#1911380 - 03/17/08 05:39 PM
Robin Trower In Concert
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9006
Loc: rural PA
|
Offline
|
|
I had the chance to see Robin Trower Live for the first time last Thursday night. I've loved Robin's stuff for ever, and wore out the groove in my original vinyl LP's of "Bridge Of Sighs", and "For Earth Below", but never had a chance to see him.
I was sitting practically on the stage, on stage right, Trower's side. I was probably 8 yards from him.
Robin is totally unassuming. He walks on stage, picks up his Strat, and gets the band together, and goes to work.
First thing I noticed is that he has total respect for the song. He plays the song. No showing off, really. He plays with amazing control. He's a guy that could just let it rip at any time, with impunity, and about as good as anyone that ever played blues rock. But, he rarely let's go. He makes you WANT IT!! LOL Smart man....... Also, his dynamics live are as good as anyone I've seen.
His tone is incredibly good. He plays one of those reissue sunburst Strats with the big '70's head. He uses a "Univibe" type pedal, likely the Fulltone, although I couldn't see it behind his stage monitor. He does use a Fulltone Clyde Deluxe Wah....he uses it a lot, and very very well. He's playing thru what looked like one of Marshall's reissue "Vintage" heads....I'd bet it's the 100 watt, but it might be the 50 watt, or the JTM-45 reissue......I couldn't tell. He only had this head powered up. He also had what looked like a JCM-800 head, but it was never turned on. Each head rested on a Marshall 4x12 wrapped in brown tolex....I'd never seen one before.
Robin's tone is MUCH MORE than his equipment, however. He plays very interesting voicings of most chords....the voicings he uses gives him a very full, wide and powerful tone. I hope I explained that well. I bet that I could play my version of what ever chord he's playing, on his exact rig, and there is no way it would sound as powerful as his playing. And, he knows how to get the most out of a univibe!!!
I had a great time seeing him, and would highly recommend that any of you that can catch him, DO SO!!! DON'T MISS HIM!!
btw.....I called this venue (the same place where I had my interaction with Neil Geraldo LOL) and asked about cameras before I left home.
In my honor, they now say "no professional cameras or lenses", but personal cameras are fine, just no flash in the first 8 rows.!! 
Here are some pics from the show;
Edited by mdrs (03/17/08 05:44 PM)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1911393 - 03/17/08 05:49 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: mdrs]
|
GuitarPlayerFL
Platinum Member
Registered: 10/06/02
Posts: 1184
Loc: Florida
|
|
Offline
|
|
Are you sure that isn't Jimmy Carter? 
Trower is in my Top 3 Rock player category. I loved the "Live" album in 1975. He's got great tone. First saw him in 1977 within a few weeks of the King Biscuit Radio show concert. The last time I saw him about 8 years ago, he didn't play many old songs. 
I just wish he would quit making faces with his mouth when he plays!
_________________________
A great Jazz/Chord Melody Master (my former instructor) >> Robert Conti http://www.robertconti.comLP, Strat, Tele, PV Wolfgang, POD, JTM 45, Duncan Conv. Keys: RD700SX, XP-10, Karma, CZ-1000, TX81Z
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1911438 - 03/17/08 07:45 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: GuitarPlayerFL]
|
Soulrock
Senior Member
Registered: 03/23/07
Posts: 323
Loc: Seattle, Wa
|
|
Offline
|
|
I saw Robin a couple of years ago. I was right up front and got a good look at his peddle board. It looked like a Fulltone add LOL. He put on a great show. I don't remember the brown Marshall cab, but I think he was using the same head. I missed James Dewar's vocals, but it was still a blast. Not that the guy that he had singing was bad, but James had one of the all time great rock and roll voices in my opinion.
BTW Doc, cool pic's. Too bad you couldn't use your other camera, but at least the venue has a clear policy now.
Edited by Soulrock (03/17/08 08:16 PM)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1912046 - 03/18/08 09:10 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: Strategery]
|
R.F.T
Gold Member
Registered: 07/26/06
Posts: 688
Loc: some where lost in the Temple
|
|
Offline
|
|
I saw Robin years ago at a small club in the Bay Area. Great pics Don!
_________________________
What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate, and give music
What can this thing be that I found?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1912252 - 03/19/08 07:36 AM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: R.F.T]
|
Danzilla
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 01/09/04
Posts: 3514
Loc: Baltimore, MD
|
|
Offline
|
|
I know he's a Strat man, but do you think he might be inclined to use this guitar
 and dig out his old Procol Harum tune, "Whiskey Train"?
Manne guitar made out of whiskey casks: read about it here .
