CD Review: "Robin Trower - At the BBC 1973 -1975" - [2 CD Set] - Release Date: 7 February 2011


This 'Double CD' collection contains most of Robin Trower's BBC sessions from 1973-1975 recorded for John Peel, Bob Harris, and the 'BBC In Concert' series. The tracks highlight the genesis of a group destined to create memorable music both in the studio and in live performance. Illustrious music destined to help mark out the lives of people fortunate to hear it. In fact, it has become an essential part of some of the lives of Robin's fans throughout the world.

The recordings emphasize the importance of having outstanding songs: a 'collective gift' to built on their foundation with sensitive, soulful singing; melodic, emotional guitar playing; and excellent, illuminating, drumming to produce music of power, soul and passion that words alone fail to portray. The music, itself, engenders a mixture of feeling and recall - not unlike poetry - where each melody is remembered by those who love them.

The BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert  CD released by Windsong International in 1992 was a disappointment due to falsified crowd noise and the absence of "Two Rolling Stoned" which was included in the original broadcast. The inclusion, however, of a full version of "Rock Me Baby" made purchase of the CD irresistible. I'm fortunate my brother taped the original broadcast of the radio. It remains one of my favourite recordings of the Robin Trower Band in concert. A true classic.

The collection is a must for any fan of Robin Trower, Jimmy Dewar, Reg Isidore, Bill Lordan, or any affectionate of classic rock and blues at its finest: soulful, passionate, emotional, sincere, moving.  Robin Trower remains one of the greatest exponents of blues and rock guitar on this planet. Jimmy Dewar was an outstanding vocalist both in the studio and live. All the tracks are testament to Jimmy's beautiful, soulful voice, and Robin's fluid, melodic, dreamy guitar playing. 

I believe the overdubbing of guitars on the John Peel Sessions, especially on "In This Place" (CD1) and the four songs on (CD2), was unnecessary given the profound depth and emotion each song already embodies. It would have been magical to hear "In This Place" played live without guitar overdubs.

Bugbears: Did anyone proofread the CD liner notes? The misspelling of 'Alethea' and other typos' ... It's not too much to ask, is it? The absence of a photograph of the late Reg Isadore - a genuine oversight, or not - is shameful.

The music still sounds haunting, magnificent, with a magic heart at its core. Enjoy.

CD1

1. Twice Removed From Yesterday (John Peel Session)
2. Man Of The World (John Peel Session)
3. Daydream (John Peel Session)
4. Sinner's Song (John Peel Session)
5. Day Of The Eagle (Bob Harris Session)
6. Little Bit Of Sympathy (Bob Harris Session)
7. Lady Love (Bob Harris Session)
8. Daydream (Bob Harris Session)
9. The Fool And Me (Bob Harris Session)
10. Alethea (Bob Harris Session)
11. Too Rolling Stoned (Bob Harris Session)
12. I Can't Wait Much Longer (Bob Harris Session)
13. Bridge Of Sighs (John Peel Session)
14. In This Place (John Peel Session)
15. Alethea (John Peel Session)
16. Little Bit Of Sympathy (John Peel Session)

CD2

1. Fine Day (John Peel Session)
2. Confessing Midnight (John Peel Session)
3. It's Only Money (John Peel Session)
4. Gonna Be More Suspicious (John Peel Session)
5. Day Of The Eagle (BBC In Concert)
6. Bridge Of Sighs (BBC In Concert)
7. Gonna Be More Suspicious (BBC In Concert)
8. Fine Day (BBC In Concert)
9. Lady Love (BBC In Concert)
10. Daydream (BBC In Concert)
11. Too Rolling Stoned (BBC In Concert)
12. I Can't Wait Much Longer (BBC In Concert)
13. Alethea (BBC In Concert)
14. A Little Bit Of Sympathy (BBC In Concert)

Album and MP3s of songs available at Amazon

Future Rock Legends - Vote to get Robin Trower into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

After playing with The Paramounts and Procol Harum in the ‘60s and early ‘70s Robin Trower recorded his seminal album "Twice Removed From Yesterday" in 1972. The subsequent tour in 1973 highlighted how far Robin had progressed as a guitarist, performer and songwriter. His second album, “Bridge of Sighs”, was certified gold without promotion of a single release. Future albums, and regular touring, continued to emphasize Robin’s guitar playing prowess.

