Robben Ford Discussion

moses · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject: Supernatural

This was my introduction to the music of Robben Ford, and although I love everything he does, this album just light my fire. I absolutely love the solo and the little fills throughout the song "You've got me Knockin". This man is a veritable cornicopia of licks from different genres. You can hear different influences in his playing, but it is always distinctly Robben...absofreakinlutely amazing!!!! Shocked

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If I ever make the music in my head become realized on my guitar, I will be amazing.

jconstant · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:58 pm Post subject: Supernatural

Robben says that's his worst selling album ever. That's always been hard to believe because I happen to think its one of his best. I know he's very proud of it so its a shame to think it didn't do as well as I'm sure he hoped it would.

roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 5:13 am Post subject: Re: Supernatural

jconstant · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 6:11 am Post subject: Re: Supernatural

frank0936 · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:00 am Post subject: Supernatural

Robben makes a comment on the Paris New Morning DVD about Supernatural that really shows his disappointmen. It was unfortunate that Robben released his CD at nearly the same time as Santana's. However, as I told Robben once before, I had both of them. I gave away the Santana one and I still play Robben's frequently. It is one of his better CDs.
Frank

Aeolian · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:07 am Post subject:

"mine's better .... just kidding" No really Robben, it is. Complete songs, each written with passion and something to say. Guitar solos that have something to say.

We were rehearsing some Santana song last night that is basically "Smooth" with other lyrics in Spanish (Corazon something). The leader said something about adding the guitar parts toward the end and I said, "yeah, he's noodling all though the song" (my sentiments about the whole album). The girl singer asked "what's noodling" and the bass player an I just looked at each other and grinned. Later the leader remarked on how well I'd played the guitar parts and all I could think of was that I'd just been tossing out cliches. Now Carlos plays those with a lot of feeling and passion, and I try to when we're in front of an audience. But it's a world apart from trying to channel Robben's taste and musicallity over something like "Knockin".
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edpesco · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 2:04 pm Post subject:

Supernatural is the best RF album if you want to measure on good and better. I can imagine that it's not a commercial success as the songs are too complex for blues purists or pop music listeners but it is one of the most musical albums I ever heard and therefore it stayed in my car for several years and it will soon come back. Each song is a masterpiece, just perfect. All together it fits like Schubert's Winterreise (sorry Blues-afficionados, your hero is beyond things so far)

marinblues · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 4:25 am Post subject:

Superb CD.
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BudFarmer · Member Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Far Out

Interesting that you should say that. My wife managed a Jazz Club in LA for 11 years. She's heard'em all. Supernatural is her favorite too.

you wrote: "... his worst selling album ever." Must be distribution issues.

Aeolian · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:08 am Post subject:

You have to wonder. Robben writes a full on album of real SONGs, sings better than he ever has, get's help from Michael McDonald (which ought to give it some pop cred) and has the unfortunate timing to give it the same name as a nearly simultaneously released comeback album from a more recognized artist. This had all the earmarks of putting Robben over to a mainstream audience. If it had a fraction of the push that "packaged" artists are given, he'd be playing Shoreline instead of Yoshis.
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marinblues · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:42 pm Post subject:

The Live in Paris DVD was recorded just after Supernatural was released.

I bought the DVD today and there is a version of "Nothing to Nobody" which is an absolute killer! Cool

(plays the Tele).

I love how his Tele sounds throughout the Supernatural CD.
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roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:24 am Post subject:

chalky · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:07 am Post subject:

This is my personal favorite recording from Robben also. The Guitar playing is more restrained as everything is about the song and the arrangement. I love to hear Robben let loose, but appreciate his musical decision to give everything over to the song for the album. All the more reason to get to see him play live whenever possible, to hear the songs you love played by musicians who can stretch out in the live environment and bring something new.
I have heard Robben play 'Hey Brother' several times live, and there is always an extended solo section by Robben and often the Keyboard player too. Real Goosebump moments... Can't wait to get the new DVD.
Like others here, I wonder if label/promotion issues contributed to poor sales. Wasn't it after Supernatural that Robben changed label, hence the lack of recording on Moonchild Blues, which was destined for the next album with his old label?

moses · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 8:51 am Post subject:

Supernatural is more of what I like to phrase "thinking man's music". Not just filler, but every song has a life of it's own, without overpowering the other songs, and still managing to work as a cohesive unit. I can listen from start to finish and be just completely worked over emotionally by the time the album is done. Just an amazing piece of art...
_________________
If I ever make the music in my head become realized on my guitar, I will be amazing.

telefunk1 · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:05 am Post subject:

If ever there was a case of comparing apples to oranges this it it. I happen to think both these CDs are great, but I have been a Santana fan forever. To me, Santana's work is some of his best and the band is a groove monster throughout. Plus he really enjoyed the bump from working with Clive Davis again, which created a lot of media attention at the time. And having a major label behind him did not hurt, as has been noted.

In my book RF's Supernatual represented that point in time when his songwriting and vocal talents finally caught up with his guitar playing. The result was a truly amazing piece of art. But let's face it, he was not a household name, did not have a major label pushing the hell out of it, and he did not have any big names helping him out (OK, MacDonald is a big name but who looks better in a music video - MacDonald or Rob Thomas?). And to be honest, it straddled so many musical fences that it would have been difficult for radio, or even a music store, to categorize. These types of releases will always have an uphill battle for acceptance (and sales).

So, I just sit back and enjoy them both and don't worry about what coulda been...