_________________________
"Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) My Band's website
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1912264 - 03/19/08 07:50 AM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: mdrs]
|
sixwasnine
Senior Member
Registered: 01/25/01
Posts: 40
Loc: Queens, NY
|
|
Offline
|
|
I saw Robin last night at BB King's in NYC. Great, great show. Beautiful guitar work. Definitely an underappreciated talent.
As stunning as Robin's solos are, the one take-away lesson from the show was how important it is to craft interesting rhythm parts. Robin rarely plays anything resembling a power chord. Instead, his rhythms are root notes, chord fragments, fills, and melody lines. Makes the songs much more interesting to listen to, and I'm sure to play as well.
One thing I've gotta mention is the volume at the show. I know part of Robin's sound is volume, but it was ridiculous last night, maybe it was him, the venue itself, the soundperson, I don't know. The singer (who has a really good voice) sounded like he was straining to be heard. And me, I was standing in the back all night, with earplugs, and my ears are ringing this morning. That's just wrong.
Steven
_________________________
"And the guitar players look damaged
They've been outcasts all their lives"
-Jagger/Richards-
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1912638 - 03/19/08 04:57 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: sixwasnine]
|
dreibel
Senior Member
Registered: 12/25/01
Posts: 289
Loc: Toronto,,CANADA
|
|
Offline
|
|
One thing I've gotta mention is the volume at the show. I know part of Robin's sound is volume, but it was ridiculous last night, maybe it was him, the venue itself, the soundperson, I don't know. The singer (who has a really good voice) sounded like he was straining to be heard.
singer is Davey Pattison, and he's been with Robin for well over a decade. In fact, one of his previous gigs was the lead singer in Ronnie Montrose's other band Gamma.
_________________________
"I used to be "with it", but then they changed what "it" was! Now what I'm with isn't "it", and what is "it" is weird and scary to me. IT'LL HAPPEN TO YOU!" - Grampa Simpson
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1912641 - 03/19/08 05:00 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: sixwasnine]
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9006
Loc: rural PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
I saw Robin last night at BB King's in NYC. Great, great show. Beautiful guitar work. Definitely an underappreciated talent.
As stunning as Robin's solos are, the one take-away lesson from the show was how important it is to craft interesting rhythm parts. Robin rarely plays anything resembling a power chord. Instead, his rhythms are root notes, chord fragments, fills, and melody lines. Makes the songs much more interesting to listen to, and I'm sure to play as well.
One thing I've gotta mention is the volume at the show. I know part of Robin's sound is volume, but it was ridiculous last night, maybe it was him, the venue itself, the soundperson, I don't know. The singer (who has a really good voice) sounded like he was straining to be heard. And me, I was standing in the back all night, with earplugs, and my ears are ringing this morning. That's just wrong.
Steven
Hey Steve....I appreciate the description of how he plays "chords". I've no formal training, and didn't know how to describe what he was doing with his "chord voicings".
I've been to shows at BB Kings, and that isn't a very big room. I saw him at a much larger sized room, with a three story high ceiling. That, and the fact that I was sitting on the side of the stage and essentially behind the P.A. must have helped, as it wasn't too loud the night I saw him.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1912677 - 03/19/08 05:58 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: mdrs]
|
GuitarPlayerFL
Platinum Member
Registered: 10/06/02
Posts: 1184
Loc: Florida
|
|
Offline
|
|
Hey Steve....I appreciate the description of how he plays "chords". I've no formal training, and didn't know how to describe what he was doing with his "chord voicings".
The funny thing is, neither does Robin!
I read the cover story of him in GP in 1980 and he stated he barely knows basic music theory and doesn't know the chord forms he plays either...he just makes it up! I was blown away because, as a 13 year old in the mid-70s, I thought he was a theory god to make his tunes up!
_________________________
A great Jazz/Chord Melody Master (my former instructor) >> Robert Conti http://www.robertconti.comLP, Strat, Tele, PV Wolfgang, POD, JTM 45, Duncan Conv. Keys: RD700SX, XP-10, Karma, CZ-1000, TX81Z
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1912752 - 03/19/08 08:01 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: GuitarPlayerFL]
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9006
Loc: rural PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
That's very cool.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1912856 - 03/20/08 01:17 AM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: Danzilla]
|
skipclone 1
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/21/03
Posts: 3852
Loc: Japan
|
|
Offline
|
|
I know he's a Strat man, but do you think he might be inclined to use this guitar and dig out his old Procol Harum tune, "Whiskey Train"? Manne guitar made out of whiskey casks: read about it here .
Wow, Manne guitars-cool! I have some info on their standard model electrics. The `Taos` looks interesting. I have gotten to know a guy from Italy, seriously considering dropping in on him this summer. Italy has some really fascinating makers, Storm guitars is another.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1912887 - 03/20/08 04:29 AM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: skipclone 1]
|
Trucks
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 02/04/06
Posts: 5584
Loc: the united britain great kingd...
|
|
Offline
|
|
What a cool strat he is playing!
