Savoy Brown — Ain’t Done Yet

Formed in 1965, Savoy Brown has been credited as being instrumental in the blues-rock movement with a staggering forty-one album releases between 1967 and 2019. Still packing venues and making music, the aptly titled Ain’t Done Yet proves just that.

Opener All Gone Wrong has this chugging drum beat courtesy of Garnet Grimm whilst Simmonds guitar cries out like a bird soaring through the sky. Very ZZ Top/swamp blues in delivery but still with their own Savoy Brown signature sound.

Devils Highway has a late-night vibe and Pat DeSalvo’s groovy bass blends beautifully with the driving guitar and intriguing lyrics which concoct images of red skies, and long highways paved with unsavoury characters. Blues-rock storytelling at its finest.

River On The Rise deals with Mother Nature and the consequences of excessive rain and subsequent flooding which is, unfortunately, something that the citizens of the world know only all too well. “In twenty-four hours, it’ll be over the floor” Kim Simmonds sings. An emotive number which sits nicely on this record.

Borrowed Time has a vocal effect/delay which could be argued is not necessary but it does help create an eerie atmosphere. Title track Ain’t Done Yet is a real boogie and will sound fantastic in a live setting with that crisp guitar solo ringing out.

Feel Like A Gypsy has a lovely intro with Santana-Esque percussion and the track reminds me of Creedence Clearwater Revival at times. Kim Simmonds’ vocal has a lovely textured tone to it.

Jaguar Car features an impactful harmonica and is perfect for long summer drives with the volume up and the sunroof down. A definite single release in my humble opinion. Rocking In Louisiana has lovely steel guitar and a call and response chorus making it a potential live favourite.

Soho Girl is a tale of a woman who “drives a 67’ Mustang and sleeps with a gun” and the lyrics are intriguing as you do wonder if Soho Girl is a real person or just an imagined one?

Closer Crying Guitar is an instrumental which will appeal to people who enjoy the music of the late Gary Moore. The guitar is purposeful but not aggressive; it’s a perfect balance.

In conclusion, Ain’t Done Yet will please long-term followers of the band and collection completest types as well as inspire/influence younger audiences who were not there at the beginning thus keeping the genre of blues rock alive as well as the Savoy Brown legacy. Word of advice though, when you listen to it make sure you turn the volume knob up.

Savoy Brown’s new album ‘Ain’t Down Yet’ is out now on Quatro Valley Records. For more information visit www.savoybrown.com