Robin Trower: CD Review "Something’s About To Change" & USA Concert Tour in 2015

 Photograph © Michael Leach

Robin Trower is an engaging musician and guitarist much undervalued in his own country. His music is direct and soulful in its intensity, especially live. Robin creates a lyrical, ethereal sound quite unlike any other guitarist alive or dead. Frankly, the constant comparisons of Robin's guitar playing and music to other musicians is damn tiring to read never mind listen to. The comments and prejudices expressed by mulish music critics, reviewers and music aficionados about Robin Trower's solo work are depressingly predictable. I see no point in grading musicians and guitarists as better or worse among themselves. I respect their genuine differences. Even at their least successful, the music created by a musician may be admired and have deep meaning to the listener.

It takes great physical, emotional and spiritual stamina to sustain a successful career through each different phase, each new studio album, and to continue to reach listeners and inspire other musicians. Robin Trower remains one of the most gifted electric guitar players of the twentieth century and thankfully he is still creating music and playing in performance today. I hope, and suspect, that someday Robin Trower's music and guitar playing will receive the recognition it genuinely deserves.

This summer Robin, with Chris Taggart on drums and Richard Watts on vocals and bass guitar, will be on tour in the USA starting with a concert in Tulsa on 2 June culminating with a gig in Seattle on 3 July. I'm sure the atmosphere at each concert will be highly charged with expectation and emotion. Also, that Richard and Chris will provide the perfect musical backcloth for Robin to solo with his unique guitar style and sound. I admit to disappointment, however, that the set list for 'recent' tours has remained virtually unchanged. It would be wonderful if Robin showcased other songs from his extensive musical catalogue in live performance. One of the great pleasures over the last decade has been the inclusion of songs from diverse periods of Robin's career which have invigorated his set. 

    
The variety and range of musical output by Robin Trower from his earliest work to the latest album, Something's About To Change, is to be admired for its spirit, soulfulness and quality. In interviews when Robin comments on his studio albums, long after they've been released, he acknowledges that some albums fall short of his own vision and artistic expectations. Each person has their own long-standing favourite Robin Trower albums and tracks. While I believe that some of his albums are uneven in quality, and contain songs which sound repetitious or simply vapid, I'm always pleasantly surprised by the magic generated by some of Robin's new material. The lyrics, music and guitar solos tend not to get lost and lie ingrained in the memory.

Tracklisting 

The title track 'Something's About To Change' opens Robin Trower's new album. The atmosphere and sound is Robin at his best. The drums and bass create a hypnotic "cooking" rhythm and the song contains Robin's best vocal and guitar soloing on the album. The song provides a great build-up to Robin's first and second solo where every note is made to tell. The brooding spirit of the blues, and Robin's airy, soulful guitar hang over the entire track. I wish the second solo had lasted longer and the track listing had been edited to exclude two or three of the undistinguished songs on the album.

'Riff No.7 (Still Alive)' is lyrical and funky with a tight groove. The changing chords and phrases build the tension and, once again, Robin's tone and soloing is excellent but way too short (track length 3:11?!). 

'Dreams That Shone Like Diamonds' has a potent and subtle emotional resonance. The chorus is haunting and memorable, catchy, reflective. The verses are mostly spoken by Robin Trower like a kind of prayer and the track contains some of Robin's most moving and eloquent playing.

'Strange Love' has a slow, flowing groove. Robin's vocals are gentle, yet passionate. His lead guitar shines on this song with extraordinary lyricism, feeling and spirit. Memorable lyrics. 

'The One Saving Grace' has a more pronounced sound than the other tracks on the album, except the title song. The drums and percussion have a more solid feel and Robin whips up the tension with his soloing. Robin's guitar tone is breathtaking and his playing is poetic and passionate (track length 3:06?!). Another song that deserved a longer solo and fade out. In terms of the overall sound of the album - dynamics, rhythms, performances - the inclusion of a talented and expressive bass player may have radically changed the pedestrian feel of some of the songs and added new and intense dimensions.     

The beauty of great (perhaps good) music is that you can listen to it many times with added pleasure, similar to rewatching a movie or rereading a novel. If Robin Trower's music continues to touch your mind and heart you are on a passionate and rewarding venture. 

 Robin Trower

James Dewar

Reg Isidore

CD Review: Robin Trower - 'State to State: Live Across America 1974-1980' (Audio CD) - Release Date: October 04, 2013

A two CD set released on October 04, 2013 includes twenty-four previously unissued 'live' performances by the Robin Trower band. The album includes performances recorded in Philadelphia and California (1974), Illinois (1976), Oklahoma (1977) and Missouri (1980).

The late and supremely gifted James Dewar sings on each track on the album, and plays bass guitar on all but two tracks on Disc 2: 'Somebody Calling' and 'Bluebird'. Robin was feeling his way into a new phase of his career and brought in Rustee Allen on bass guitar with the intention of exploring, to an extent, funkier rhythms and sounds. Robin believed this would enable Jimmy Dewar to concentrate on fresh ways of delivering his distinctive and expressive voice. Whether this experiment was successful, or not, is left to the listener to decide and those fortunate to see the different groups in performance. I believe the personnel change, while transforming the scope of Robin's music, left James Dewar both musically and personally exposed on stage without his bass guitar.
             
All of the tracks on Disc 1 feature the magnificent drumming of the late Reg Isidore. Disc 2 highlights a significant change to the group: Bill Lordan replacing Reg Isidore on drums. Both excellent musicians with different musical identities and style. I believe that Bill Lordan's musicianship and presence improved the sound of the group both in performance and in the studio. His drumming is inspired and dynamic and enabled Robin to explore different musical concepts. The version of 'Alethea' recorded in California in 1974 highlights the contrasting techniques and creative abilities of both drummers.  
    