Hey Don, do you have some of those 70's strats with the big ole headstock?
_________________________
"do I see a vacuum there, or am I b-goin' blind.."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1912926 - 03/20/08 06:18 AM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: Trucks]
|
rickygclef
Gold Member
Registered: 06/14/07
Posts: 547
Loc: LI, NY
|
|
Offline
|
|
Nice pics Don!
He's playing tonight in Huntington @ Inter-Art Center.
Maybe I'll go check it out.
As someone pointed out, very good article in current GP with
Alan Holdsworth on the cover. He goes into detail about gear. That's a Fulltone Deja-Vibe that he uses along with Fulltone OCD
and Fulltone Clyde 2 wah. Says in article that in US he uses
2 Marshall JCM800's-100 watt.
In the studio he said he uses a Blues Jr.and a Cornell Plexi 20watt.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913053 - 03/20/08 09:30 AM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: rickygclef]
|
02R96
Senior Member
Registered: 11/04/07
Posts: 136
|
|
Offline
|
|
Those faces... It looks like he's passing a stone!
<grin>
_________________________
Dan
(I hate who I've become, trying to escape who I am...)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913283 - 03/20/08 01:54 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: Trucks]
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9006
Loc: rural PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
What a cool strat he is playing!
Hey Don, do you have some of those 70's strats with the big ole headstock?
No, I don't have a big headstock Strat. Only little ones...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913284 - 03/20/08 01:57 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: rickygclef]
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9006
Loc: rural PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Nice pics Don!
He's playing tonight in Huntington @ Inter-Art Center.
Maybe I'll go check it out.
As someone pointed out, very good article in current GP with
Alan Holdsworth on the cover. He goes into detail about gear. That's a Fulltone Deja-Vibe that he uses along with Fulltone OCD
and Fulltone Clyde 2 wah. Says in article that in US he uses
2 Marshall JCM800's-100 watt.
In the studio he said he uses a Blues Jr.and a Cornell Plexi 20watt.
Hey, you should go, Ricky!!
I grew up in Huntington.....although that "Inter Art" center didn't exist way back in the stone ages....
His two heads were different....the one that you can see in the pic I posted looked like a Vintage series Plexi Marshall. The other one, that was to the left of the one pictured had that classic front grill like the old JCM-800's.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913351 - 03/20/08 04:52 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: mdrs]
|
rickygclef
Gold Member
Registered: 06/14/07
Posts: 547
Loc: LI, NY
|
|
Offline
|
|
Don
I remember you grew up in Huntington. It probably was a movie theatre back when you where there. It right in Huntington Village It's actually known as IMAC http://www.imactheater.org/index.html
Robin Trower's still some player that's for sure.
Can't catch him tonight , but I'm going to see if he's headed anywhere else in the area over the weekend.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913353 - 03/20/08 04:55 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: rickygclef]
|
Hardtail
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 09/18/05
Posts: 5691
Loc: Long Island
|
|
Offline
|
|
Don
Robin Trower's still some player that's for sure.
Can't catch him tonight , but I'm going to see if he's headed anywhere else in the area over the weekend.
I wanted to see that one tonight too.
Hey... are you going to the Beacon in May to see the Allman Brothers?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913355 - 03/20/08 04:58 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: Hardtail]
|
rickygclef
Gold Member
Registered: 06/14/07
Posts: 547
Loc: LI, NY
|
|
Offline
|
|
[
I wanted to see that one tonight too.
Hey... are you going to the Beacon in May to see the Allman Brothers?
No , but now that you mention I might!
I think I should be able to get a ticket to one of those shows;
The Allman Brothers Band
May 5-6, 8-10, 12-13, 15-17,19-20, 22-24 at Beacon Theatre
They have no problem selling out around here that's for sure.
The Beacon is a great place to see a show too, not too big.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913391 - 03/20/08 06:54 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: rickygclef]
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9006
Loc: rural PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
As HT knows, I've got going to see The Allmans on May 17th...I lucked into lower balcony dead center.
I can't wait.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913553 - 03/21/08 07:25 AM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: mdrs]
|
cool9
Member
Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
Offline
|
|
I saw him in Philly and BB King's Blues Club on Wednesday, exactly in the same place you were sitting. In fact, my photos look exactly the same.
Yeah, he tore it up. His transitions and progressions are phenomenal. His chords are so colorful. In fact, in one of the interviews on the net he's asked about his comparison to Hendrix early on and Robin says "I always thought I had more in the compositional area" or something to that effect.
Trower said there were a few albums he really hated, especially in the 80's where they tried to be kind of poppish. He said he really hated "In the Line of Fire".
He says he plays the same Fender Robin Trower Signature Strat that you can pick up at the store.
