Robin Trower, Benny Dancer

[Ritchie200]

This is off the Back it Up album, which was Jimmy Dewar's last album with Robin as he was ill at the time.  They never toured for this album and it did not sell well.  I always thought it was good and this song in particular is Robin sounding like Jimi as much as can be.  This is Band of Gypsy's Machine Gun, Robin Trower style!  Man he can wail!  Doug, I know you will like this one!

Jim

Robin Trower-Benny Dancer

[SILVERGUN]

Alright I'll give you that one...

Kinda sounds like a strat through a really loud amp

I'm starting to see a common theme with you

[EL34]

Yeah, you know I love Robin Trower

I do hear shades of Machine gun in the bass parts

[tubenit]

Yeah, ............. OK ............. Jim, you get a couple points for that one. 

Cool stuff.  I think Trower is a great player. My impression of him is he is a pretty humble guy.

With respect, Jeff

[Ritchie200]

Yeah, when I met him he was so cool and laid back.  I sat with him for almost an hour and we talked like he knew me for years - and answered all my stupid questions!  Don't know if you remember my post a year or so ago about when I told him one of my fav songs was Wiskey Train.  He said he never really played any of that "old Procol stuff" live.  When he came to town a few months after I met him, he played it and dedicated it to a friend of his here in St. Louis.  I always say it was me and not some blonde he met the night before!

Somebody posted this on one of his u-toob videos and I think he hit the nail on the head: "Trower's phrasing is more sophisticated (in a soulful way) than most other guitar greats...he lags behind and gets ahead of the beat with uncanny timing, the way a great singer does to maximize the drama....add to that the best guitar tone and you've got Robin Trower...many people confuse speed, complexity and high gain distortion with guitar greatness ....this is music people-not finger twittling! It takes soul to recognize soul...this is why many don't get Trower."  Well said.

I also heard him talking about his influences like BB King and Howling Wolf.  He said that he never learned their stuff, as in note for note.  He was more interested in learning what emotion caused them to play it like they did.  That emotion was what he wanted to capture, not a flurry of notes.  That's pretty cool.

One of his early bands (before Procol) opened for the Beatles and the Stones.  He said he was not that impressed with the Beatles - live.   Sorry....  Anyway, he said the Stones loved his group and really helped them out resulting in an album deal and worldwide tours with the Stones.  He said they were very very nice.

Jim

[EL34]

Robin continued to put out great albums after Jimmy passed away
Jimmy's vocals were the best, but Robin has had some other vocalist that were very good

This is one of my favorite Robin tunes from the passion album
Listen to how Robin plays with the beat and how he bends his notes so cool
Check out the cool wah fills he does
He also does some really cool slurs on some of the notes

And his solo is just jaw dropping cool

http://www.el34world.com/Misc/Music/files/No_Time.mp3

[SILVERGUN]

Nice stuff guys....thanks for that addition E L

T,,, just for the record: Eb Minor pentationic (blues) was just about all I could play over this, because if I tried to add the full natural minor scale, it  "took away" from the grit that drives this song (a great example of when NOT to use a mode), even though it possesed a sad feeling (Minor based progression)

I realize that is an obvious statement,,,but just want to continue to provide you with examples 

**Permission to remove post if I am being an overbearing idiot 

Dave

[Willabe]

"Trower's phrasing is more sophisticated (in a soulful way) than most other guitar greats...he lags behind and gets ahead of the beat with uncanny timing, the way a great singer does to maximize the drama....add to that the best guitar tone and you've got Robin Trower...many people confuse speed, complexity and high gain distortion with guitar greatness ....this is music people-not finger twiddling!

Yes, Yes, Yes! Well said indeed.

To me that's what it's all about, phrasing and phrasing is more than just notes. This is a very large part of what makes the music come alive. Rhythm sections do this too. It's what makes the music breath. Gives it it's pulse.

If you look at the classic comedians they say it's all about their timing in their delivery of the "set up" and "punch line". It's the same for actors and puppeteers too, like the Muppets.

You may not like Willy Nelson, but he is a master of using singing ahead and behind the beat as part of phrasing. It gives his "story telling" of the lyric great emotional depth.

Jim Dewar has long been a favorite singer of mine. He also was a master of using singing ahead and behind the beat, plus he had the pipes to really sing. I take it he was ill by this point in his life?


              Brad    

[Ritchie200]

Yeah Doug, Davey Pattison (ex Ronnie Montrose's Gamma) has some great pipes too!  I also like Livingston Brown.

