Kim Simmonds - Struck By Lightning

Savoy Brown’s leading light burns in unfamiliar setting

The Savoy Brown guitarist, founder and now vocalist has diversified into acoustic blues in recent years, moving away from the crowd-pleasing electric boogie purveyed by his band. This reissue of a 2004 effort, Simmons’ third solo album is largely self-penned, but includes offerings from Arthur Crudup, Peetie Wheatstraw and NRBQ’s Terry Adams. The musical direction he’s headed in is one previously occupied by the likes of RL Burnside and Junior Kimbrough, doyens of the Fat Possum label, and the emphasis is on understated but inventive guitar work.

Sleevenotes by one-time Savoy Brown producer Neil Slaven are insightful, and the packaging is well up to SPV standards. But with the band backing rather flat, save for some tasteful piano licks from Mark Nanni, sounding like they’ve been overdubbed after the event, there’s little interplay to speak of with the frontman. By the time you reach track 12, a reprise of the title song in the form of its demo recording, you may feel you have had enough of a good thing. A worthy effort, but electric blues aficionados should be prepared to be broad-minded.

SPV | 50702

Reviewed by Michael Heatley
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