidwell's drumming and Paul Raymond's keyboards slinking through the entire number - it's very good indeed.

To sum up - it's not all Boogie genius for sure, but the good stuff is great and fondly remembered for a reason. And with the original vinyl versions of these albums being extremely hard to find and expensive as well (especially in the UK) - this is a welcome re-release and well worth seeking out.

A rather cool little reissue really.