Music Review: Savoy Brown – Voodoo Moon

British blues-rock legends Savoy Brown have recently signed to a new record lable, Ruff Records, and have just released a new CD, Voodoo Moon.

“I believe the songs on Voodoo Moon are the best I’ve written since the early 70’s,” says Kim Simmonds, who has been making music with a constantly changing lineup of fellow Savoy Brown members since 1966.

Certainly, these nine original songs are as strong and as rocking as fans have come to expect from Savoy Brown, and will please long-time listeners as well as those new to the group. All of the songs are upbeat and show their blues roots prominently. The new lineup (Joe Whiting on vocals and sax, Pat DeSalvo on bass, and Garnet Grimm on drums) holds up the band’s tradition of excellence admirably. Simmonds’ guitar still smokes just like it did when Savoy Brown was opening for Cream and backing up John Lee Hooker in the 60’s. Joe Whiting has a great voice for the blues and handles vocals admirably on all the tracks except “Look at the Sun” and “Round and Round,” on which Simmonds sings.

While there are no weak songs here, perhaps the standout tracks for me are the rocking “She’s Got the Heat,” the smoking instrumental “24/7,” and the title track, “Voodoo Moon.” That’s really not fair to say, though, because the entire CD is a blues-rock lover’s delight from start to finish.

Altogether, this is a great listen for anyone who enjoys classic Chicago blues married to British rock in legendary style.