Undoubtedly Robin is endowed with talents that include being a truly creative guitarist with a distinctive sound, and inspired song writing ability. Robin is one of the top guitar players of all time; up there with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Rory Gallagher, and Peter Green [et al].

He possesses a rare power and spirit that has not been diminished by his long musical career. His music and playing continues to have an indefinable purity – blending blues, soul, funk, R&B, jazz, etc., with a passion and fire other musicians only possess in their dreams.

Recent tours and albums have proved highly successful in the UK, Europe and US, and Robin continues to ply his art with genuine feeling. I consider Robin to be one of the finest musician's to originate from England, and he is one of the few to make a big impact in the US. Some talented musicians grow into maturity and then decline swiftly or slowly. Robin isn’t one of those – he continues to mature musically, play with creativity and passion, and is an inspiration to musicians , fans and music lovers alike.

I believe Robin, on merit, deserves to be inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Please cast your vote for Robin using the link below:

 VOTE FOR ROBIN TROWER

Thanks for voting!

Concert Review: Robin Trower - The Brook, Southampton - 28 May 2008

 

Sentimentality, or nostalgia, does not bring me back to listen to Robin Trower’s music or to witness his ‘live’ performances – it is his art, humility - and, above all, it is one of the joys in life. My brother, John, and I flew in from Belfast on the day of the concert.

The Brook is a great venue to see and hear a band.Tonight it was evident the sound system and stage monitors were operating at optimum level; the vocals and individual instruments were well balanced (Laurie Brace at the sound desk deserves praise). The venue was filled to capacity and tonight there was a wealth of smiles, shaking heads and clapping hands - and that was before the music started – must be the water in Portswood!

Robin's playing and soloing, the band - Pete, Glenn and Davey - the fans, the venue, and staff all contributed to one of the best concerts I've attended. After the Paris gig I thought the dizzy heights the band reached that night would not be attained again on this tour – I was, thankfully, mistaken. The RTB were given a great, warm welcome when they arrived on stage, and from the sound of Twice Removed From Yesterday you knew it was going to be an exceptional night. The whole band seemed to be in great spirits; each number in the set was played with enthusiasm and zest.

Robin played like only a virtuoso can, accompanied by an excellent band that generated warmth and intensity. I believe when Huddie William Leadbetter “Leadbelly” said “No white man ever had the blues” he was mistaken. Robin is a blues guitarist of the highest calibre, capable of creating music that touches your soul - most fans tonight, I’m sure, felt totally connected to the music. Performances this magical never leave the memory. Pete and Glenn provided a superb rhythm section for Robin to fly above with his solos. Tonight Davey’s vocals could be heard clearly and were great on Shame the Devil, Day of the Eagle, No Time and For Earth Below. Robin seems to be playing with greater zeal during the solos on this tour – how he achieves it at 63 is beyond me? – long may it continue.

The vibe and soloing during The Fool And Me, No Time and Rise Up Like The Sun was exceptional. A welcoming cheer and clapping always accompanies the trill at the beginning of Bridge of Sighs – tonight it is a roar. The band and the crowd are as one. Robin’s playing is so spontaneous; he just feels the vibe and goes with it. During the solo he indicated to the band to take it up a notch and he began to make his guitar wail for a few minutes gradually falling to a whisper - enthralling.

While it’s great to listen to the studio version, or one of the numerous recorded live versions, nothing beats hearing this song played live when you are there. I believe it only truly exists each time Robin plays it – when the sound is hitting you from the stage, and Robin is completely lost in his art. To me great music and guitar playing – as evidenced tonight - provides release from conscious thought, engenders tranquility, and has a wonderful therapeutic value.

Thanks to Robin, Pete, Davey and Glenn for a truly riveting concert. Also, thanks for enhancing the evening after the performance by your friendliness. It was the icing on the cake. Also, Laurie for being Laurie. Some great photographs and memories. It was great to meet up with Angie again – hope you enjoyed the Guinness? Also, Alan Howard, Jim Pearce and John Waters.

