KIM SIMMONDS
''STRUCK BY LIGHTNING''
MAY 4 2004
45:06
1/Struck by Lightning
Kim Simmonds/3:36
2/Last Train Has Gone
Kim Simmonds/5:45
3/The Truth Comes Out
Kim Simmonds/3:21
4/Ain't No Free
Terry Adams/4:34
5/Road Tramp Blues/3:34
6/So Glad You're Mine
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup/4:19
7/My Home Is a Highway
Kim Simmonds/5:04
8/Like an Angel
Kim Simmonds/3:20
9/Don't Know Who to Talk to Anymore
Kim Simmonds/3:08
10/Living in New York
Kim Simmonds/3:07
11/Talking 'Bout New Orleans
Kim Simmonds/2:48
12/Struck by Lightning Reprise
Kim Simmonds/2:30
Dennis Cotton /Drums, Percussion
Pat DeSalvo /Bass (Acoustic)
Mark Nanni /Piano
Kim Simmonds /Guitar, Producer, Vocals
REVIEW
by Hal Horowitz
Kim Simmonds' outlet for his electric blues-rock remains the on-again off-again Savoy Brown. Therefore he uses his solo albums, of which this is the third, to elaborate on the acoustic Delta blues generally ignored by his full-time outfit. Unlike Eric Clapton, who has consistently returned to this unplugged music throughout his career, Simmonds seems driven to explore his acoustic blues roots only since 1997. Simmonds uses this outlet to play predominantly self-penned material, with a few obscure covers thrown in. Accompanied by subtle piano, bass, and drums, the guitarist/vocalist commands center stage with his dusky yet emotional, talk-sung vocals, somewhat like J.J. Cale. Simmonds' guitar work is consistently classy, substituting the flash and boogie impulses of his extensive work as leader of Savoy Brown with a more thoughtful, measured playing that perfectly fits these terrific folk-blues tunes. While the lyrics and subject matter aren't particularly revelatory, songs such as "My Home Is a Highway," "Like an Angel" (the requisite love song to his wife), and the title track (also repeated in its rawer demo version) sound like authentic Delta blues tracks from decades ago, even though they are newly written originals. Along with covers of Peetie Wheatstraw, Arthur Crudup, and most interestingly NRBQ's Terry Adams, the album is another successful, surprisingly low-key, and consistently earnest effort that should please those blues fans who feel Simmonds' tougher approach with Savoy Brown compromised his music with excess volume.
''STRUCK BY LIGHTNING''
MAY 4 2004
45:06
1/Struck by Lightning
Kim Simmonds/3:36
2/Last Train Has Gone
Kim Simmonds/5:45
3/The Truth Comes Out
Kim Simmonds/3:21
4/Ain't No Free
Terry Adams/4:34
5/Road Tramp Blues/3:34
6/So Glad You're Mine
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup/4:19
7/My Home Is a Highway
Kim Simmonds/5:04
8/Like an Angel
Kim Simmonds/3:20
9/Don't Know Who to Talk to Anymore
Kim Simmonds/3:08
10/Living in New York
Kim Simmonds/3:07
11/Talking 'Bout New Orleans
Kim Simmonds/2:48
12/Struck by Lightning Reprise
Kim Simmonds/2:30
Dennis Cotton /Drums, Percussion
Pat DeSalvo /Bass (Acoustic)
Mark Nanni /Piano
Kim Simmonds /Guitar, Producer, Vocals
REVIEW
by Hal Horowitz
Kim Simmonds' outlet for his electric blues-rock remains the on-again off-again Savoy Brown. Therefore he uses his solo albums, of which this is the third, to elaborate on the acoustic Delta blues generally ignored by his full-time outfit. Unlike Eric Clapton, who has consistently returned to this unplugged music throughout his career, Simmonds seems driven to explore his acoustic blues roots only since 1997. Simmonds uses this outlet to play predominantly self-penned material, with a few obscure covers thrown in. Accompanied by subtle piano, bass, and drums, the guitarist/vocalist commands center stage with his dusky yet emotional, talk-sung vocals, somewhat like J.J. Cale. Simmonds' guitar work is consistently classy, substituting the flash and boogie impulses of his extensive work as leader of Savoy Brown with a more thoughtful, measured playing that perfectly fits these terrific folk-blues tunes. While the lyrics and subject matter aren't particularly revelatory, songs such as "My Home Is a Highway," "Like an Angel" (the requisite love song to his wife), and the title track (also repeated in its rawer demo version) sound like authentic Delta blues tracks from decades ago, even though they are newly written originals. Along with covers of Peetie Wheatstraw, Arthur Crudup, and most interestingly NRBQ's Terry Adams, the album is another successful, surprisingly low-key, and consistently earnest effort that should please those blues fans who feel Simmonds' tougher approach with Savoy Brown compromised his music with excess volume.
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