Robin Trower
Robin Trower first came to prominence with the rather sedate Procol Harum. After some attempts to amp up the group's sound on tracks like "Whiskey Train," the Hendrix influenced Blues guitarist set out on his own with vocalist/bassist Jimmy Dewar and drummer Reggie Isadore. "Bridge of Sighs," released in '74, was both a commercial and artist success. Subsequent albums had an outstanding track or two but failed to register. A pairing with former Cream bassist Jack Bruce in the '80s didn't help matters. Trower continued recording in the '90s with solid, if unexceptional results.
Trower issued "Living Out Of Time" in '03. The set featured returning bandmates Davey Pattison (vocals), Dave Bronze (bass) and Pete Thompson (drums). This line-up produced both "Passion" ('87) and "Take What You Need" ('88). An '06 tour resulted in "Living Out Of Time: Live." The effort contained songs from throughout Trower's career including "Too Rolling Stoned" and "Bridge Of Sighs."
Trower revisited his past once again when he re-teamed with Jack Bruce for the '08 album "Seven Moons." He took over the vocal duties on his '09 effort "What Lies Beneath."
"Seven Moons Live" also dropped in '09. Recorded during a Trower/Bruce Eurpoean tour, it was the duo's first live release in the U.S.
"Bridge of Sighs" with the title track, "Too Rolling Stoned" and "Day of the Eagle" is Robin Trower's top drawer album. Live, Trower launches extended solos that actually propel songs rather than simply provide concert filler. A couple live CDs, "BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert" and "The King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Robin Trower," show his guitar pyrotechnics in the best light. "Essential Robin Trower" covers his first eight albums and does a decent job, though "Bridge of Sighs" is still the first choice.
On "Seven Moons" Trower still shows flashes of Hendrix while Bruce, who handles the vocals, is inexorably linked with Cream. But this isn't Cream with the substitution of Trower for Clapton, nor is it a Hendrix psychedelic adventure. Rather, the pair (along with drummer Gary Husband) roll through a set of heavy riff-based Blues.
At times "What Lies Beneath" sounds like Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler fronting a Hendrix tribute band. Not a bad combination. Trower has a nasal drawl that he uses in an expressive and confident manner. The Hendrix, with shades of Santana ("Wish You Were Mine" and "Time And Emotion"), guitar work is appealing.
Most of the tracks are mid-tempo but the muscular "Freefall" kicks up the energy and the heat. "Skin And Bones" follows suit though not as successfully but "Buffalo Blues" takes the groove to the mat.