Blues Like Midnight

The world's greatest guitarists seem to have a knack at mastering the element of surprise over the course of their careers, keeping their contributions vital, their craft interesting and their listeners thrilled second-guessing their next move. So it is interesting to observe this stalwart of English blues and boogie usher forth this organically tasteful set of original acoustic blues. In realising Savoy Brown's earliest recordings ('68s Shake Down) were heavily influenced by Lightning Hopkins and Muddy Waters, before detouring down a more blues rock road, it is not a huge jump to see Simmonds return to the music that originally inspired him. Blues Like Midnight is powerful music that is honest, emotional and, reduced to its purest form, underlines Simmonds's uniquely fluid playing style. From the infectious slide of "Tell The World," which hints at Simmonds's improvisational prowess, to the breathtaking title track, which makes the most of his enviable finger-picking style and highly convincing vocals, Blues Like Midnight provides the outlet that Simmonds has no doubt been craving for some time. And, some 20 releases and 35 years of touring later, Kim Simmonds proves that he is Savoy Brown and, whether the music is turned up or down, he still has something valid to say.