George Starostin's Reviews

 ROBIN TROWER

READER COMMENTS SECTION

Become a Certified Commentator today by following this link!

!!Before adding new comments, please check the GUIDELINES. Don't say I didn't warn you!!


Introduction

<MOLETRAP@aol.com> (13.05.2000)

i enjoy many guitarists and vocalists talents.trower still remains one of my favorites and dewar as a vocalist cannot be matched! i never had the chance to see trower till a couple yrs ago.i sat about 5 ft in front of him! he just keeps getting better in my opinion.i fail to see very little, if any relationship to hendrix,except the waa waa thing ,but then that would put about 90 percent of the great guitar players in the hendrix copy cat section! its unfortunate that dewars health became an issue. i believe he had so much more to offer us.i have and continue to sing in several rock and rock blues bands.i am not a professional, but am considered quite good (so i hear anyways)....with all the guitarists ive worked with, only one is able to play the trower stuff. the rest openly admit they dont know where to start.im more known for being able to imitate singers, and dewar is extremely hard to emulate, due to his range, phrasing, and soulfullness, of his voice. he also has an incredible falssetto as well.ie ( sailing).

Joachim Pente <Joachim.Pente@t-online.de> (20.08.2000)

I once read in a review in a German music magazine: Robin Trower is a great guitarist, but he's no great musician. I think that's true. I never found myself more eagerly waiting for the solo to come than when listening to any Robin Trower song. Trower would be great, no, marvellous, as a soloist in a concert for guitar and orchestra by, say, Khachatourian. You just don´t want all this singing, drumming, bassing all around even if it's done by James Dewar, who has a fine gravelly voice alright, you just want this fat, lush, greasy, rank guitar tone and you want it to never end. A duel with Rostropovich on cello would be fine.

Dave Salzman <Davis734@aol.com> (18.10.2000)

Greetings -

I was delighted to learn of your sight and it's attention paid to one of rock's most legendary artists; Robin Trower. However, while I agree with most of the praise and credit you have penned, I interpret your negative comments to be sorely inaccurate. For example, you state that his sound was exactly the same on the first 3 solo records!? I say "hogwash"! His sound was evolving on each record and the Bridge of Sighs sound was never heard from again. While Trower's tone is similar on all of his albums, that is only a tribute to him. He has a sound that no one else has. That is the mark of a true icon, a signature tone that only takes one note to distinguish. Secondly, you make the bold statement that RT is "just" a guitarist. Perhaps that is the most grossly inaccurate and tragic of your comments. Robin Trower is a brilliant artist of legendary status that has created so many tremendous compositions that your conclusion borders on preposterous. How can you say that an artist with a 30 year discograhy (of original compositions) like Robin's is just a guitarist? Come on, LISTEN to more than the obvious 3 or 4 songs that come to most peoples minds when they hear Robin Trowers name.......there's so much more! Have you any idea of what the power trio format suggets and the weight on his shoulders? The man has night after night, year after year stepped up to the plate and delivered. He can't have an off night. Like "just the guitar player" in any one of a number of bands out there where the guitar player can take a night off if he's not quite up to the call sometimes, sort of just going through the motions while the rest of the band picks up the slack. Robin Trower is in his own league, and sometimes it's very lonely at the top where most people can't even see you. He is a musical artist that I could imagine Clapton or any of the other so called "stars" being completely in awe of. Just ask Robert Fripp.

[Special author note: specially for Dave and any other Trower fans out there - if it was the word just that pisses you off so much in the phrase 'just a guitarist', I'm ready to change it to 'Trower is a true guitar genius'. But as for 'tremendous compositions', most of them are only tremendous as far as they're dominated by Trower's guitar playing. As for Robert Fripp, I remember the guy praising Trower for "successfully mastering bends and wobbles", which I fully agree with. I don't remember Robert Fripp praising Trower for writing great melodical masterpieces like the Beatles or revolutionizing rock music like Hendrix.]

Dmitry Svetozarov <pl8e2018@peterlink.ru> (30.11.2000)

Hello, why did you give raiting 1? I have all his albums. And what about 20-th century blues? Huh? And, maybe you heard about victims of the fury? Huh? You don`t know him good! In 1976 i listened Robin in USSR! He`s white Hendrix!!! You don`t know him... He`s the best ballad, blues and psychodelic guitarist!!! I suppose, that Caravan to midnight is not a good album. BUT IT`S REAL ROBIN TROWER!!! HE`S BETTER, THAN JIMMY PAGE AND ANOTHER!!! I like his blues. And it`s bad, that they all are forgotten now. It`s real music!!!

