Savoy Brown is a British blues-rock band that emerged in the late 1960s. Their music was characterized by a unique blend of blues, rock, and a touch of psychedelia. One aspect that sets Savoy Brown apart from other bands of the era is their "witchy" feel. The term "witchy" is often associated with the mystical and magical, and it perfectly captures the atmospheric quality that Savoy Brown brings to their music. The band's sound is dark, moody, and haunting, creating an otherworldly experience for listeners. This witchy feel can be attributed to several factors.
Even as recent as 2017, Savoy Brown's album Witchy Feeling reached the number-one spot on the Billboard blues chart. In 1997, Simmonds released his debut solo album Solitaire, adding to more than 50 releases over the course of his long career. RIP.
One of the side effects is peripheral neuropathy which has now deadened the nerves in my fingers and hands feet too , Simmonds revealed, noting he had recorded new songs prior to his illness that will appear on a forthcoming album. Here we have him with Pat DeSalvo on bass and Garnet Grimm on drums doing a great job backing up this 69 year old British master of the blues guitar.
This witchy feel can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the use of minor chords and bluesy riffs adds a certain melancholic and mysterious element to the music. Tony "Tone" Stevens' deep and soulful bass lines further enhance this eerie atmosphere.
Co-Founding Savoy Brown Guitarist Kim Simmonds Has Died at 75
Kim Simmonds, the long-time guitarist of U.K. blues rock band Savoy Brown, has passed away at the age of 75. The band confirmed the news on Facebook and Twitter, sharing that Simmonds passed peacefully in his sleep the evening of Dec. 13. They also shared the lyrics of their 1971 song "All I Can Do" to commemorate their revered co-founding member.
"You've gone away / I'll get by somehow / Just right now / All I can do is cry," the post begins, also stating, "Please note one of Kim's last requests was to thank the fans of Savoy Brown - your support was, and shall always be, immensely appreciated."
Simmonds had just celebrated his milestone 75th birthday earlier this month, on Dec. 5, though he had shared news in August that he was battling a rare form of stage-four colon cancer as an explantation for canceling his remaining show dates for the year.
"I’ve been receiving chemotherapy and that has made it hard for me to play gigs. One of the side effects is peripheral neuropathy which has now deadened the nerves in my fingers and hands (feet too)," Simmonds revealed, noting he had recorded new songs prior to his illness that will appear on a forthcoming album. He also shared he switched to slide guitar on some tracks, which allowed him to better play the instrument given the side effects he experienced.
Simmonds was born in 1947 in Wales and first learned to play guitar listening to his older brother's blues records. Per Ultimate Classic Rock, seeing shows in London by seminal acts such as Fats Domino, Bo Diddley and The Rolling Stones were also game-changing moments for the budding talent.
Simmonds helped form the Savoy Brown Blues Band in 1965 (later, shortening the group name). At the time, Simmonds was only 18-years-old. Playing alongside Cream and John Lee Hooker, Savoy Brown gained quite a following and was hugely regarded as a kingpin in the British blues movement. Though they'd find more notoriety in the States than in their native U.K. thanks to relentless touring and the success of singles like "I'm Tired."
Even as recent as 2017, Savoy Brown's album Witchy Feeling reached the number-one spot on the Billboard blues chart. In 1997, Simmonds released his debut solo album Solitaire, adding to more than 50 releases over the course of his long career. RIP.
Additionally, Kim Simmonds, the band's guitarist, is known for his distinctive playing style, characterized by a haunting and wailing tone. His guitar solos often evoke a sense of longing and sadness, further enhancing the witchy feel of their music. Lyrically, Savoy Brown's songs often touch on themes of mysticism, the supernatural, and the occult. This can be seen in songs like "Street Corner Talking," which tells a haunting tale of a woman with supernatural abilities. The lyrics, combined with the band's dark and brooding instrumentation, create a sense of unease and mystery. The band's album artwork also contributes to the witchy feel. Often featuring dark and mystical imagery, such as tarot cards, skulls, and enchanting landscapes, the album covers add an extra layer of intrigue and magic to their music. Overall, Savoy Brown's "witchy" feel is a result of their unique blend of blues, rock, and psychedelia, combined with their haunting instrumentation, mystical lyrics, and ethereal album artwork. This distinctive atmosphere sets them apart from other bands of their time and adds an extra layer of magic to the blues-rock genre..
Reviews for "Savoy Brown's Witchy Sound: a Journey Through Shadows and Mysteries"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with Savoy Brown's "Witchy Feel". The songs lacked creativity and originality, and it felt like they were just going through the motions without any passion. The lyrics were cliché and predictable, and the overall sound was uninspiring. I've been a fan of Savoy Brown for a long time, but this album just didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish listening to "Witchy Feel" by Savoy Brown. The whole album felt like a poor attempt at recreating a sound that has been done much better by other artists. The production was subpar, and the songs were forgettable. I had high hopes for this album, but it was a major letdown. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on it.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I found "Witchy Feel" by Savoy Brown to be quite monotonous and repetitive. The songs all blended together and didn't offer anything new or exciting. The guitar solos, which are usually a highlight of Savoy Brown's music, felt uninspired and lacked the usual energy. Overall, this album was a miss for me. I hope their next release will be more impressive.
4. Emily - 3/5 stars - While I didn't hate "Witchy Feel" by Savoy Brown, I also didn't find it very memorable. The songs had a generic blues-rock feel to them, without any standout tracks that left a lasting impression. It's not a bad album, but it's definitely not one that I would actively seek out to listen to again. Savoy Brown has done better in the past, and I hope they can recapture their magic in future releases.
5. Brian - 2/5 stars - "Witchy Feel" by Savoy Brown lacked the dynamic energy and excitement that I usually associate with their music. The album felt flat and lacked the powerful vocals and gripping guitar work that Savoy Brown is known for. It was a disappointing release that didn't live up to their previous works. I would recommend checking out their earlier albums instead, where their true talent shines through.