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From the Vault...
06/06/1999
#632 |
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info
Savoy Brown
"Raw Sienna"
© Deram Records
Year of Release: 970<
Rating:
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track listing
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A Hard Way To Go
That Same Feelin'
Master Hare
Needle And Spoon
A Little More Wine
I'm Crying
Stay While The NightIs Young
Is That So
When I Was A Young Boy
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Savoy Brown
"Raw Sienna"
Savoy Brown is the ultimate rock/boogie band. Their 1970 release,
Raw Sienna, was before their most highly acclaimed album, Street
Corner Talking, and the album that proceeded it,
Hellbound Train.
Raw Sienna has something different than the two albums that followed
it, using horns and guitars, similar to such groups as the early Chicago and
Blood, Sweat & Tears. And it has songs in their usual famous style, that is,
rock & roll, boogie rock, and the blues.
"A Hard Way To Go" has an opening similar to Nirvana's "Come As You
Are" or "Lithium," and the vocals has an eerie resemblance to Ozzy Osbourne.
Overall, it is a good tune.
If you love the music of Blood, Sweat & Tears, then you'll love "That
Same Feelin'". It has the horns of B, S & T, likewise it has some soul
to it as well. "Master Hare" is another B, S & T-influenced song,
and is an instrumental. It's jazzy rock, and has a cool beat, with horns,
guitar solos, and all. And surprisingly, it also has some instruments heard
in classical music! This song is quite an impressive one.
"Needle And Spoon" returns to the style Savoy Brown is famous for:
Rock/Boogie/Blues. This is a song that ZZ Top would of loved to cover, during
their early album recordings. However, with lyrics like: "I feel alright
with my needle and spoon," future rock bands would probably NOT cover this
song, as it inspires drug use. (Remember, back in the late 60s, early 70s,
this was a "cool" thing; everyone was doing it.)
Another common trait in being a rock and roller: Drinking. "A Little
More Wine" continues the familar rock/boogie/blues sound. This song has
a sound similar to The Rolling Stones, heard on such albums as Let It Bleed
and Beggar's Banquet, with its blues-Stones sound.
"I'm Crying" is more blues, with a touch of soul. Likewise,
rock mixed with a touch of blues is the focus of "Stay While The Night Is
Young." Somehow, Arlo Guthrie's "Coming Into Los Angeles" keeps whirling
in my head while I listen to this song.
"Is That So" is definitely rock and jazz. From the opening drum
beats of this song, I immediately knew that is was a jazz-influenced song,
like Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." Like Brubeck's song, it's an instrumental,
and it clocks in at almost 8 minutes in length, making this song the longest
on the album. (The others are roughly 3-4 minutes each). The album closes
with "When I Was A Young Boy", a slow boogie rock blues song, and
suprisingly, it has some classical music backdrops.
Raw Sienna is a definite runner up to their future albums,
Street Corner Talking and Hellbound Train. (The latter of the
two was reviewed on this website -- December, 1998.) Raw Sienna also
was a stepping stone for better things to come for Savoy Brown. Featuring
some common "sounds" of the times, it features rock, blues, and jazz.
Savoy Brown is a good band to listen to, starting chronologically.
They started out as a common boogie band, and as each album was released,
they adapted with the times, and improved themselves as time went on.
Albums like Raw Sienna, Street Corner Talking, and Hellbound Train
are perfect examples. Their music is labelled as your typical rock and roll,
and for those in Classic Rock, this band will be a good taste bud in your
musical flavors. However, we don't hear Savoy Brown's music hardly on the
radio, which is a shame. Their music could easily fit the format of Classic
Rock Radio. In all, Savoy Brown is a must-listen to, and for those into
Classic Rock, you will not be disappointed.
© WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved.
Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Deram Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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