Savannah Woman
Tommy Bolin
Tommy Bolin
Label: Sony
Released: 1975
Tommy Bolin usually plays with a raw level of excitement that sets his music on fire, however, this particular cut is one of his more mellow tracks. “Savannah Woman” features Bolin on guitar, Prairie Prince (Tubes) on drums, Phil Collins on percussion, and Paul Stallworth on bass. A short but sweet tune flavored with a tasty guitar solo courtesy of Mr. Bolin.
—Greg Stevens
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November 18th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Knew the name but hadn’t heard the music. Thanks for the intro. I’ll look for this on my next record shopping trip. Another sad answer to the “better to burn out than fade away” philosophy.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Sounds like one part “Black Magic Woman”, one part “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” and trying desperately to hide it.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:09 am
One of the most unknown guitar players in Rock History…and a Damn Fine one at that. Thanks for this one…as the days pass, it’s getting harder and harder to keep my approximately 10% owned off the archived playlist here (so much music in the world to choose from…), but this album I own, and it’s a good one throughout! This guy played with Deep Purple and the James Gang too…
November 18th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Anyone interested in rock guitar would do well to have something from every point of Tommy’s career; from Zephyr to Private Eyes.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Under rated guitarist, who got a bad rap by replacing Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple, and Joe Walsh in James Gang. His solo stuff is great, and also played on the first Moxy Album, back in 1975.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I met Tommy and saw his show at My Fathers Place , 1976 Roslyn NY . He was GREAT !!!! So SAD he is Gone .
November 18th, 2009 at 11:20 am
TEASER: (the album Savannah Woman was extracted from) is a masterwork Guitar School touchstone. Cruncy Ballsy Riffing throughout. Signature textural licks abound, idiosyncratic slide work, Echoplex “Ray-Gun” totally unique EFX. Underrated evocative moody vocals. Cross-genre appeal - - Heavy Metal, Fusion, Moody Ballads makes for good listening but confusing to market back in mid-70’s. This was in the marketplace in 1975 alongside Deep Purple’s Come Taste the Band which featured Tommy. Check out Bolin’s great fusion chops which inspired Jeff Beck & Mahavishnu Orchestra on Billy Cobham’s Album called Spectrum. This great player died @ age 25, way too early. Love Ya Tommy Miss Ya Man!
November 18th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Tommy was a real prodigy, too bad he couldn’t get a handle on the partying. We played the hell out of Private Eyes when it came out in 76… Sorry to say, I missed him live.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Poor dead Tommy Bolin. So talented. Amen Ziggy — check out Spectrum! I don’t usually go for shredder guitar players or even jazz fusion but Spectrum’s really jaw-dropping.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Tommy Bolin has a nice sound,my foot would’nt stop tapping.Thank’s, nice song.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I wouldn’t refer to him as underrated as Mark did but certainly underappreciated. That show Nancy mentions at My Father’s Place in 1976 was considered a really grat performance by his ensemble and included Mark Stein on keyboards (Vanilla Fudge) and the great Narada Michael Walden on drums. He would have gone on to so many more great things-so sad.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Tommy Bolin…….Hum…….Ah yes ! Deep Purple ! a good guitaristnot as good as Ritchie but good !
November 18th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I’ve been a Tommy Bolin fan for years, not sure if I’ve ever heard this version before. This is definitely not the track from Teaser. If you like this even a little, check out Teaser and Deep Purple “Come Taste the Band’.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
The riff from “Song for My Father” is unmistakable…Not a bad track, not a great one…interesting enough. Living close to Savannah, GA, this is a song I hear a couple of times a year on one of the local radio stations that is the last bastion of “real” radio. No corporate “Classic Rock” on WRHQ…five jocks that grew up on a variety of music and still play a variety.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I’m in the same sitch as Robbie — have heard his name over the years, but never listened to his stuff. Certainly had the chops and nice, crisp sound. Almost as interesting to me is the cast of characters playing on this song — Prairie Prince is still around (and recently did a great job with old Utopia bandmate Todd Rundgren on Todd’s excellent “Arena” tour) and as a Genesis fan, it’s always cool to hear Phil Collins’ work. Didn’t know Phil guested on this one.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Not really the track I’d pick to showcase Bolin, but it isn’t really like he has a bad one!
And another affirmation for Spectrum. Brilliance.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I’ve enjoyed Tommy’s music for years and still remember where I was when I heard he’d passed away in 1976. I agree with Coldshot, this doesn’t exactly sound like the track from Teaser, but I don’t care. I also really like “Alexis” from his period with the James Gang and “Gypsy Soul,” both of which are somewhat similar to “Savannah Woman.” I’m frequently disappointed when I scan the lists of Best Rock Guitarists and rarely see Tommy’s name.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Yes, this is somewhat misleading in that it is a ‘demo’ version from “Snapshot”, one of many recent releases put out - check out the Tommy Bolin Archives at http://www.tbolin.com for many many KILLER studio demo and live releases that his family has authorized. I particularly recommend “Tommy Bolin & Friends Live at Ebbets Field June 3 & 4, 1974″… recorded in between his James Gang & Purple stints - SMOKIN’! Thanks DFD for recognizing Tommy Bolin!
November 18th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Do you hear the Horace Silver “Song For My Father” (a/k/a Steely Dan’s “Rickki Don’t Lose That Number) piano riff in the intro? I do.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Tommy also appeared on an lp by Alphonse Mouzon.
I also always think of Billy Cobham’s Spectrum album - that is a real mindblower.
Prairie Prince is still on the road with Todd R, & they’ll be playing A Wizard, A True Star live in the coming weeks. Can’t wait! Go to http://www.trconnection.com for details.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
An amazing guitarist, burned out a copy of private eyes from play. Say what you like I enjoyed his stints with both the James gang (listen to Standing in the rain or must be love) and Deep purple. For you harder rock guys Post Tostee from private eyes is a must. How about that track DFD??? Any way you like him, Tommy was great in the short time he was with us.
November 19th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Thanks DFD. beautiful
November 19th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I have this album! My grandmother gave it too me. It came in a box of stuff she got at an auction back in about 1982. I always figured this wasn’t one of his best albums.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
damn sexy
November 19th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
It’s good news that Tommy Bolin is still remembered. Surprised me. Thanks DFD. Tommy Bolin crammed a lot of killer work in his short 25 years. Check out his Stratocaster in Alphonse Mouzon’s Mind Transplant. 2 tracks that I have on my ipod Gettin’ Tighter from Deep Purple’s Come Taste The Band (the rocker with the jazz bridge) and Quadrant 4 from Billy Cobham’s Spectrum. Both tracks are a showcase for his talent with Quadrant 4 being the standout performance between his guitar and Cobham’s drums. Nothing else sounds like it. An assault on the senses! Definitely a Damn Fine Day Song (already on the Rhino label). Hint, hint.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
One of the most underrated guitarists from the 70’s. I first heard him on the Zeyphr album, but I really liked the work he did on Come Taste the Band (Deep Purple). Thanks DFD for not forgetting.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Now you have a taste of Tommy ,do yourself a favor for more of his magic
November 20th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Just like several others here, I’ve heard of and seen TB but never listened to him. This certainly has me curious in listening to more…gotta search out Cobham’s Spectrum and Private Eyes disc.
Thanks DFD for another eye opener!
November 22nd, 2009 at 5:14 am
Bought the album when it came out. Haven’t played it in years. It’s coming off the shelf today! Thanks DFD!