Willabe, from what I've read, Jimmy had some sort of medical procedure that got botched up.  This resulted in some significant brain damage that got worse as time went on.  I remember Robin saying that Jimmy was not doing so well when they put out this album.  Although other information posted on the net says he was fine up to about 3 years AFTER this album.  I would tend to believe Robin on this one.

There were some great tunes on this album (Back it Up) and nobody but the hard core fans know it exists.  I know it is long out of print.

Here ya go Doug

20th Century Blues - Robin Trower

And this scorcher


Jim
20th Century Blues - Robin Trower

[EL34]

Those are both the same tune

[Ritchie200]

Hey!  Those are both the same tune!  Aaauuughhh!  Sorry, had to post and run and didn't even look...

This should have been the first one:
If You Really Want To Find Love - Robin Trower

And just as an extra for the "Trower face" collection, I've always liked this one too:
Robin Trower - Climb Above The Rooftops - San Rafael 1988

Jim

[EL34]

Yes, I have that album also
Another fine Trowser album

[Ritchie200]

Just one, ok two more!  We can't forget the Jack Bruce years!

An oh so simple lead that works with a great melody:

Robin Trower - B.L.T. - 05 - It's To Late

Lets turn everything up to ten and jam!  I don't think there is a single overdub on this blazing tune!

Robin Trower - B.L.T. - 04 - No Island Lost

Jim

[smackoj]

If there is one aspect of the 'rock revolution' from the 60's that I really miss, it's the small start up FM radio stations of that era. That's where a guy would hear Robin late at night, and his work wouldn't be lanquishing in some recycle record bin at the Goodwill store. But, the commercial winds blew too hard and those days are gone. Now we have Clear Channel, Son of Clear Channel and Clear Channel Lite for the squimish listener.

 

[Ritchie200]

So true.  We have KSHE radio here in St. Louis that started in the '60s with an album format that was eventually bought out by Emmis (sp?).  Great DJ's and great music.  I also liked the skipping record for 5 minutes while the poor guy was in the john!  Now it's the same recycled crap over and over that you would hear on "Rock Rewind" on XM.  I really get tired of hearing Freeturd every half hour.  None of the local flavor and favorites left in the programming.  I've always said I grew up in the best time for music - the 60's and 70's.  So diverse and no silly formula driving the album rock.  AND, you would see the same people at a Heart concert as you would a Marshall Tucker concert as you would a Sabbath concert...
Jim

[tubenit]

I sent off and already received "Essential Robin Trower".  I have not had anything of his since Bridge of Sighs. He is a great player for sure.
Having said that, at least on this CD, .............. ALOT of the songs sound the same.

Haven't gotten the CD that EL34 posted about yet, but I think it may be more like what I like based on the customer reviews?

Oh,  ............. and I tried cranking the OD on my Tweed BluezMeister, put the delay on pretty thick and used a Zenith Drive pedal that I built and modded.  Got reasonably convincing Trower sustain and tone minus the Flanger effects.

Best regards,  Tubenit

[Ritchie200]

Oh,  ............. and I tried cranking the OD on my Tweed BluezMeister, put the delay on pretty thick and used a Zenith Drive pedal that I built and modded.  Got reasonably convincing Trower sustain and tone minus the Flanger effects.  

ummm....is this with that thing you call a guitar?  If so....no.

Essential is just ok.  There are a few gems in there like Hanna, Victims, and the good old stuff, but yeah they would sound similar.  

You NEED to order this:
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-Trower-Living-Time-Live/dp/B000BPK2MA/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1358746244&sr=1-1&keywords=robin+trower

It is FANTASTIC.  It is a very well done pro shot video of a live show with great sound.  I think the camera man/producer was a guitar player because they are on Robin at the right times.  He is also playing a good spread of his music.  I think you will really like this one.  It also shows what I talk about with his live shows.  He can play all night and seem like he is not ever playing the same notes.  Amazing guy.

Jim

[tubenit]

Since 85% of the music I listen to is in the car while I am driving ..............................

that DVD is probably not going to work for me.  


However, .......... it is amazing what one can find on You Tube:

ROBIN TROWER - LIVING OUT OF TIME LIVE

Very cool

[zendragon63]

Great clips. Bridge Of Sighs is still a favorite to jam along with. As underrated a guitarist as Kossock IMHO. Regards

dennis

[EL34]

However, .......... it is amazing what one can find on You Tube:
ROBIN TROWER - LIVING OUT OF TIME LIVE

Dang, that's an awesome video Jeff
I'll have to watch all of it
The version of Spellbound is great!