Mouth of Clay <mouthofclay@hotmail.com> (12.01.2001)

What can I say about Robin?Well,one of the main reasons I started out playing,was that I heard & ofcourse,LOVED his sound!He did some albums that wasn't so great, but I'm almost shure that it was troubles with the Label,& he was just doin things to get the contract finished...Albums like Bridge of sighs Twice removed from yesterday For earth below Victims of the fury 20th century blues Live in Stockholm Long misty days are the albums I ADORE! Thats the greatest albums EVER made! So,if you like the Trower,Zeppelin,Mountain,Free,Govt Mule sound,check us out...

Dave <dadawson@mindspring.com> (28.11.2001)

I read your comments about Robin Trower very carefully and wanted to give my view point on this great musician and guitar player. I first of Robin Trower when a friend loan me a cd of bridge of sighs. I was totally amazed on the guitar licks and the variety of songs from heavy guitar work of too rolling stone to the more soft music of about to begin. I then went purchased bridge of sighs as well essentials of Robin Trower. As time went by, I went to cdnow.com and purchased the early work like for earth below, twice remove from yesterday, and long misty days. There all unqiue with a variety of guitar sounds and excellent song writing. I have practically worn the cd's out and totally sold on his music. I now must say Robin Trower went thru a trial period of experimenting with different sounds and musicians. I believe this was his downfall. I wish he had stay with the classic years and that is something I will always remember him of. I know that musicians need to move forward and try new things. But, not strand to far cause it can either help your career or end it. I hope you respect my opinion as I respect yours. Thanks for giving me the opporunity to hear my side and hope maybe you will have a change of heart about Robin Trower.

David Parizer <ParizerDZ@bernstein.com> (22.02.2002)

George,

Great effort on the site. It takes courage to put your opinions on the chopping block, so to speak. Hoping that I conform to the posting guidelines, I must take issue with your assessments of Clapton vs Trower.

First and foremost, I am a Trower fanatic. But I strongly disagree with the assessment that Trower is just a guitar player, and not a strong songwriter. Long before I had even heard of Trower, I purchased every Cream record in sight (no solo stuff, however). What has survived in my collection is Live Cream Volume I, Derek and the Dominos Live at the Fillmore, and the first Bluesbreakers album. You may want to point out that most all of the songs with Cream were written by Jack Bruce or were covers, and like Trower, had his bassist do the singing. Trower wrote all of his own material with the exception of 2 covers (I think just 'Rock Me Baby' and 'Farther On Up The Road'). I know that you are critical of long songs, so I find the live side of Wheels of Fire indefensible and unlistenable (though I enjoy the live renditions of 'NSU' and 'Sweet Wine' on Live Cream Volume I). I also can't listen to Clapton's solo efforts--his selling out to commercialism, the big band arrangements, background singers, country music influences. I don't know how to argue that Trower is a stronger songwriter--it's a question of style and what moves you, I guess--but I admire Trower's stoicism for Blues based R & B throughout his career, going back to his days with the Paramounts. Sure his late seventies efforts were experimental and off track, but the fact that he survived the Punk revolution with regained form on his later efforts is surely impressive. If you want to talk about a lousy songwriter, please talk about Jeff Beck. Experimental noodling, lousy bands, lousy vocalists, instability--in short, talentless.

As a general criticism, I think that sometimes you get caught up overanalyzing songs as single entities rather than looking at the album as a whole. For example, I love Caravan, a what I love is the diversity you can find on every single album--from the catchy pop tunes to the extended suites. I don't get caught up in the length of the sax solo on 'For Richard' and whether it could be shortened or eliminated. I love the tension and release that builds and builds throughout the song's duration. To me it is spine tingling. As with Trower, he may have only a couple of "great albums" (say, the first two), but I focus on the consistency and achievement throughout his entire career and say what a shame that his is not viewed as in the same league as his contemporaries. Well, that's what happens when you don't sell out to commercialism.

T.Larz <t.larz@go-web.dk> (17.09.2002)

Being 51 of age...ive been there..heard them all (almost) And i must say that Robin Trower are by far one off the most- interesting guitarists hailing from UK. Sure he´s a Disciple of the Hendrix style/period...but hey- he´s so much more....just listen to the 3-5 first albums, and youll know what im talking about. Agreed...Twice removed.. and Bridge of sighs are supreme,but the others have their moments as well. Seldom have you heard such lyrical guitar landscapes as on those- mentioned. But hey those later albums also had some great guitar playing. IN short i would go as far as to say,there are always- some great guitar lick on all of his albums,even though some of- the material is poor. many regards......Tonny Larz.

p.s. James Dewar Was a fuckin´(pardon my french) GREAT vocalist !!