The crowd looked like a regular dinner crowd. The average age was maybe 50 and there was like no one there under 30.
He had a beautiful sound in "For Earth Below", "No Time" is always a great song. I think his best song in concert is "The Fool and Me". Lots of funk and searing solo. He's cut "Too Rolling Stoned" short which got my gord.
I'm going to HOB in Cleveland in a few weeks to see him again.
Incredible sound.
I loved the drummer, the bassist (some good chords during "Bridge of Sighs") and I've finally taken a good liking to Davey Pattison after all these years. He fits the bill well.
I hope this isn't his last tour.
Edited by cool9 (03/21/08 07:41 AM)
Edit Reason: add
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913584 - 03/21/08 08:08 AM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: cool9]
|
Danzilla
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 01/09/04
Posts: 3514
Loc: Baltimore, MD
|
|
Offline
|
|
I'm sorry to hear him say that he hated "In The Line of Fire". I thought that and "Take What You Need" were great albums- more modern song structure/production & backing band (Dave Bronze on bass!!!), Pattison's strong vocals, but Robin's playing was still pretty much his classic style. And it all fit well. I saw him live back them, and was kinda bummed that he played the whole Bridge of Sighs album but only one or two newer tunes. Nothing against BOS, mind you. 21st Century Blues is another newer one that I liked. Hope he didn't hate that one, too.
Other favs: Victims of the Fury (though they fade out too soon on some of the songs- like he's just getting started and they needed to cut it down to a radio-friendly length), TRUCE, some of In City Dreams. Need to get more of his recent stuff.
_________________________
"Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) My Band's website
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913642 - 03/21/08 09:38 AM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: Danzilla]
|
cool9
Member
Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
Offline
|
|
He said he uses all Fulltone effects including the "Deji Vibe". He said he finds them to be the best.
Yeah, "20th Century Blues" I think he really turned it up more than a few notches and made a great statement plus some excellent straight Blues stuff.
The new "Seven Moons" is disappointing just like the other Bruce/Trower collaborations. The first few songs have potential but the others you will never remember.
He is one of the greatest Strat players, in my opinion.
I don't know what kind of relationship he has with other players like Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Joe Satriani, etc. (I know he re-made "Manic Depression" w/Beck) but he never mentions any of these guys in interviews. He mentions favorite contemporary players of his most of which you've never heard of.
Edited by cool9 (03/21/08 09:43 AM)
Edit Reason: add
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913809 - 03/21/08 02:04 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: cool9]
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9006
Loc: rural PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Hey Cool,
Great pics, and synopsis of the show!!
Could you tell exactly what model the Marshall head he's using is? I THINK it's one of the Vintage series Plexis????
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913885 - 03/21/08 03:58 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: mdrs]
|
cool9
Member
Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
Offline
|
|
I don't know what kind of Marshall. In one of the interviews he says when he records he runs one amp clean and one amp 50% dirty which I thought was clever.
They also advertise an opening act at every show but there never is one. At BB King's they advertised someone named Ophitah Thetrapho or something like that. They did that in Philly but there was no opening act. They're just screwing with your head. I was going to show up late to miss the opening act. I'm glad I didn't.
I was surprised he opened with "Twice Removed from Yesterday". Great rendition.
And actually played 3 songs from "From Earth Below" which was surprising.
Glenn Lesch has his owned designed bass.
I always wished the band would talk to the audience more. They say "Thank you" every now and then. Then "Thanks for coming".
Interview from 2006 w/a great shot of his pedals:
http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/001649.html
My freakin shots didn't come out too well.
Edited by cool9 (03/21/08 04:02 PM)
Edit Reason: add
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913907 - 03/21/08 04:41 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: cool9]
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9006
Loc: rural PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Actually I thought that your photos came out pretty well. What camera were you using?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913993 - 03/21/08 07:45 PM
Re: Robin Trower In Concert
[Re: cool9]
|
GuitarPlayerFL
Platinum Member
Registered: 10/06/02
Posts: 1184
Loc: Florida
|
|
Offline
|
|
The new "Seven Moons" is disappointing just like the other Bruce/Trower collaborations. The first few songs have potential but the others you will never remember.
My mileage differs.
I think the new album is his best in years. 
I thought the first BLT (1981) was decent. My band used
to cover Into Money.
He is one of the greatest Strat players, in my opinion.
Yes, when he plays, you KNOW it's Trower. I love his tone and feel.
_________________________
A great Jazz/Chord Melody Master (my former instructor) >> Robert Conti http://www.robertconti.comLP, Strat, Tele, PV Wolfgang, POD, JTM 45, Duncan Conv. Keys: RD700SX, XP-10, Karma, CZ-1000, TX81Z
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: myles_rose, A String, Bluesape
|
| |
