Robin Trower has been heralded as one of the most influential Guitar players to come out of the British Blues Rock scene. Though other names may come to mind, none have the "signature sound and style" of the man who was tagged by the press with the nickname of "The White Hendrix" back in the 70's. Robin was in the audience during a performance by Jimi Hendrix those many years back, and he readily admits that the Experience changed his approach to the guitar.
It is obvious to anyone who ever listened to Robin's music that he has taken the ethereal sound that Jimi first introduced to the world and created his own unique way of expressing himself through the guitar. The result is a unique style of music all his own - NOT an imitation of Jimi at all, and a career of considerable merit.
Robin is known for his incredible talent as a guitar player and his inspirational style of soloing, coaxing sounds from his Strat that seem to emanate from beyond this world. To be among those who have experienced Robin performing live is to be forever changed by this masterful Artist as he takes you along with him on one musical masterpiece after another.
1968 Shine on Brightly (Trower sings backup on "Wish Me Well")
1969 A Salty Dog (Trower sings lead on "Crucifiction Lane")
1970 Home
1970 Ain't Nothin' to Get Excited About (a vintage rock'n'roll side-project by members of Procol Harum, recording as 'Liquorice John Death')
1971 Broken Barricades (Trower sings lead on "Song for a Dreamer" and "Poor Mohammed")
1991 The Prodigal Stranger
1995 The Long Goodbye
With Robin Trower Band
Studio albums
1973 Twice Removed from Yesterday –
1974 Bridge of Sighs
1975 For Earth Below
1976 Long Misty Days
1977 In City Dreams
1978 Caravan to Midnight
1980 Victims of the Fury
1983 Back It Up
1987 Passion
1988 Take What You Need
1990 In the Line of Fire
1994 20th Century Blues
1997 Someday Blues
2000 Go My Way
2003 Living Out of Time
2005 Another Days Blues
2009 What Lies Beneath
2010 The Playful Heart
2013 Roots and Branches
2014 Something's About To Change
2016 Where You Are Going To
2017 Time and Emotion
2019 Coming Closer to the Day
2020 United State of Mind
Live albums
1976: Robin Trower Live! (recorded 2/3/75, Stockholm)
1985: Beyond the Mist (recorded April 1985 at The Marquee Club, London)
1992: BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (recorded 1/29/75)
1996: King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Robin Trower in Concert (recorded 10/18/77, New Haven, CT)
1999: This Was Now '74–'98 (recorded 1974, Pittsburgh, PA; 1998, Seattle, WA) -2-CD set
2006: Living Out of Time: Live (recorded 9/3/05, Bonn, Germany) [note: also available on DVD]
2009: RT@RO.08 (recorded 3/29/08, Royal Oak, MI)
2011: Robin Trower at The BBC 1973–1975 (recorded 3/26/73 [John Peel Session], 9/26/73 [Bob Harris Session], 2/20/74 [Bob Harris Session], 3/5/74 [John Peel Session], 1/28/75 [John Peel Session], and 1/29/75 [BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert, omitting 2 songs but adding 2 others]) -2-CD set
2013: State To State: Live Across America 1974–1980 (recorded 1974, Philadelphia; 1974, California; 1976, Illinois; 1977, Oklahoma; 1980, Missouri) -2CD
2015: Rock Goes To College 1980 (recorded 2/25/80, London)
Compilations
1987: The Robin Trower Portfolio
1991: Essential Robin Trower
1991: Robin Trower: The Collection
1994: Robin Trower Anthology
2002: Speed Of Sound: The Best of Robin Trower
2004: Dreaming the Blues -2-CD set
2008: Day of The Eagle: The Best of Robin Trower
2010: A Tale Untold: The Chrysalis Years 1973–1976 -3-CD set
2012: Farther On Up The Road: The Chrysalis Years 1977–1983 -3-CD set
2014: Compendium 1987–2013 -2-CD set
2014: Original Album Series (contains Twice Removed from Yesterday, Bridge of Sighs, For Earth Below, Robin Trower Live!, Long Misty Days) -5-CD set
2015: Original Album Series, Vol. 2 (contains In City Dreams, Caravan to Midnight, Victims of the Fury, B.L.T., Truce) -5-CD set
2019: The Studio Albums 1973–1983 (contains all 10 studio albums presented in card-sleeves housed in a clamshell box) -10-CD set
With Jack Bruce
1981: B.L.T
1982: Truce
1989: No Stopping Anytime (compilation of B.L.T. and Truce)
2007: Seven Moons
2009: Seven Moons Live (recorded 2/28/09, Nijmegen, Holland) [note: also available on DVD] re-released as Songs from the Road
With Bryan Ferry
1993: Taxi
1994: Mamouna
2007: Dylanesque
MY NEW BOOK
IS FINALLY OUT!