Thanks also to Dylan Clarke, Manager at The Brook,whose kindness and co-operation helped to make the concert special for my brother, John, and I. It’s a great venue with great staff and facilities. Just wish it wasn’t so far away. It will be hard to beat tonight’s concert, atmospheric crowd and venue.

Setlist: Twice Removed From Yesterday, Shame The Devil, For Earth Below, No Time, The Fool And Me, Roads To Freedom, Islands, Day Of The Eagle, Bridge Of Sighs, Rise Up Like The Sun, Victims Of The Fury, Gonna Be More Suspicious, Hannah, Little Bit Of Sympathy, , Too Rolling Stoned,Go My Way Another Time Another Place,

Concert Review: Robin Trower - Astoria 2, London - 23 May 2008

The musical legacy of Robin Trower is equal to that of his musical contemporaries in the so-called “upper echelons” of blues and rock. Yet, I feel it has never been fully absorbed by the wider musical public for various reasons, which include, lazy musical journalism.

Time Out - London has the gig listed as 'Former Procol Harum guitarist headlines with his Hendrix-esque power trio.' See what I’m getting at? I believe Robin still possesses the creativity to create further great musical works, unlike some musical journalist’s whose mediocrity damns them to be forever a critic, never an artist.

After the mid -‘70s Robin’s earlier success in the UK seemed to take one step forward and two steps back – does anyone know the full story except Robin, and his manager(s)? – nevertheless, the music press continued to write album reviews and articles about Robin, but appeared to fail to hear or listen to the music. A primary requirement some musical journalist’s disregarded in their search for new [sic] talent to help sell their tired, once bona fide magazines.

There will always be musician’s who seek out and listen to those who make the most money based on imitation and copy it. Such musical careers are usually short-lived, as are those of the chroniclers’. Counterfeit music and playing, like counterfeit goods, are eventually exposed for what they are by the naked eye and ears.

Robin has been endowed with certain talents which happen to include being a truly creative guitarist and great songwriter. Just don’t expect the UK media to write or talk about Robin’s guitar virtuosity and the substantial catalogue of music he has compiled.I attended the gig tonight with my wife, Sylvia, and friend Bobby. It was dark and packed; the venue has a reasonable sound system and it’s a good place to see a band. Sylvia and I stood at the front and it was nearly impossible to move – Bobby made his way to the balcony where the vocals were clearer in the mix.


The set list was the same as the US tour and right from the opening of Twice Removed From Yesterday Robin, backed by Pete Thompson (drums), Davey Pattison (vocals) and Glenn Letsch (bass), played music that was beautiful, creative and, at times, breathtaking. It was difficult at times to hear Davey’s voice except on the slow songs but he sung his lungs out – I know, they landed on my head!

Robin’s guitar tone and playing tonight were sheer poetry - when he was really soaring you felt he was bearing his soul. Pete and Glenn provided a rock-solid rhythm section which give Robin space to ply his art. Tonight the fans were as one – a nest of singing birds echoing the lyrics flowing from the stage, monitors and PA. The set list didn’t include all the songs I wished for, or the coda of Too Rolling Stoned but it was still magical. Another great gig that will linger in the memory for a long time.

Thanks to Robin, Davey, Pete and Glenn for putting on a great show.After the gig Sylvia, Bobby and I went to the Coach & Horses in Soho for a few drinks. I asked them for their analysis of the performance. I just listened - and without revealing identities - the following comments were made:

* Dave Bronze’s bass style and fuller tone was sadly missed, and impacted on the sound.
* Glenn Letch’s bass style and funkier tone improved the overall sound of the band.
* Davey’s vocals at times were inaudible – maybe time for Robin to bring in a different vocalist.
* When the sound balance is perfect and the monitors are working Davey’s singing is good.
* Jimmy Dewar’s vocals sadly missed on Hannah Robin and the band played tight, and obviously enjoyed the warm reaction from the crowd.

