Street Corner Talking

by

Savoy Brown

Edit

At the end of 1970, Kim Simmonds found himself deserted by the other members of Savoy Brown, the band he had founded and nutured through five albums. Starting from scratch, he recruited a crackerjack new band, featuring ex-Idle Race vocalist Dave Walker and super keyboardist Paul Raymond to reinvent the band. Four twelve-hour marathon sessions produced Street Corner Talking, the last of SB's major classics. "Tell Mama" is the rare (for Savoy Brown) hit that opens the session, a great rocker. One of SB's most underrated songs, "Let It Rock" features Kim and Dave (or is it Paul?) singing their hearts out in an ode to the music's glory days. "I Can't Get Next To You" is a cover of the Temptations classic, lowdown and funky at half speed. Then, "Time Does Tell" features Dave at his most soulful and philosophical. "Street Corner Talking" combines great lyrics and a hypnotic, insistent riff by Kim that stays in the mind long after the song is completed. "All I Can Do Is Cry" has been a concert staple for years and features great guitar/keyboard interplay between Kim and Paul. It's a long classic in the mode of "Leaving Again" from Looking In. Finally, "Wang Dang Doodle" is SB's best blues cover ever, as Dave Walker growls the Willie Dixon tune with authority. As a bonus, the single version of "Tell Mama" closes the set. In short, Savoy Brown's best party album and one that is sure to start everyone talking at your next gathering.