ENTITLED
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
SERIES ONE
CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM
FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE
…Order yours today on
(Collector edition) Hardcover
or E-book
at bookbaby.com and amazon.com
Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of
the greatest rock legends the world will ever know.
CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA… JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER... RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER... ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK REVIEW
-By Literary Titan (5) STARS
The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.
The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.
Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.
The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music. The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.
Guitar gallantry …
innovative songwriting … soulful vocal styling’s … hard rock & blues
tenacity … legendary artistry … these are just a few words that can describe
the amazing musical genius of …ROBIN
TROWER.
This year marks the
40th anniversary of one of the greatest rock albums in music history. ‘Bridge of Sighs’(1974)
was only the second studio album released by the Robin Trower power-trio of Robin Trower (guitar
and vocals),James
Dewar(lead vocals and bass) and Reg Isidoreon
drums. It was this simplistic framework that musically overpowered many of
their peers and lofted the band into superstardom. ‘Bridge of Sighs’ was recorded on the
Chrysalis/Capitol label and reached #7 in the U.S. while staying on the charts
for 31 weeks. That same year the album was certified gold.
BRIDGE
OF SIGHS: composed a
mesmerizing and overwhelming sound mix of Psychedelic Rock, R&B & Funk
melodies combined with lucid mind-numbing lyrical content. Most of the tracks
were written by Robin Trower and James Dewar. The
success of the album motivated many listeners to go back and retrieve Trower’s
debut album ‘Twice Removed from Yesterday’(1973)
which also became a certified gold album. Both albums were produced by Matthew Fisher (Procol Harum) and also engineered by Geoff Emerick (The Beatles audio engineer).
From the very
beginning, Robin Trowerdeveloped a very
unique style of his own. Trower’s ingredients include a heavy dose of hypnotic
rock with Progressive, Blues, Acid Rock and R&B overtones. The metaphysical
lyrical content was delivered by the commanding voice ofJames Dewar. The mesmerizing musical qualities of
Trower and Dewar instantly transported the listener’s mind musically into other
worlds and dimensions. Vocalist/bassist/songwriter James Dewar (1942-2002) was a rare musical gem and
extremely crucial to the success of‘Bridge of Sighs’as well as all his
recordings with the band and their live performances.
The title of the album
was believed to be inspired by a bridge located in Venice, Italy. The view from
the Bridge of Sighs was
the last view of Venice that convicts saw before
their imprisonment. In my recent interview with Robin, I learned that the
name of the album and monumental track came from an entirely different source.
ROBIN
TROWER TODAY: is back on the road
again with a rather lengthy tour which kicks off on October
4th in St. Louis, Missouri. The
Trower power-trio lands in St.Petersburg, Florida on November
12th at Jannus Live. For a
full listing of Robin Trower concert dates click [HERE] or go towww.trowerpower.comfor
further information. To purchase tickets for the Jannus Live concertin St. Pete,
Florida click [HERE] or
visit http://jannuslive.com/ for
more information.
The Robin Trower
travelling power-trio is …Robin Trower (vocals,
guitar), Richard Watts(bass and vocals), and Chris Taggart (drums). Trower’s most recent album
entitled ‘Roots and Branches’ (2013)
will be supported on the tour.
Robin Trower also has
a brand new albumcoming out sometime
at the beginning of 2015. The album will follow in the footsteps of ‘Root and Branches’but
all the tracks will be originals and written by Robin.
I had the great
pleasure of chatting with Robin Trowerrecently
about… The new album …The tour… ‘Bridge of Sighs’ turning 40 … James Brown …
And much more!
