Kim Simmonds

Kim Simmonds - Blues Like Midnight - 2001 - Blue Wave

Savoy Brown's founding leader unplugs once again for his second solo outing. Considering that his band has released some lackluster, highly derivative, and plain plodding boogie material, especially in the '80s and '90s, this subtle set is remarkably affecting in its low-key, moody intensity. Simmonds doesn't have a great voice, but it works well in this stripped-down setting dominated by originals that sound like classic covers. A nearly eight-minute version of Jimmie Rodgers' title track is the album's centerpiece, yet the entire disc is an emotionally stirring showcase for a style of music seldom associated with the traditionally spotlight-stealing leads of Simmonds' electric blues band. Piedmont, folk, and Delta approaches are all evident, with an Indian feel heightened by simmering congas on the appropriately titled instrumental "Rag Ah." Drums and bass make an appearance on two tunes, one a cover of J.J. Cale's "Hold on Baby" that takes the already greasy song into the Mississippi swamps. The closing "Blues for Lonesome" instrumental (the entire CD is dedicated to his old bandmate and later Foghat founder Lonesome Dave Peverett) shows Simmonds' exceptional slide prowess and is a touching coda to an extraordinarily moving and introspective acoustic blues album. It proves that Kim Simmonds is talented enough to be in the top ranks of '60s British blues guitar legends, a category where he's often considered an also-ran. © Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide © 2010 Answers Corporation http://www.answers.com/topic/blues-like-midnight

The brilliant blues guitarist from Savoy Brown plays an unplugged set of 13 songs covering many blues styles. Kim penned 11 of the tracks, and the album sounds like it was recorded 50 years ago. This is the real authentic blues deal played with passion and style by one of Britains most underrated blues guitarists. Check out Kim's "Struck By Lightning" album @ KIMSIM/SBL and search this blog for Savoy Brown releases

TRACKS

Cry Before She Goes
Morning Light
Tell the World
Move to a Country Town
Hold on Baby
My Woman Blues
Rag Ah
Sometimes You Gamble
Long Ways from Heaven
Blues Like Midnight
Baby Says She's Leaving
Crying the Blues All Night
Blues for Lonesome

MUSICIANS

Kim Simmonds (vocals, acoustic guitar)
Dave Malachowski (guitar)
Pat DeSalvo (bass)
Bob Hall (piano)
Garnet Grimm (drums)
Dave DeSiro (percussion)
Dan Atkins (mandolin)
Kevin Curry (violin)

All songs composed by Kim Simmonds, except "Hold on Baby" by J.J Cale, and "Blues Like Midnight" by Jimmy Rogers

BIO

Kim Simmonds, born in Newbridge, Wales, in 1947, is considered a legendary blues guitarist by almost any musical standard. He has even been called one of the founding fathers of British blues by some. Besides his mastery with the guitar, he can hold his own with vocals, piano, harmonica, and even Dobro. The strength of his talent and his willingness to hang tough when weaker men would toss in the towel have carried him through more than three decades in the survive-if-you-can music business. Thanks to an older brother, Simmonds heard plenty of music when he was growing up. He favored everything from the Beatles to James Brown. In 1966, when Simmonds was still in his teens, he formed a rock and blues group called Savoy Brown. Other members were bassist Ray Chappell, keyboardist Bob Hall, singer Bruce Portius, drummer Leo Manning, and guitarist Martin Stone. The band got its start performing in small pubs throughout London. In a year's time there was a Savoy Brown debut album, Shake Down. The list of members changed often around Simmonds, but he persisted, and the group released album after album. In 1995 the PolyGram Records label put together a two-piece box set of many of the recordings, titled simply Savoy Brown. Taking a chance at a solo career, Simmonds recorded a debut solo offering, appropriately called Solitaire. It was released in 1997 by Blue Wave Records. Some of the acoustic blues numbers that fans can sample on this release are "I Keep Calling My Baby," "Bad Morning," "Depression Blues," and "Blues Vibration." Blues Like Midnight followed in spring 2001. © Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide © 2010 Answers Corporation http://www.answers.com/topic/kim-simmonds

MORE ABOUT KIM SIMMONDS

For over 30 years Kim Simmonds has been synonymous with 'legendary British blues guitar', being mentioned in the same breath as Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor in the hierarchy of England's best guitar slingers from the 60s golden era of British blues. Kim started his career in London, England in 1966 by forming the group Savoy Brown and has since enjoyed international fame. He's been featured on the front cover of Guitar Magazine, made over 3 dozen records and performed around the world. He has an international fan club based in Wales and a web site at www.savoybrown.com. Kim's records with Savoy Brown (many produced by himself) have sold millions, with albums such as Looking In and Hellbound Train reaching the Billboard Top 40 charts. Many of his songs have been covered by such diverse artists as Rare Earth, Hugo Montenegro and Great White. In 1995, a two CD boxed set, The Savoy Brown Collection released by Polygram Records, chronicled his and the band's astonishing career. As a solo artist and in the acoustic field Kim has released three CDs - Savoy Brown's 1986 Slow Train, his own 1997 Solitaire, and the 2001 release Blues Like Midnight. Born in Wales in 1947 and playing the pubs of London with Savoy Brown at the very tender age of 18, Kim Simmonds recorded albums that helped start the 60s blues boom. While others have strayed from their roots, Simmonds has stayed the course .... a true journeyman and road warrior, who's comfortably settled into an elder statesman role at the same time as burning up the fretboard on the concert stage while remaining at the top of his game. © The British Blues All Stars 2004, www.thebritishbluesallstars.co.uk/kim_simmonds.htm