Tag: robin trower (Page 1 of 3)

Releasing your 28th solo album just as you turn 80 is quite an impressive feat, and that does not include his many collaborations, live albums, or the Procul Harum records. This album is a master class in tone, feel, and playing what is required. To many modern guitar players, playing a squillion notes up and down the fretboard as an entry into the guitar olympics makes them a player, but it does not. Robin has always been about playing what is required with the maximum feel and groove, plus he has a tone to die for that has inspired a lot of his contemporaries. Steve Stevens and Paul Gilbert to name two.

This time, Robin has gone with Richard Watts on vocals, who has a lovely warm tone to his voice in the great Jimmy Dewar footprint. The only song that doesn’t feature Watts is Tangled Love, which features Jess Hayes instead, and this is my favourite song. A beautiful song with a great groove and a very soulful vibe.

I love this album and it’s been on repeat play since its arrival, I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve said it before, Robin is in a late career golden period and long may it continue.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

Now, I’ve already reviewed the original version of this album. But, I was very interested to hear what this 50th anniversary mix would sound like compared to the classic original.

Along with the album proper, there is a second disc comprised of b-sides and rough mixes, plus a John Peel session from the BBC. The remaster of the original is superb. Daydream just gives goosebumps as the clarity alone is stunning. The extra tracks are mainly edits, apart from B-Side Take A Fast Train which is a non album track and has a big Hendrix vibe, I guess it was left off because space. The Peel session is a killer addition. I hadn’t heard it before and is a warts and all power trio doing what it does best.

It’s worth buying for the remaster alone and it gets an extra half a mark.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This is Robin Trower’s third album to feature Davey Pattinson on vocals and would be Robin’s last for Atlantic. I do like Davey on vocals, but nobody can beat Jimmy Dewar singing this type of music.

If you’re used to hearing Robin doing his patented heavy blues/funk groove then this album is a bit of a departure. Eddie Kramer was brought in to produce it and the result is a lot more polished and clean.

Turn The Volume Up feels like an attempt to do a big rock song, especially with the hook and sing a long gang chorus. If that’s what they were aiming for then they missed the boat by a few years. I realize I’m being a bit negative and that gives a false impression, as the record is very enjoyable indeed. In fact, there are plenty of groovy moments. For example, Natural Fact has a real cool blues funk riff with a great swing to it, and I Would Still Be Here For You is pure old school Trower with a killer riff and the guitar tone is superb it’s my favourite track. However, the big rock grooves of Everybody’s Watching is a close second with a massive hook and chorus!

Robin doesn’t make bad records and even though the feel of this one is different from old it’s still a great record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This was a side step for Robin at the time as after the Victims Of The Fury album and tour he recorded this with Jack Bruce. It would be the first of many hook ups they did over the years. Robin was deep into the funk at this time, and I personally think his best work was with James Dewar. I loved both Caravan To Midnight and Victims Of The Fury and I was shocked when he seemingly left James behind, which he would do permanently after the Back It Up record, to record with Bruce.

There are some killer moments on this album like No Island Lost which has the feel of a one take tune, especially Robins guitar. It’s a great old school blues/funk romp with a very loud “wah wah” guitar. My favourite track is the last track on the album, Endgame. A back to basics slow blues tune, which seems to fit Jack’s voice so well, and of course Robin plays as only he can.

7/10 from The Grooveman.