Savoy Brown Looking In

Savoy Brown's blues-rock sound takes on a much more defined feel on 1970's 'Looking In' and is one of this band's best efforts. Kim Simmonds is utterly bewildering on guitar, while Lonesome Dave Peverett does a fine job taking over lead singing duties from Chris Youlden who left halfway through the year. But it's the captivating arrangements and alluring ease of the music that makes this a superb listen. The pleading strain transformed through Simmonds' guitar on 'Money Can't Save Your Soul' is mud-thick with raw blues, and the comfort of 'Sunday Night' is extremely smooth and laid back. 'Take It Easy' sounds like it could have been a B.B. King tune as it's doused with relaxed guitar fingering. The entire album is saturated with a simple, British blues sound but the pace and the marbled strands of bubbly instrumental perkiness fill it with life. Even the Yardbirds-flavored 'Leaving Again' is appealing with its naïve hooks, capped off with a heart-stopping guitar solo. This album, along with 'Street Corner Talking' best exemplifies Savoy Brown's tranquilizing style.