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Song

Savoir Faire

Artist

Black Eyed Sons feat. Alan Clayton and Steve Conte

Black Eyed Sons backstory

Risen from the ashes of The Quireboys’ high profile split, rock and roll survivors Black Eyed Sons burst onto the scene towards the end of 2024.

A critically acclaimed headline show at London’s Lexington 12 months ago teased debut album Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits.

And that star-studded collection of fashionably cool collaborations was quick to rocket to the top of the UK Blues chart.

Quireboys/Down N Outz alumni Guy Griffin, Paul Guerin and Keith Weir were joined by the Mailing brothers as Black Eyed Sons revisited a golden era of transatlantic songwriting.

High profile pals joining the project included Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr, White Lion’s Mike Tramp and Alice Cooper’s Ryan Roxie.

And earlier this year a reworked version of album track Dig Me Out Of This Hole breathed new life into Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits as Angry Anderson joined the party.

In frontman Guy Griffin’s own words

“For Savoir Faire we wanted a live performance video but also a rough storyline rooted in the New York rock ’n’ roll scene of the mid-seventies.

“That era was incredible, and so many of those NY bands, including Mink DeVille, were a huge influence on me.

“Alan [Clayton] and I are both big fans and it was fantastic to have Steve Conte involved too as he actually played in Willy DeVille’s band.”

The verdict on Savoir Faire

If one song sums up the vibe and flair underpinning January’s Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits, it’s Mink Deville’s sassy 1981 hit Savoir Faire.

The evergreen Alan Clayton pitches in to complement a vocal perfectly suited to Guy Griffin’s 70s-soaked tone.

And before you know it those crazy Black Eyed Sons have whipped up a Big Apple-styled rock and roll party.

That the video clip flits between live band footage and a compelling NYC narrative works a treat — a deliberate ploy roots Griffin and co. firmly in the past.

But it’s the Sons’ ability to breathe new life into a bona fide rock and roll classic that serves as a timely reminder that this is a band focused firmly on the future.

Award-winning keysman Weir adds a wonderful touch to a classy cover while the twin axe attack of Guerin and Conte kicks considerable ass.

Faire play. The Sons just keep on shining.

What’s next for Black Eyed Sons

The Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits tour kicks off in Bradford on December 12.

Griffin and co. check into Newcastle, Llandudno and London before Christmas.