Robin Trower - The Playful Heart

Robin Trower just keeps playing killer guitar.  This one features his road band on some more slow blues with a little introspection.  That and did I mention guitar!  Robin has lost nothing over the years.  In fact he plays with even more taste than ever.  Check him and the band out on tour and give a listen to some recent versions of his classics below.  You want a guitar hero, let me tell you kiddies Robin Trower is a certified monster...

Robin Trower - Boulton Center 9-14-09

I took my son to see Robin Trower tonight at the Boulton Center in Bayshore, NY. Sam is an aspiring guitarist and I have trying to take him to see all of my favorites over the past couple of years (and I throw in one or two of his bands along the way). He was amazed when he hear Robin tear into his first solo. He may be showing his age (we all are) but he has lost nothing in his playing. Sam said he never heard such a distinctive tone before.

We got a few new ones and a bunch of old ones (anything off of Bridge of Sighs is a classic) but it really doesn't matter. The songs are the vehicle for the solos and there were plenty tonight. Each one better than the last. The band really built on the momentum until the encores which included Too Rolling Stoned (natch). Great night. Check Robin out if he comes your way.

By the way for those of you on Long Island, you really need to check out the Boulton Center. It's the best kept secret out there. Capacity is less than 250 and no bad seats. Since the IMAC closed they have been booking more shows. I have Indigenous, Richie Haven, Coco Montoya & Tommy Castro, and Savoy Brown there over the next few months. No seats worse than second row. Should be a great fall.

Robin Trower Talks About His Gear

Robin Trower...one of my favorites. Great tone, superb feel.

Jack Bruce and Robin Trower - Seven Moons

I missed this one last year when it was released. I've always admired Robin Trower's playing and I have seen him a few times over the past few years and he has lost nothing. He still plays that Strat with such wonderful feeling and gets tones that most only dream of. That Hendrix "sound" is still there and it's all the more refined. Vastly under-rated and under appreciated in my opinion. Jack Bruce was the voice of Cream and his singing and bass playing are instantly recognizable and familiar. In fact he sounds much better here than he did on the Cream reunion a few years back.

In fact I really get a Cream vibe from this disc, that is if Jimi had played in Cream instead of Clapton. Not better, just different. This is such a strong album, but one that is from another time, which is a pity as I don't see much of an audience for this type of record. It's great, but nobody cares.

This is worth it to just hear Trower play. The songs are strong as are the vocals, but it is Trower who steals the show. The playing is just so great, with such feeling that any fan of rock, or blues really ought to check this out.

Track Listing

1. Seven Moons 4:42

2. Lives of Clay 5:04

3. Distant Places of the Heart 5:25

4. She's Not the One 2:56

5. So Far to Yesterday 3:35

6. Just Another Day 5:31

7. Perfect Place 3:47

8. The Last Door 5:10

9. Bad Case of Celebrity 4:06

10. Come to Me 4:45

11. I'm Home 3:11

Check it out here or here.

Amazon


Rumor has it that Jack Bruce will be joining Robin Trower on the upcoming leg of Robin's North American tour. I got this from someone at Samson who works with Jack and he swears it's happening. One can only hope. I have tickets to take my son to the Boulton Center show in September (a 230 seat theater in Bayshore, NY). Should be great either way. The clip below is from earlier this year of Jack & Robin performing Politician.