Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown
Album: The Devil To Pay
Label: RUF
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.savoybrown.com

They say the blues gets under your skin - well for Kim Simmonds it certainly has. For 50 years he has been singing and playing the blues with Savoy Brown.

He's been playing the blues since 1965 and this year marks the 50th anniversary of Savoy Brown as one of the UK's most enduring blues bands.

The band signed to Decca and were at the forefront of the British blues scene, opening for Cream's first London show and jamming with Jimi Hendrix. Guitarist Kim has been the mainstay of the band since the Sixties.

The music for this latest release was recorded very quickly in New York and there is an over-riding freshness to the entire album.

It kicks off with Ain't Got Nobody, a blues lament with achingly solo guitar throughout which sets the bar high. Bad Weather Brewing is a Chicago blues shuffle with drummer Garnet Grimm and bassman Pat DeSalvo putting down a great rhythm.

Grew Up In The Blues is a semi-autobiographical tale featuring more blistering guitar.

When Loves Goes Wrong is a slower number, with a BB King feel to it.

With Pat and Garnet keeping everything nice and tight, Kim can let his guitar do the talking.

If you are Chicago blues fan then this is one album that certainly deserves your attention.

Oh Rosa is another shuffle with Kim blowing some mean harp and some tasty guitar.

With 45 albums under his belt in a 50-year career, Kim shows no sign of slowing down. The music is fresh and vibrant.

The title track, The Devil To Pay, is an up tempo blues with chugging guitar but listen out for some meaty bass playing.

The guitar shines throughout, Stop Your Throwing Your Love Around, features riffs and superlative fluid breaks.

The instrumental Snakin' allows Kim to certainly show his chops. Great stuff.

The great music continues with the slow burner, Got An Awful Feeling, where Kim lets his Epiphone Emperor guitar do all the talking. Wonderful tone.

Kim switches to his Gibson SG for a slide workout on I've Been Drinking and the bar is raised even higher.

A visit to the Savoy Brown website features a great section looking back over their career. Certainly some interesting photos to see. These boys have certainly paid their dues.

Watch My Woman is an up tempo blues romp. Whiskey Headed Baby is a slower number with even more sparkling guitar and the album is brought to a close with Evil Eye, a brooding blast of the blues.

Yes, the blues and alive and kicking - especially in Kim Simmonds' hands!

John Knighton