Robin Trower –
Roots and Branches (Manhaton Records).
What is there left to say about Robin Trower? One of the
all-time British guitar greats, listing Procol Harum and an extensive solo
career covering 40 years in Blues and Prog Rock, he could be forgiven for
putting his feet up. Not likely! Roots & Branches is his 31st
release since leaving Procol Harum and as the title suggests, he’s returned to
his roots to rediscover some of the songs that shaped his blossoming years,
mixed with some new songs influenced by these classics. He starts off with by
slowing down the intro to Hound Dog and returns the song to its Blues roots
with suitably laconic guitar and harp. Shape Of Things To Come has some classic
Trower playing as he turns this into a grinding Funk Blues and I Believe This
To My Soul is a sophisticated Blues. Two Blues classics in the form of Born
Under A Bad Sign and The Thrill Is Gone are offered in differing versions, the
former delivered like a string bending master and the latter is played in a way
that even BB King hasn’t thought of. He keeps the vocal laid back and throws in
a few more notes than BB and it works. When I Heard Your Name is a contemporary
Blues on the soulful side and Sheltered Moon is a sultry, sophisticated Blues.
Both are relaxing in their own way. Another song made famous by Elvis Presley,
That’s Alright Mama is given a grungy makeover and Trower returns to his
original slashing, screeching guitar. Little Red Rooster has Trower in his
element. Forget the Rolling Stones’ very good cover but this is how it should
be played, on the menacing side. It’s dark and brooding and he’s not lost any
of his guitar prowess on sustain and power. Save Your Love is a lengthy, slow
Blues with plenty of fills and thrills. He’s well known for his grinding Blues
Rock and there’s not a finer example than the closing track, See My Life. This
reminds me why he is one of the best guitarists ever to come out of the UK and
the old time guitar solo is not too indulgent. A true master!
David Blue.
No comments:
Post a Comment