<JaymeNatasha@aol.com> (25.03.2003)

I PLAY ROBIN TROWERS' MUSIC ON MY RADIO SHOW...  (QUALITY ROCKIN' RHYTHMS & BLUES)

I FEEL PROUD TO GIVE 'OTHERS' THE CHANCE TO HEAR FOR THEMSELVES; (WITHOUT CRITICISM) BEAUTIFULL, LUXURIOUS, MUSIC.......... OF WHICH,  OTHERWISE; MAY NEVER BE HEARD.

LETS KEEP HIS MUSIC ALIVE PUT IT ON & SOAK IN IT.......

MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmdelicious

CHEERS

Chachi Torres <chingas81@hotmail.com> (03.08.2003)

Much respect and admiration for your site on your opinions and speaking about Robin Trower. I am a young man only 21 years old and i haven't been around much and I don't know the technical side of of music. But i do know what I like, and when i first heard the song "Bridge of sighs", I became a lifelong Trower fan. I've seen him live two years ago in Austin, Texas. As you said friend, It was truly unforgettable. I really enjoy the Bass interaction with Robin's Solo in 'Daydream'.

All that i am trying to express is my feelings towards the man's emotion that I sense in his guitar playing. Regardless who he might sound like, i think he has the rare quality of moving me emotionally with his guitar wizardry and whatever band he's jamming with.

<Bluesrocker101@aol.com> (30.08.2003)

"Robin Trower" Where should I begin? His art is not just music, it is also the spiritual journey he sends us on. When you hear a Trower "anything", and really let the power of his tone and expression in to your soul, he takes you on a journey! If you compare this man to anyone else I would seriously question your smarts. Nobody is on the same page with this man. Robin plays from his heart, and his alone. Its not only the creative chord progressions, the bends and sustain, feedback, or the climax and release in many of his solo's, its much more... The tempo in many of his songs is slow (throbbing), he does this for more reasons than just because he likes a slow tempo... The slow tempo, creates more space to let those soulful notes ring out to the edge of feedback, and so on. These are the canvas's on which he paints his masterpieces. I believe that Robin plays true to himself (what he likes), not at all what he thinks will draw the large crowd, and that's fine with me because I like what he does. Honestly I was inspired to play a similar style because of the tone. Robin must be the most TONE dedicated guitarist I have ever had the pleasure of hearing, "hands down." I have herd him going through Marshall amps, Fender amps or both for a while and now back to Marshalls, and he sound's dam good either way... If anyone wants to hear what he sounded like out of a fender amp you must buy the 20th Century blues CD, that is a must have CD for all R/T fans. I started playing in the Austin, TX region around 1980 among some very good pickers, some even had decent "tones," but when R/T would come to town it was like "Thank you Jesus" something pure, something for me, something slow enough to understand and with TONE... People round here mostly copy each other's crap, or who's top dawg @ the moment playing a Strat through an old Tweed bassman and go nowhere. I don't mind being told that I sound similar to R/T, in fact it makes my day, I want people to know that he is the only real influence that I have ever had. I love to play guitar, and I love to cover R/T tunes, unlike the others in this town, I know I will never make it out of this hell hole, and R/T has already out done anything I could possibly ever conjure up, and I don't mind the fact that I'm going nowhere. I know that I sound like a flake, I'm a guitarist so I almost certainly am, but I have lived on music and refried beans in this shitty town for over 20 years now. I never have wrote anything about a guitarist until today and I probably never will again. R/T is my guitar player and I only have one. Listen to any of Robin's albums and if you don't feel moved spiritual, I wouldn't want to think you were reading even my shallow words...

Phil Tanguay <tptang1@netzero.net> (01.07.2004)

In 1974 (when I was a senior in high school) I saw Robin Trower at Ford Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan. This was in the month of April, and Robin and the band were doing the Bridge Of Sighs tour. Back then I attended literally hundreds of rock concerts and saw everybody, Zepplin, Tull, The Who, King Crimson, Bowie, Wings, Clapton, Foghat, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Aerosmith, etc. etc, etc, Now I first started listening to Robin when Twice Removed From nothing was released, I believe a year earlier (1973) in my junior year at high school. And I really loved it; thought the Hendrixesque guitar sound (I never got a chance to see Hendrix but adored his music) was the coolest thing around. Bridge Of Sighs was such a smash release in Detroit--which was and still is the Rock and Roll Capital Of The World--it got so much airplay because there were so many great songs on the album. I remember all the wantabe hippie chicks at high school like falling in love with Robin because he was such a major talent and so cool back then. Anyway, the concert was absolutely terrific. As I recall, Robin did practically all of the songs from Bridge of Sighs and a couple from Twice Removed From Yesterday. He absolutely blew me away. The strat, with the Univibe, and the Marshalls sounded so cool, exactly like the album. I loved it. The vocalist was incredible and gave a superb performance, I was on the edge of my seat. I had binoculars and checked out Robin closely. I recall him wearing knee-high buckskin boots. Strutting around on stage, just wailing and mesmerising everybody. I still play guitar and am now awaiting the Hal Leonard transcription book of Bridge of Sighs, which was supposed to be released in June. I hope everything's okay with the publication of the book because I can't wait to get my hands on it.