Here’s my interview
with legendary guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, with … The Paramounts/ Procol Harum/
Robin Trower / and collaborations with Jack Bruce …ROBIN TROWER
Ray
Shasho:Hello Robin, good to hear from you again … beautiful weather here
in Florida as always while we anticipate your arrival to Jannus Live in St.
Petersburg for a live show on Wednesday, November 12th.
Robin
Trower:“Hello Ray, we’re looking forward to coming
back to St. Pete.”
Ray
Shasho:The tour kicks off October 4th in St. Louis Missouri, who are the
musicians that will be touring with you?
Robin
Trower: “Richard Watts
on bass and vocals who has also performed on ‘Roots and Branches’ and Chris
Taggart the same drummer on the album.”
Ray
Shasho:How’s Davie Pattison these days … any chance of working with him
again?
Robin
Trower: “I haven’t spoken with
him for awhile but I think he’s doing okay. Because I’ve been doing more
singing myself, I think I’m going more down that road. I’ve discovered that I
enjoy singing what I’ve written and feel the vocals are more connected to the
original idea when I do it. Of course when you’re writing you are singing it to
yourself, so it’s a natural thing when you actually go in to record it and
you’re singing it yourself, it sounds right to you. Obviously Davie is a
great-great singer, but I think the material is a bit more personal and
especially this new album where the lyrics are more personal to me.”
Ray
Shasho:Let’s talk about the new CD, when can we expect it to be released?
Robin
Trower:“I think just in the new year. All the songs
will be originals and I must say it turned out really well; I’m also very
pleased with the guitar on it. The album is rolling on from ‘Roots and
Branches’ only having written the material myself instead of doing a few
covers. I think what I’ve learned to do with the guitar when I did ‘Roots and
Branches’ has fed into this new album and that’s the way I’d put it.”
Ray
Shasho:Besides rock and roll & the blues, I know you’re a big fan of
R&B/Funk/Soul music. In our last interview you stated that James Brown was
one of your heroes … would you consider recording an entire R&B/Soul album
some day?
Robin
Trower: “I think
of myself as fundamentally rock and roll and obviously very rhythm and blues
influence. Doing the stuff I do with electric guitar, I don’t think I could
make that shift. I’m thinking music from the 60’s and 70’s with dance beats
going on … either that or heavy soul ballads, and you need to be that kind of
singer to start.”
Ray
Shasho:Your vocals on one of my favorite albums ‘Go My Way’ (2000) was
strikingly soulful … especially tracks like “Into Dust,” I think you could
definitely pull it off with amazing success.
Robin
Trower: “I feel very comfortable doing blues …
blues influence and rock and roll, that’s really where I’m coming from. My
favorite artist as you know is James Brown, Howlin’ Wolf, Son House, and the
people like that had a great influence on my writing, so I’m very comfortable
singing those kinds of tunes.”
Ray
Shasho:I was very saddened to hear about the loss of your wife Andrea
earlier this year.
Robin
Trower: “It’s very
tough to lose the missus. I’ve been very fortunate to have something to work
on. I had the material already and was able to get in the studio and get
working, and now I’ve got the tour coming up so that will help to clear my head
a little bit.”
Ray
Shasho:Robin, I can’t believe it’s the fortieth
anniversary of ‘Bridge of Sighs.’ It seems like yesterday when I bought the
album right after its release in 1974.
Robin
Trower: I know …I don’t
want to even think about it. (All laughing)
Ray
Shasho:The album’s title and legendary track “Bridge
of Sighs” has been speculated for years to be named after a bridge in Venice
Italy. Apparently the view from the ‘Bridge of Sighs’ was the last view of
Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. It’s also
the name of a famous poem of 1844 by Thomas Hood concerning the
suicide of a homeless young woman who threw herself from Waterloo
Bridge in London. Was the title inspired by either of these
circumstances?
Robin
Trower: “I actually had the piece of music and the
verse for several months and one day I opened the sports pages of the newspaper
and there was a horse running that day called ‘Bridge of Sighs.’ I just
thought, oh, what a great title, I wonder if I could make it work with the song
that I’m working on … and it worked! When I saw the name of the horse called
‘Bridge of Sighs’ I immediately thought about the story of the bridge in
Venice, so it is connected to that. The horse wouldn’t have been called that if
it wasn’t for the bridge in Venice.”
