Robby Krieger’s Soul Savages—Old-School Rock, By and For Old Souls: Review
by Tom Wilmeth
This is music for old souls, for those who remember when rock musicians played real instruments. When players recorded their parts at the same time in one room. When a band’s material could be recreated in a club. When listeners tested the limits of large speakers because of a need to hear things LOUD! This music is also made by old souls. This group’s most recognizable name is Robby Krieger, the Doors’ guitarist. Having such a heralded background gives Krieger the music license to do as he pleases, and he has chosen to put together a quartet of equal parts: the Soul Savages. While Krieger’s Gibson is prominent on these 10 tracks, the set never comes across like a guitarist with a backing trio. This sounds like a working band!
“Shark Skin Suit” is the first number and, with its opening cascade of notes from Ed Roth’s Hammond B3, the template is set. Kevin “Brandino” Brandon’s electric bass drops in next. Krieger soon makes his entrance, playing a muscular, slightly distorted guitar line. The grit of Krieger’s Gibson is punctuated by the drums of Franklin Vanderbilt.
Robby Krieger (Photo from his website)
Krieger shares solo space and musical interplay with the other lead instrumentalist, Roth. In addition to the Hammond, Roth plays the Wurlitzer electric piano, a Fender Rhodes and an acoustic piano. Old school stuff. Synthesizers are heard at times, but the emphasis is on these older keyboards, often sounding like welcome friends returning from a distant era. The audio itself is outstanding, and the mix is great.
Roth plays old-school keys, and Brandino’s use of a traditional four-string electric bass fits well here. The Grammy-winning Brandino sometimes plays a six- and even a seven-string bass, but here he successfully delivers what is needed on these tunes with his four-string.
Related: When the Doors defied Ed Sullivan
This music doesn’t try to hide its lineage—the CD liner notes even name check the Ohio Players. Other influences surface on the shifting tempos of “Math Problem,” which is reminiscent of the groove on Stevie Wonder’s “Contusion.” Maybe this shouldn’t be a surprise since drummer Vanderbilt worked with Wonder in 2005. Echoes of Steely Dan’s more inventive instrumental breaks can also be heard on this Soul Savages set.
There are old-school elements in this music, but it’s not a nostalgia trip. Krieger seems to have long ago become comfortable with his Doors legacy. He is not trying to relive that past achievement here. These are new tunes, and Krieger’s guitar work rarely elicits memories of his former band. One example of this is “Samosas & Kingfishers,” a number based on a Ravi Shankar piece featuring Krieger on electric sitar.
If there were any doubts about Robby Krieger’s musical development, they are dispelled in the credits section of the CD’s accompanying booklet. In it he thanks a variety of people for teaching him that “there are other types of music that are just as fun to play as rock and roll.” As one of Krieger’s guitar colleagues once sang, “Keep on Growing”!
Listen to “A Day in L.A.” from the Soul Savages’ album
The booklet also has a photograph of a set list. It’s partially obscured, but some things are clear. First, these guys can read music—a shout-out to diminished scales and suspended chords! The songs played at this gig are also intriguing. There are several numbers from their new album, but also listed are Jeff Beck’s “Freeway Jam,” on which this band must kill, and “Little Red Rooster,” an old blues tune recorded by the Rolling Stones in 1964. This title is especially intriguing since Krieger undoubtedly plays slide guitar on it. Maybe the Soul Savages can follow this current studio release with a live set. The sooner the better!
Listen to “Shark Skin Suit,” the opening track from the album
The album, released on Jan. 19, 2024, is available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.
Tom Wilmeth lives in Grafton, Wisconsin—former home of the Paramount Records lab.
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationNot only did the Rolling Stones record Little Red Rooster….. the Doors also recorded a live 7-minute version with John Sebestian on harmonica!