Live and in the studio in the 80s.
bruceski | FLA United States | 04/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This release is actually a repackaging of two 1980s Savoy Brown (1980s Rock-n-Roll Warriors and 1981s Greatest Hits Live)albums that were released on the Townhouse label.
The first of these (Rock and Roll Warriors) is actually the 2nd disc on this double cd. This album was an attempt to update the sound of Savoy Brown and included Ralph Morman (who's other claim to fame is being the vocalist on at least one of the Joe Perry Project albums)on vocals. As another reviewer (check out the reviews for Bottom Line Live, which is mostly live versions of Rock and Roll Warriors songs)points out, at this time Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown were trying to combine their old sound of blues, and boogie, with 80s metal and it wound up sounding like "blootal." In other words it just didn't completely click. It isn't terrible, it just isn't what Savoy Brown fans want to hear.
The best song on this disc is probably the ballad "Lie Back in the Arms of Someone." It sort of sounds like an outtake from Rod Stewart's Tonights the Night. Also included on the second disc, as a bonus track, is "Run to Me" which was originally included on Greatest Hits Live. I like this, although most people probably won't because, believe it or not, its a Bee Gees song (before they went disco-you have to hear it).
The first disc on this set is actually 1981s Greatest Hits Live. This is the reason to buy this cd. It features the same band as Rock-n-Roll Warriors, but playing the best of Savoy Brown's rather large catalogue. Songs include, Tell Mama, Train to Nowhere, Street Corner Talking, Hellbound Train, I'm Tired, All I Can Do, etc. The band abandons the blootal style and sticks pretty close to the original arrangements.
Ralph Morman is more of a rocker than blues-man, but he is mostly able to compliment the material. Kim Simmonds and the rest of the band are in fine form, and turn it good performances of classic Savoy Brown material. This italian import has double foldouts and reproduces the inside cover of Greatest Hits Live. This is nice, but it makes it a little larger than jewel cases. It is a little pricey, but it is the only way to obtain Greatest Hits Live."
Raw Blues
leatherqueen | Chicago ( U S A ) | 11/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A taste of Savoy Brown gone Italian style here (MaMa Mia)
this compilation is a take of to a 1981 Savoy Brown's Greatest Hits lp. Which featured The Rock N Roll warriors lineup.
a nicely packaged cd that sounds great and is really well put together. now we all know that the italians make great stuff, from food to clothing etc... But the sounds here are fronted by that brilliant british lad a dear friend to me Kim Simmonds & Mates,and that great Bostonian Ralph Morman.great work here. A double cd set with disc one being recorded at what was then the Rainbow Music Hall in Denver Colorado 1981. The Rainbow Music Hall is no longer in existance so that is alone History upon History.
Excellent cd ***** five big Platinum ones here"
Complete And Unabridged & Most Definitely Raw!!!
chris meesey Food Czar | The Colony, TX United States | 03/15/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Savoy Brown's Raw Live 'N Blue double disc Italian set is by far the best presentation offered of the 1980 release Rock 'N Roll Warriors (aka: SB in their brief incarnation as an Eighties hairband), coupled with a dozen or so live cuts from a Denver concert in 1981, Greatest Hits Live, featuring the same lineup. Sure, you can get Rock 'N Warriors as a standalone album or with three bonus Greatest Hits Live cuts, (and yes, I tried purchasing these other sets first; after all, I'm a Budget Minded Consumer!) but the complete set puts the other two to shame. How?? In a word: BOOGIE! That's right, folks, BOOGIE!! BOOGIE, BOOGIE, BOOGIE!!! Almost two hours worth of solid, nonstop, in yer face, speed metal on overdrive, Boogie!! SB guru Kim Simmonds has been exploring his blues roots of late, with that stellar 2003 release Strange Dreams, and most fans approve, but there is a distinct, disgruntled minority of party animals who even to this day is wailing: Where's The Boogie??? Well, fans, here it is. Only two ballads in the whole set, and both are excellent, including a fabulous bonus version of the Bee Gees (yes, I said BEE GEES) 1972 classic Run To Me. This power ballad should have been a major hit, as singer Ralph Mormon delivers one of his finest wailing performances here. Standouts of the live cuts are too numerous to mention: I'M Tired, Street Corner Talkin', Can't Get Next To You, Needle and Spoon, and a glorious ten minute workout of Hellbound Train, featuring John Humphrey, a bassist so good that Kim gives him a lengthy solo spot. The only real downside is the twelve minute jam version of Tell Mama (similar to the version on the CD Bottom Line Encore Collection Live, made with the same lineup); this was made during an era where long encore jams were the norm and I, for one, prefer for SB to just play the song, throw in a couple of solos, and call it a night. In short, this is one wonderful, most definitely raw package that you will want to obtain, particularly if you love great boogie!! Rock on, SB!!!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1