[tubenit]

OK,  I got the "Passion" CD in that EL34 mentioned. 

I like it ALOT better than the Robin Trower ""Essential". Too much of the Essential CD just sounds like recycled stuff of the same feel.

I think the Passion CD is some of his most creative lead guitar playing. It is not nearly as good from a rhythm vantage point though as his other stuff, IMO. It's more like he plays in the traditional Robin Trower style but does a great job of branching out from it also with some stuff I've not heard him do before.

After Bridge of Sighs, this Passion CD is probably my favorite of his.  It's different compared to the rest of the stuff I've heard Trower do. I would describe it as Michael Bolton meets Cars meets ZZ Top meets Trower.

His guitar tone on the Passion CD is excellent to my ears. It's not nearly as muffled and the clarity of it stands out better in the mix. Lots of the songs have some of that Billy G "squawk" tone in it.  Less Band of Gypsy's tone and more ZZ Top tone in it, IMO.

Jeff

[tubenit]

Speaking of jamming along with Trower:

http://www.guitarbackingtrack.com/play/trower,_robin/too_rolling_stoned.htm

Hey Doug, can you play lead on this??

[EL34]

yeah I do Too rolling stoned and several others
maybe I'll grab that backing track and give it a go
I don't sound anything like Robin so it would be my version

On that passion CD
I think Robin never sounded better and his guitar tone was awesome
He was really in his prime on that album

[tubenit]

yeah I do Too rolling stoned and several others
maybe I'll grab that backing track and give it a go
I don't sound anything like Robin so it would be my version

I certainly don't have any agenda for you ............... however, I'd love to hear your version of that. After listening to yrs of your playing ........ I think you'd do a fantastic job on that tune! I'd rather it have your signature on it then be a clone.

I'm not sure who else on the forum could pull that off? Probably some great players here that would do it justice.  It's way past my ability.

And I know you're busy, so if it never happens ........... no big deal.

Jeff

[EL34]

Ok, here ya go Jeff
very raw and no editing

http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=15040.new#new

[drew]

You NEED to order this:
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-Trower-Living-Time-Live/dp/B000BPK2MA/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1358746244&sr=1-1&keywords=robin+trower

It is FANTASTIC.  It is a very well done pro shot video of a live show with great sound.  I think the camera man/producer was a guitar player because they are on Robin at the right times.  

Conversely, the Jack Bruce/Robin Trower "Seven Moons Live" DVD seems like it was mixed by someone who HATES guitar, or who never bothered to listen to the studio "Seven Moons" CD, or both.  Avoid, unless you're a completist.

I just ordered Robin's newest CD, Roots and Branches.  Beautiful playing, as always.  He's so underrated as a musician, it's almost criminal.  People either have never heard of him, or only know Bridge of Sighs, or have never actual listened to any of his music but have heard from other people that have never actually listened to any of his music that he's a "Jimi Hendrix copycat."  Doesn't even seem to get much respect from his contemporaries, either (other than Bryan Ferry); you're more likely to hear some waste of skin like Sheryl Crow on one of Clapton's Crossroads guitar festivals than Robin.

[Ritchie200]

Yes I'm a competist.....  I've got literally everything he has put out in vinyl, cd, VHS, and DVD.  I've even got a few bootlegs off the mixing board.  Did you know Robin did a Guitarlicks instructional video?  Got that one too.  Seven Moons Live is the most lifeless concert I have ever seen.  Not sure if you noticed that Jack Bruce was reading the lyrics off a cheat sheet...come on!  Obviously they enjoy playing together, but boy there is just no spark.  Plus Robin looks exceedingly bored playing the tired old Cream stuff - just because of Jack.

The snippets of Roots and Branches that I have heard have been great!  I still need to get that one.  Give us a review after you get it and give it a listen!

Jim

[EL34]

Robin did a Guitarlicks instructional video

I have that also on VHS tape

[Ritchie200]

Yeah, I've watched it over and over hoping that something will sink in - nope....

Jim

[Ritchie200]

Picked up Roots and Branches.  It is a bunch of cover tunes and a couple of originals.  I love this tune with that wicked walking bass line.  I've also included a live shot of the tune showing that awesome vibrato of his.  Pretty amazing considering he plays with .012's.

ROBIN TROWER - See My Life - 2012

robin trower see my life

[EL34]

That's a cool tune