We agreed that Robin's guitar playing remains remarkable, and pondered the success of lesser mortals who seem to have cracked the musical media code, and continue to build and maintain their careers and reputations on past glories. A great trick if you can pull it off, but maybe you lose your soul in the process?

Setlist: Twice Removed From Yesterday, Shame The Devil, For Earth Below, No Time, The Fool And Me, Roads To Freedom, Islands, Day Of The Eagle, Bridge Of Sighs, Rise Up Like The Sun, Victims Of The Fury, Gonna Be More Suspicious, Hannah, Little Bit Of Sympathy, Too Rolling Stoned, Go My Way Another Time Another Place.

Concert Review: Robin Trower - The Life Cafe, Manchester - 16 March 2005

I travelled from Belfast to Manchester with my wife, Sylvia, daughter, Emma, and son, Ricky, on the day of the concert. From my viewpoint I was wondering how the band would sound, the standard of playing, the nature of the set list (at least four tracks of Living Out of Time and two unrecorded tracks), and how a younger generation would assess the music and guitar playing of Robin Trower in concert?

It proved to be an exceptional performance from Robin and his band. They arrived on stage unannounced at 9.30pm sharp to a rapturous reception. Robin was handed his red and white Strat, and from thereon had the audience in the palm of his hand. Small venue, big sound, great atmosphere, and within six feet of Robin and his array of Fulltone Effect Pedals. Sure beats an arena any day.

It was apparent from the opening chord and flurry of notes by Robin, and the opening riff of "Too Rolling Stoned", that the sound and balance was great (a tremendous accomplishment by Laurie Brace, Sound Engineer for Robin Trower). Robin’s playing appears to have reached a higher level with an extensive array of incredible string bends, stunning use of feedback and tremolo arm, arpeggios, and long sustained notes - all played in his astounding soulful, bluesy, emotionally charged manner. And this was only the opening number.

While Robin has undoubtedly an extensive backlog of great songs, I was surprised at how well the new material sounded and was received: quite an accomplishment for Robin and the band. No artist of caliber should remain in a time warp. From the new album “What’s Your Name” - early in the set - was exceptional, if slightly short at three minutes. Next a great version of “Rise Up Like the Sun” of the 20th Century Blues album and Robin was really cookin’; soloing out with a great wah solo.

A soulful and bluesy version of “Daydream” followed: 11 minutes of mesmerising ecstasy; great bass lines from Dave Bronze, and drumming from Pete Thompson complimenting Robin’s playing. My wife, daughter, and son were astonished at the spiritual nature of the sound produced on stage (after the concert they expressed amazement at the emotion created, and Robin’s guitar playing style).

Just when I though things couldn’t get better the band burst into the title track of “Living out of Time”. Davey’s vocals were superb and Robin flashed several smiles at the other band members as he played the hypnotic riffs and chords; the band was definitely connecting and enjoying the performance. Great versions of “Day of the Eagle” and “Bridge of Sighs” (eleven minutes of pure soulfulness) followed, and were met by rapturous applause and ecstatic yells from the audience.

An unrecorded song followed called “Close Every Door” with great vocals by Davey, and a hard hitting wah lead by Robin at the end to the song was exceptional. Next “I want you to love me” of the 20th Century Blues album took the concert to new heights. Robin’s bluesy licks and passion, supported by Dave’s strong bass lines, and great drumming from Pete, made this a favourite with the crowd.

“Another Time Another Place” provided a wonderful vehicle for Davey to show his vocal skills with Robin providing great fill-ins throughout the song. The band finished with a blistering version of a “A Little bit of Sympathy” and left the stage to thunderous applause. The crowd was truly appreciative of a great performance by Robin and his band. The encores included an unrecorded song called “Come to Me” with its catchy wah riff, and bass lines which allowed Robin to solo using all his guitar playing arsenal and passion.

“Secret Place” proved to be a fitting end to the concert with its jazzy, bluesy chords and tempo. Robin’s guitar playing reached new heights of emotion and soulfulness which fully connected with the crowd.

I would like to thank Robin, the band and crew for a memorable concert.