Artist: Chris Youlden & The Slammers
Album: Closing Time
Label: The Last Music Co.
Release Date: 10.26.2018
Let’s start out with this: I consider Chris Youlden to be the finest blues singer to come out of the UK. I had the opportunity to work and see Chris in his finest hours. Youlden fronted Savoy Brown for four albums: Getting to the Point, Blue Matter, A Step Further, and Raw Sienna—considered their best—and followed them up with two fine solo albums, Nowhere Road and City Child.
Closing Time starts with a bang, with a version of “Sugacoated Love.” Youlden brings you back to the day on this song. The album contains covers of some classic rhythm and blues tunes. I love the album through and through, especially “Come On,” “Roll With Me Baby” and “Sweet Love On My Mind.” The bonus tracks from the 1991 sessions include a Chris Youlden-written song “I Wanna Stay Alive,” and this was a treat, too. Youlden was a great songwriter as well as a great interpreter of others’ work, and The Slammers did a great job backing.
I love the packaging: the front cover captures Youlden, and the booklet gives great information on the project. Personally, I’m glad to see this album is available on vinyl, especially since it was an analogue recording. Closing Time is something that any blues fan or Savoy Brown fan should own. One of the finest blues singers on the planet, Youlden is not to be overlooked, and has done his part in saving American music.
—Arnie Goodman
I agree with you totally about him.
I only saw him with Savoy Brown once at The Fillmore East.
If I remember correctly they opened for Canned Heat.
It was the Saturday Night Late Show.
We had first row.
A great night for the blues.
I had the pleasure of working with and recording with Chris Youlden in 1979 and also recording an unreleased song of his with Joe Louis Walker on my cd “indescribably Blue.The best blues singer,ever
Would love to know more about this album. Agreed, Youlden is perhaps the finest British blues vocalist ever, and a solid, underrated songwriter as well. He sings like he’s buried to his neck in Mississippi mud. My impression is that Youlden has steadfastly remained true to pure blues, despite all trends, and that’s possibly why he’s not better known. Thanks, Chris.
Saw Chris with Savoy Brown in 1968 as a sixteen year old. College circuit in the UK. (Cost 6 shillings old money to see them !)They were brilliant. Packed club great atmosphere. Major Influence on my music taste. Still have the original vinyl discs and still listen on the iPod. As mentioned his solo albums are excellent. Recommend listening to Blue Matter and Raw Sienna especially.
I think Chris is the best blues singer I’ve ever heard and he has been my favourite singer since seeing him with Savoy Brown. His written so very many great numbers- he should be famous in a far bigger way… Love the man…