This 'live' collection contains music of a high caliber (even where the recordings are of a low standard and Robin's guitar tone is adversely affected by feedback and malfunctioning effects pedals) played by superb musicians and fronted by a guitar player who pushes himself to the limit each time he takes to the stage.

The highlights of the performances are those recorded in Illinois during 1976. All of the tracks, especially: 'Daydream', the wonderful 'Same Rain Falls' and 'Too Rolling Stoned' contain some of Robin's most expressive, moving and inventive guitar playing. His excellent musicianship, guitar tone and use of effects confirm that Robin had arrived at an artistic peak. This, however, could not have been achieved without the evocative, subtle and tremendous James Dewar on vocals & bass and Bill Lordan on drums, who both combined to create a tight and superb rhythm section.

The track 'Sailing' is remarkable and atmospheric. Jimmy is in great voice and the melodic groove is of deep emotional depth. Robin's guitar tone on 'Long Misty Days' resembles a jet aircraft taking-off with its huge brooding sound. The live performance is magnificent, transcends the studio version, and contains some of Robin's most eloquent and emotive playing. It would be great to hear other songs from the Illinois performance. Robin, Jimmy and Bill are outstandingly cohesive and, in terms of sound and inspiration, generate a well of sublime music which doesn't fail to get the adrenaline flowing.   

A striking feature of the recordings is the power, texture and soulful voice of James Dewar. At times, the unique quality of Jimmy's voice elevates itself above the atmospheric music, and the listener is drawn to the magical and beautiful expressiveness of his vocals. Truly breathtaking music.        

Pre-order at Amazon 

Listen to MP3 samples at Amazon

Robin Trower Official Site

Jimmy Dewar

CD Review: Robin Trower: "Farther On Up the Road - The Chrysalis Years (1977-1983)" [3 CD Box set] - Release Date: 27 February 2012

After the successful release in July 2010 of A Tale Untold: the Chrysalis Years 1973-1976 Chrysalis Records has issued a second compilation of albums by Robin Trower spanning the period 1977 to 1983. Similar to the first compilation this release comprises a 3 CD Box Set.

The set is titled: Farther On Up the Road - The Chrysalis Years (1977-1983) and contains six albums and two bonus tracks: a radio edit of 'Bluebird', and a b-side, 'One In A Million.' Again, most ardent fans of Robin's guitar playing and songwriting will have most, or, all, of the tracks on vinyl, CD and MP3. It is still, however, a compilation worth adding to a record collection.

It's gratifying to see a photograph of the late Reg Isadore included in the liner notes; he was an exceptional drummer and musician. I'm surprised there isn't a photograph of Bill Lordan. Bill played drums on four of the albums and isn't acknowledged with a photograph. I believe also that Bobby Clouter played drums on seven of the nine tracks on the album Back It Up, and Alan Clarke played drums on two tracks: 'Back It Up' and 'Islands'. Someone should meticulously proofread the credits before a record is released, and ensure that all the musicians' physically involved with the music are given due credit and respect.

Bill Lordan

Robin's good fortune in meeting James (Jimmy) Dewar can't be underestimated. Jimmy, as ever, connects with the listener in a way most vocalist's can only dream. His voice is beautiful, and brings a unique kind of greatness to the music. He was also an outstanding lyricist and tremendous bass player. If fate had been gracious, perhaps Jimmy and Robin would have collaborated again and produced music of profound power, passion and relevance. Robin and Jimmy's recorded work and 'live' performances are full of seminal masterpieces which bring unbridled joy to many fans worldwide, and continues to inspire and attract new admirers each day. A wonderful legacy.

James (Jimmy) Dewar - Bass, Vocals & Lyricist

Tracklisting

Choosing one song, one album, a compilation of tracks, or albums, cannot begin to encompass Robin Trower's gift and passion as a guitarist and musician, or the depth and variety of his extensive musical output. No doubt the album Bridge Of Sighs, and the track of the same name, provide a powerful introduction to his musical style and guitar playing. Nevertheless, Robin's musical output is remarkable in terms of its quality, melodic intensity and his mastery of the guitar. There are millions of 'gifted' guitarists in the world but few mature into musical artists who play with astounding virtuosity and are able to compose music of the highest quality with a plethora of masterpieces. 

I believe, in the main, that this collection contains music of the highest quality. It is music of exploration, intensity, variety and colours - and it produces its fair share of magic. Nevertheless, as far as recording is concerned, the album Truce remains a disappointment. It has its share of undistinguished studio tracks, and - apart from a few performances where the interplay of Robin, Jack Bruce and Reg Isadore (all extraordinary gifted musicians) reach the creative standards one would expect - the overall atmosphere is uninspiring. The shortcomings lie, in part, in the poor quality of the songwriting.

The release of Back It Up in 1983 showed a return to Robin's customary creative standards. The new rhythm section: bassist Dave Bronze (an expressive player with a vivid bass tone) on seven of the tracks, and drummers Bobby Clouter and Alan Clarke (players of great style and intuition), and the return of James Dewar on vocals (and bass for two tracks), seems to have spurred Robin to push himself, yet again, to high limits both creatively and musically. 

Jimmy Dewar (most importantly), Reg Isadore and Bill Lordan, played a 'crucial' part in forming the identity, mood and texture of Robin's vision and creativity, and to bring the end result to the record buying public and concert audiences. While some of the tracks instantly capture the listener's attention, the collection contains music waiting to be discovered, or rediscovered, as there is a sense of timelessness, and wonder, in most of the performances and guitar solos.

Robin Trower

 Jimmy Dewar

 Bill Lordan  

Track samples and order available at: Amazon's Robin Trower Store