“When I was writing
material for the new album coming out, I was reading an article about an
author, and they mentioned a friend of his who is a lady author named Jean
Rhys, and they mentioned the title of her famous book ‘Good Morning, Midnight’
and I thought, oh, I’ve got to have that, and I’ve written a song coming from
that title. You stumble across these things and they spark something off in
your mind.”
Ray
Shasho:In my opinion, track per track,
the “Bridge of Sighs” album is among the Top- 10 albums in rock history.
Robin
Trower: “Thank you
very much … well a lot of that is due to the fantastic singing of James Dewar.
I always thought his vocals are what made it commercial, so it would be played
on the radio. He had a beautiful voice and was very soulful.”
Ray
Shasho:James Dewar was my favorite vocalist; he was mesmerizing and just
incredible to listen to.
“Bridge
of Sighs” has to be one of your favorites to perform in concert.
Robin
Trower: “No doubt about
it! It has a real power to it and once you start it, it takes on a life of its
own.”
Ray
Shasho:There are also a lot of funkier rock riffs on
the album like …“Day of the Eagle,” “The Fool and Me,” “Lady Love,” and
“Little Bit of Sympathy.”
Robin
Trower: ““The Fool and Me” was definitely inspired by
James Brown. “Too Rolling Stoned” I think is also James Brown influenced, in
fact there are some changes on that when it goes to the turnaround, I actually
lifted those changes from a James Brown song called “Down And Out In New York
City.” If there was anyone you could call genius it was James Brown, he just
had the most incredible voice and it would tear the heart right out of you…
just wonderful! He and Dinah Washington are my favorite singers. I was
fortunate to see James Brown perform at his peak; he came over to London in
1965.”
Ray
Shasho:I chatted with Randy Bachman (BTO) recently
and he told me that he’s always heard music in his head. He was quite surprised
that so many people didn’t share the same experience that he had since he was a
young boy. Do you agree that musicians have that special gift?
Robin
Trower: “You are born with a gift and I do
believe that. Here’s my take on it, I think anybody and everybody can learn to
play music up to their efficiency, but to be a creative person, that’s the gift
you have to have to take it somewhere.”
Ray
Shasho:Robin thank you so much for
being on the call today … we’re all looking forward to the brand new CD
sometime at the beginning of 2015, and the tour which kicks off October 4th in
St. Louis, Missouri. I’ll be there in St. Pete, Florida to review the show.
Robin
Trower: “Hopefully you
can stop by and we’ll have a chat, thanks Ray
‘Roots and Branches
‘Track listings: 1) Hound Dog 2) The Thrill is Gone 3)When I Heard Your Name 4) Little Red Rooster5) I Believe To My Soul6)Shape Of Things to Come 7) That’s Alright Mama 8) Save Your Love 9) Born
Under a Bad Sign 10) Sheltered Moon 11) See My Life
Very
special thanks to the legendary‘Derek Sutton’and David
Maida
COMING
UP NEXT … Country
music’s shining new star -19 year old Mary Sarah…
Don
Wilson guitarist,
pioneer, and co-founder of ‘The Ventures’… Folk/Rock singer &
songwriter Jonathan Edwards (“Sunshine”)
Contact music journalist Ray Shasho at
rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com
Purchase Ray’s very
special memoir called ‘Check the Gs’ -The
True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business …
You’ll LIVE IT! Also available for download on NOOK or KINDLE edition for JUST
.99 CENTS at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com
- Please support Ray by purchasing his book so he
can continue to bring you quality classic rock music reporting.
“Check the Gs is just
a really cool story ... and it’s real. I’d like to see the kid on the front
cover telling his story in a motion picture, TV sitcom or animated series. The
characters in the story definitely jump out of the book and come to life. Very
funny and scary moments throughout the story and I just love the way Ray timeline’s
historical events during his lifetime. Ray’s love of rock music was evident
throughout the book and it generates extra enthusiasm when I read his on-line
classic rock music column. It’s a wonderful read for everyone!”