ALBUMS
TWICE REMOVED FROM YESTERDAY

Pete Lucchini <plucchini@msn.com> (08.08.2004)

I MUST HAVE PLAYED THIS SONG A THOUSAND TIMES OR MORE OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER STOP FEELING THE SOUL OF TROWERS SMOOTHNESS AND STYLE MIXING TOGETHER WITH JAMES RICH VOCALS ITS LIKE MIXING BUTTER AND HONEY, I WAS PLAYING THIS LIVE CD ON MY WAY HOME FROM FLORIDA TO NEW MEXICO LAT WEEK MADE IT THROUGH THREE STATES BEFOR STOPING FOR THE NIGHT!! I FEEL LIVE RECORDINGS SHOW THE TRUE TIGHTNESS OF A BAND AND THIS LIVE RECORDING IS TIGHT!!

WITH THE PASSING OF JAMES DEWAR IT'S LIKE GROWING A LITTLE OLDER HE WAS ONE SINGER I WOULD LOVE TO SING LIKE IF I HAD A PICK OF THEM ALL!!


BRIDGE OF SIGHS

Pete Darbyshire <peejaydee@ntlworld.com> (13.02.2003)

If Robin Trower was looking for the ultimate guitar sound then he found it in the track "Bridge of Sighs" What a killer of a tone!

Randal Klarr <rklarr@pnms.com> (20.03.2003)

Dusted off this one recently for an obscure referrence, been blasting it in the car for weeks. Funny thing is, I bought it for the title track--the first time when I was 14. Now I love tracks like "Little Bit of Sympathy" and "The Fool and Me" for exactly what they are: great rock-n-roll songs. I'd go so far as to call "...Sympathy" one of the truly great R&B songs on record. To our host here: First, thanks for the pages. I understand your confusion about the popularity of this record. But consider, in America, and maybe elsewhere, that popularity probably had a lot more to do with the times than anything else. This was the bottom of the '60s decompression. Imagine watching the evening news in 1974. It opens with about the 10th straight year of Vietnam War coverage, and then President Nixon on saying, "I'm not a crook....". You turn off the tube and drop the needle on your brand new album, Bridge of Sighs.... It's a wonder the entire baby-boom generation didn't go throw themselves off that bridge. On the other hand, if they HAD we might have been spared from that whole "Disco" nightmare.


FOR EARTH BELOW

Eugene <BENTLEY769@aol.com> (28.04.2000)

I agree whole-heartedly about this album - especially about the title track. I used to hear 'For Earth Below' track on our college radio station. I eventually got the compact disc, thinking "there must be some classics here I haven't heard". I really like the title track,but it's really an indictment of an album when the best song by far is the one you've already heard. I played the CD once when I first got it and haven't pulled it out since.

Jonathan Vaughan <Jonathan.Vaughan@apollogrp.edu> (21.10.2000)

I think you are way too harsh on this album. I can see that, from a musician's standpoint, you might be within reason to be disappointed. But I'm sorry, "Shame the Devil", "For Earth Below" and "A Tale Untold" are great songs. These three songs alone make the album worth having. This album DOES have the same moody quality that the previous two did, and that's a good thing. Admittedly, your views are interesting, although I don't agree with them.


LIVE

No reader comments yet.


LONG MISTY DAYS

Dave <dadawson@mindspring.com> (28.11.2001)

On this album, Robin was not in a rush to put out an album each year. I really like the songs " Same Rain Falls, Hold Me, and Caldonia". The other songs are ok and what really surprise is the song " Messin with Blues ". I believe on this album, he wanted to try different type of sounds from rock to the blues. The album is good, but not as good as bridge of sighs.


IN CITY DREAMS

Dave <dadawson@mindspring.com> (28.11.2001)

I am very disappointed that Robin would put out such an album. I have heard he did not even tour on it. On this album, he had gotten away from the classic years to some new thing. I always believe if something is working then stay with it.


IN CONCERT

No reader comments yet.


CARAVAN TO MIDNIGHT

keithblueman <keith@blueman.fsworld.co.uk> (09.06.2002)

This album is a classic! So what if it didn't follow the usual (brilliant) Trower formula?!? It's flipping great! Trower's playing is economical and tasteful throughout.....


VICTIMS OF THE FURY

No reader comments yet.


Return to the main index page