…stillerb47@gmail.com
Robin Trower has
everlastingly mesmerized rock enthusiasts across the planet with his
intricate heavy rock and blues harmonics. The master of the Stratocaster recently released roots and branches an
inventive mix of cover tunes spotlighting Robin’s favorite R&B,
blues and early rock ‘n’ roll classics compiled with several explosive
new tracks of Trower material.
The most memorable cover tracks of roots and branches is Trower’s impressive blues rendition of the Willie Dixon penned, “Little Red Rooster,”
Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s, “That’s Alright (Mama),” and the Booker T.
Jones/ William Bell composition “Born Under a Bad Sign.” Robin Trower
instills the magic of his own genius into these timeless classics.
Trower’s heavier rock and blues adaptation of “That’s Alright Mama”
should inspire generations for years to come.
My favorite tunes on roots and branches are the back to basics Trower arrangements of “See My Life” and “Sheltered Moon.” “See My Life” runs deep; it’s an incredible hard rockin’ blues composition that wails … Trower Power! Robin Trower has also established himself as a first-rate rock vocalist. Although Trower contributed vocals while with Procol Harum,
during his quintessential period with legendary music partner and
friend James Dewar … Trower’s only voice contribution to the classic
lineup was a short dialogue at the beginning of the track, “Twice Removed from Yesterday. …I gave roots and branches (5) five stars.
The BEGINNING: In 1960, the British guitarist formed
The Paramounts, which would eventually evolve into the progressive rock
band Procol Harum. The Paramounts
lone hit was a cover version of The Coasters classic, “Poison Ivy”
(1964 #35 U.K Singles Chart). The Paramounts split-up in 1966.
PROCOL HARUM was formed in 1967 by The Paramounts
Gary Brooker, lyricist Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher, Ray Royer and Dave
Knights. After the immediate success of their Top 40 hit single, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (#5 U.S. Charts), the band added former Paramounts drummer B.J. Wilson and Robin Trower who
replaced Ray Royer on guitar. The new lineup strengthened the band
musically in preparation for touring. Ex Paramount Chris Copping joined
the band by Procol Harum’s fourth release. The group scored Top 40
commercial success again in 1972 with the hit single, “Conquistador” (#16 on Billboard’s Hot 100). Progressive rock pioneers Procol Harum familiarized the world with their eclectic mix of symphonic rock, blues and R&B music.
Robin Trower recorded five studio albums as a member of the group … Procol Harum (1967), Shine on Brightly (1968), A Salty Dog (1969), Home (1970) and Broken Barricades (1971). Robin Trower later appeared on The Prodigal Stranger (1991) and The Long Goodbye (1995).
Trower left Procol Harum to form his own band. He teamed up briefly
with singer/songwriter Frankie Miller, drummer Clive Bunker (Jethro
Tull) and bassist/vocalist James Dewar (Stone The Crows) to form Jude. The group never recorded an album and soon disbanded.
THE POWER TRIO: In 1973, the inception of a new power trio would epitomize what would become Robin Trower. James Dewar on lead vocals and bass, Robin Trower on guitars and Reg Isidore on drums launched their brilliant debut album entitled, Twice Removed From Yesterday. Most
of the songs on the album were written by Trower and Dewar. The album
was the first of many recorded on the British Chrysalis Record label
created by Chris Wright and Terry Ellis (Jethro Tull).
Robin Trower’s guitar styles were immediately correlated with Jim Hendrix. Critiques hurried to dub him “The White Hendrix.” I say to those critics …
You didn’t listen closely enough to the music. From the
very beginning, Trower developed a very unique style of his own.
Trower’s ingredients included a heavy dose of hypnotic rock with
progressive, blues, acid rock and R&B overtones. The metaphysical
lyrical content was delivered by the commanding voice of James Dewar.
The mesmerizing musical qualities of Trower and Dewar instantly
transported the listener’s mind musically into other worlds and
dimensions. Of course there were guitar techniques that were
similarities to Hendrix but Trower grasped the means and created a brave
new style.
Robin Trower’s next album, Bridge of Sighs (#7
on the U.S. Charts) became a huge commercial success and one of the
most critically acclaimed albums in rock history. It was now evident
that the band had created a certain musical mystique and allure over its
listeners. Every song on the album was brilliantly composed and
performed. The title track, “Bridge of Sighs” would become Robin Trower’s anthem.
In 1975, Robin Trower released For Earth Below. A magnificently engineered album produced by Procol Harum bandmate Matthew Fisher. Fisher also produced the first two Trower albums but this would be his last. Drummer Reg Isidore was replaced with Bill Lordan (Sly & The Family Stone). Long Misty Days was released in 1976. The album reflected vintage Trower arrangements while the single, “Caledonia” actually found its way onto mainstream radio playlists. The album, Robin Trower Live was also released that same year.
In 1977, Rustee Allen
(Sly & The Family Stone) was brought in to play bass so James Dewar
could relax his role as the bands lead vocalist. The group also
established itself as a mega concert attraction selling out arenas and
stadiums worldwide and appearing on national television and radio
syndicated music shows. In City Dreams, their fifth studio album was also released that year and became the bands fifth consecutive certified gold album.
Robin Trower Live releases … Robin Trower Live (1976), Beyond The Mist (1985), Live In Concert (1992), In Concert (1996), King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Robin Trower (1996), This Was Now ’74-’98(1999), Living Out Of Time (2005), RT @ RO 08(2008), Robin Trower at The BBC 1973-1975(2011).
In 1981, Robin Trower began a musical collaboration with Jack Bruce (Cream vocalist and bassist) with their debut album B.L.T. (Bruce - Lordan -Trower).
Subsequent albums featuring Jack Bruce on vocals and bass … Truce (1981), Seven Moons (2008) and Seven Moons Live (2009).
The 1983 release Back It Up brought in Dave Bronze on bass and Alan Clarke on drums. It would also be the final album featuring their legendary vocalist James Dewar.
In 1987, longtime Trower lead vocalist and bassist James Dewar became
disabled after a medical error damaged his brain. A new Trower lineup
was announced that included vocalist Davey Pattison of the Ronnie Montrose inspired rock band Gamma. The band released the album Passion.
Subsequent albums with Davey Pattison on vocals … Take What You Need (1988), In the Line of Fire (1990), Living Out of Time (2003), Another Days Blues (2005), RT @ RO 08(2009) and The Playful Heart (2010).
Robin Trower began a musical collaboration with Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music) in 1993 on the album Taxi which he also co-produced.
Subsequent albums with Bryan Ferry… Mamouna (1994) and Dylanesque (2007).
Robin Trower’s incomparable vocalist and bassist James Dewar died in 2002. Longtime Trower drummer Reg Isidore died in 2009.
I had the great pleasure of chatting with Robin Trower recently about his latest album roots and branches and
about an amazing music career that has spanned over five decades. He’s a
soft spoken gentleman and just a really nice guy. It became evident to
me that his love of writing music, creating new ideas and playing the
guitar, always has and will forever be his passion. He also hinted about
another new Robin Trower album.
Robin had recently celebrated his 68th birthday.
Here’s my interview with guitar virtuoso/singer/songwriter/ producer … ROBIN TROWER. Ray Shasho: Hello Robin …happy belated birthday to you! Robin Trower: “Hello Ray and thank you very much.” Ray Shasho: How’s the weather in London? Robin Trower: “Very cold and a lot of snow about, not as much here in Hampshire but in Sussex they’ve had a helluva lot of snow.” Ray Shasho: Your manager Derek Sutton called me earlier to
make sure I was onboard with the time change. I consider Derek one of
the very few geniuses left in the music industry. He sounds like a great
guy too; it must be a pleasure to work with Derek. Robin Trower: “Yes, fantastic, he looks after me and
made it possible for me to make the music that I want to make and the
records that I want to make.” Ray Shasho: British artists I’ve interviewed tell me, while
growing up in England; it was difficult to find radio stations to listen
to early American blues and rock and roll. In fact, there weren’t many
radio stations at all? Robin Trower: “It was difficult, especially to get a
hold of black music. Basically we only had one radio station and that
was the BBC, they didn’t play rock and roll until they brought in Radio
1. But there were people who would bring music in and buy records from
America. I was lucky enough to know a guy that had a communication with
somebody at a record store in Memphis, and he used to send him a lot of
stuff. So I was really lucky and got to hear music that a lot of other
people weren’t hearing in Britain.” Ray Shasho: I heard that black music… or early American blues, were only heard on underground radio stations. Robin Trower: “Music like Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy
Waters, when they first came out in America, it was not released in
Britain. So we got it a bit later. Also a guy named Guy Stevens opened
up a specialist label called Pye International and he used to bring in
stuff like that and release it in Britain.” Ray Shasho: Robin, I understand that you were heavily influenced by R&B music, who was your favorite artist? Robin Trower: “Early James Brown was a very big
influence for me; he’s still my favorite artist even now, especially his
live albums like, ‘Live at The Apollo’ which is exceptional and so
inspired me. He set a standard with his band and his music and took it
to a whole new level, it became a benchmark. Not only that, obviously
there was a lot of other music, like I said …Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters,
B.B. King, Albert King being my favorite blues guitar player, Jimi Hendrix
my favorite rock and roll guitar player … there’s a lot of people who
are important to me. But I was definitely inspired by rhythm and blues
and popular music from America.” Ray Shasho: Music critics always used to compare you to Jimi
Hendrix … maybe some of your techniques were similar but I always heard a
totally different sound and style. Robin Trower: “Obviously he was a big influence on
me, especially early on when I first started my band. But I always felt
the songwriting and music I wrote were definitely my own.” Ray Shasho: I really enjoyed your new release roots and branches and especially the way you added your signature sound to those classic cover tunes that obviously meant a lot to you. Robin Trower: “Yea, these are some of the songs that
got me interested in music, wanting to play guitar and all that kind of
thing when I was young and they’re still some of my favorite songs,
just great songs.” Ray Shasho: My favorite song on the album was not a cover
tune; it’s a brand new composition entitled “See My Life,” an incredible
tune that wails Trower Power! Robin Trower: “That’s the only song on there that
was actually done live. Actually the whole thing went down in one take.
Most of it was recorded in the same studio apart from some of the
overdubs; the organ was done at a different studio and I did a couple of
vocals when we were mixing at Livingstone Brown’s Studio.” Ray Shasho: My favorite cover tune on the album was “That’s Alright Mama” …just fantastic! Robin Trower: “Thank you very much. With that one
and “Hound Dog” I was more thinking about the original versions … the
original, “That’s All Right” being Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup and the
original, “Hound Dog” was Big Mama Thornton. With all the old songs that
I’ve done versions of I didn’t go and listen to them, I just did them
roughly from memory because I didn’t want to be influenced at all by the
original version. I just used a skeleton idea of the song and came up
with my own music for it, more or less like I’ve written the tune myself
and came up with it.” Ray Shasho: It’s amazing how many artists have made a living
recording and playing mostly cover tunes. I think in your case it’s the
complete opposite, that’s why this latest album is so rare and
different. Robin Trower: “I’ve been very fortunate …I continue
to write and continue to come up with ideas. I’m very lucky in that way.
I’ve obviously written a lot of songs and I’m still churning them out.
The engine is my love of playing the guitar, that’s what drives the
whole thing along.” Ray Shasho: You’ve also stayed motivated, which is difficult
to do, especially as we get older. How do you continue to stay so
motivated? Robin Trower: “The thing is …you always think the
next thing you do is going to be great. That’s it! I’m going to do
something great one day. Keep trying to do that thing that you’re going
to be really-really happy with.” Ray Shasho: Robin, you’ve already done so many great things. Robin Trower: “I’m not ready to give up yet though.
This morning I finished the arrangement for the eleventh new song, which
I feel there’s enough for a new album.” Ray Shasho: What is your process for writing new material? Robin Trower: “I just write on guitar. I’ve got one
of these Sony professional handheld recorders and I use a notepad to jot
down all the ideas as I go. I’m continually updating it as I improve an
idea until I’m happy with the material.” Ray Shasho: There’s a new Jimi Hendrix album out entitled,
People, Hell and Angels with twelve unreleased studio recordings and
featuring guest artists. I was wondering if you listened to the album
and also I understand you met Hendrix, but only briefly. Robin Trower: “I haven’t heard it … but I’ll have to
look out for it, if you say it’s good. I met Hendrix briefly while
playing with Procol Harum; we were on the bill with him in Berlin. It
was just a hello and goodbye sort of thing and that was it.” Ray Shasho:In my opinion, James Dewar was
one of the greatest rock voices the world has ever known, and an awesome
bass player. The musical chemistry between you and he was so incredibly
powerful, and the songs were mesmerizing. Robin Trower: “Well, hopefully that’s what you hope
to achieve with music, to make people feel like it’s taking them
somewhere, that’s the ideal effect you should have with music. Jimmy was
very gifted and he had a wonderful voice. We had a fantastic
relationship, we were like brothers. We worked very-very well together;
he was such a sweet guy.” Ray Shasho:Not a lot is mentioned about how
Jimmy Dewar left us. What I’ve read was a medical error left him
handicapped and then years later he had a stroke that ended his life. Robin Trower: “I’m not really sure and I don’t think
anyone is really sure what happened. I spoke to his wife after it
happened and she didn’t even seem certain about it, it’s just one of
those things you know … but something happened.” Ray Shasho: Do you still speak with Jimmy’s children? Robin Trower: “Whenever I’m touring in Britain, I
usually play Glasgow and see all three of his daughters. They’re all in
their late 30’s or so now.” Ray Shasho: I’d have a hard time visualizing Robin Trower
playing acoustic guitar onstage, has it ever crossed your mind during
your career? Robin Trower: “Not really. I’m not very good at
acoustic guitar playing really (laughing). I enjoy working on it because
it gives you a different texture and maybe pushes you in different
areas. But I play electric guitar, that’s my instrument.” Ray Shasho: I heard you had a reunion with your old bandmates The Paramounts? Robin Trower: “Yea, actually four years ago we did a
Christmas show at one of the little Pubs we used to play in when we
were together. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it. The
Paramounts were a good little band. We never broke through into the
mainstream but we did quite well.” Ray Shasho: Then of course many of your Paramount bandmates morphed into Procol Harum. Robin Trower: “Gary Brooker started writing and that was really the core of Procol Harum … his composition.” Ray Shasho: Procol Harum is a great band but I’m so glad that
you left; the world may never have found out who the real Robin Trower
was. Robin Trower: “I wouldn’t have found out. (All
laughing) They were writing so many songs and pieces and there wasn’t
any room for me, so I had to leave.” Ray Shasho: The first time I heard you sing I was completely
blown away because you never sang. I think the only time I ever heard
your voice during the James Dewar days was on the beginning of “Twice
Removed From Yesterday” correct? Robin Trower: “Yes, I did a talking thing, and that
was the only vocals I did while Jimmy was with me. I hadn’t been
singing because we had such great singers. But I did sing in Procol
Harum.” Ray Shasho: “I think you’re a great singer.” I became a fan of Robin Trower as a singer on the album Go My Way, especially the tracks “Breathless” and “Go My Way.” I thought the album was exceptionally good. Robin Trower: “Thank you! I think what’s interesting
when you are singing is that you’re writing is different and I think
that’s given me a different outlet musically, because I’m working on the
voice rather than coming up with a melody idea. It’s been a completely
different thing and that’s been very interesting and in particular with
this new batch of songs I’ve come up with, it definitely led me into
some different areas.” Ray Shasho: How about a sneak preview of what we may expect on the next album once it’s completed? Robin Trower: “It flows on from roots and branches, that’s what I would say. I think roots and branches have
opened up an avenue in terms of the writing and I’m really enjoying the
moment, its seeming to come together really great.” Ray Shasho:Robin, I ask this question to
everyone that I interview. If you had a ‘Field of Dreams Wish’ like the
movie, to play, sing or collaborate with anyone from the past or
present, who would that be? Robin Trower: “I would play with James Brown.” Ray Shasho: “I figured it would either be James Brown or Jimi Hendrix.” Robin Trower: “No, I wouldn’t play with Jimi Hendrix, he’s too good. (All laughing)” Ray Shasho:Thank you Robin for being on the
call today and more importantly for all the incredible music you give
to us. Go on tour soon and please don’t forget about Florida dates. Robin Trower: “I sure will it’s been nice talking with you Ray … Cheers!”
Robin Trower official website www.trowerpower.com
Order roots and branches Robin Trower’s very latest release at amazon.com
Very special thanks to “The Great” Derek Sutton and David Maida.
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It’s a great gift for your “over-the-hill” friends, or for their kids,
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