Robben Ford Discussion

JackD · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 4:18 pm Post subject: Getting the "nod" from Robben

The other night, I was watching Robben's DVD from the Paris concert. There was a point in time, where he finished a vocal and then looked over to the keyboard player and gave him the "nod" to take a solo. When I saw that, it gave me a very warm feeling, because I have gotten the nod from Robben several times myself. Last year, I played with Robben at a clinic I sponsored here in Detroit. To demonstrate some stuff, Robben played with me and my band. We did four songs. On each song, Robben would take a solo and when he was done, he’d look over at me, give me that little half smile, look me straight in the eye, and then give me a nod that said “dude, go for it.” He did this on ALL four songs. Later in the year, I got to play with Robben at his Ojai clinic in August. We did an old Kenny Burrell tune and Robben gave me the nod to take one as well. In fact, we traded a few.

So, what’s my point? First, Robben is an extremely generous guy. When we played in Detroit in front of a group of 50 or so people, they were all there to see him play. He didn’t have to give me one solo—let alone four. He made me feel comfortable and let me do my thing while he comped behind me. It was a total blast. It made me feel like a million bucks and it was some of the most fun I’ve ever had playing. I will never forget that night of playing and the look of the nod.

Second, folks need to realize what a unique opportunity it is to go to one of his clinics in Ojai. If you can ever get the chance to go, I’d highly recommend it. If you do go, and if you are up to it, play with Robben. At some point in time, he’ll look over at you and give you the nod. You’ll totally dig it and you won’t forget it.

If anyone else has had the pleasure of playing with Robben, chime in on your experience!

scottl · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:27 am Post subject:

I hate you!!!

Tell me more ;)
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JackD · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 4:16 pm Post subject:

At the clinic in Detroit (where we played with my band), the four songs we did were Muddy Water (an old Blues classic), Revelation, I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues, and Help the Poor. When we set up, I gave Robben a list with a number of other more current tunes, but he selected those earlier songs. Even though I'd played with Robben before this (probably 15 times when I went to GIT 20 years earlier), it was a lot more fun with a band. I remember looking over at our drummer during I Ain't Got Nothin' and we gave each other the "holy sh*t, I can't believe we're doing this" look. It sounded just like the record! It's hard to describe just how much fun it was. Anyway, we both played through Guytron amps (Guy Hedrick is a freind of mine and he came and supplied the amps). I think Les Schefmen from the Gear Page posted a review on this board after the event.

In Ojai, it was a lot more laid back. Just the two of us played in front of the other clinic attendees. One of the other neat aspects is when I came up to play, Robben was playing his Les Paul though his Deluxe Reverb and I got to play through his Dumble combo--this too was a unique experience. See Scott, I did get to play through one of the real deals! It sounded and felt great! Like I said, if you can make the trip to Ojai, do it.

PierreL · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:10 am Post subject:

OK now we are 2 hating you Laughing

kirk95 · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:41 am Post subject:

More like jealous....

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edpesco · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 11:08 am Post subject:

Jack, everybody hates you on this forum, rumours spreading that Henk already hired a contract killer...

JackD · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:41 pm Post subject:

edpesco · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:47 pm Post subject:

well done, Henk!

henkholland · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:56 am Post subject: who's giving the nods?

My english is very small ranged, but everytime I'm learning new words and meanings on this interesting forum. This time "the nod". Thanks Jack for sharing your experience with your story. Hope you were not getting too wet by that water gun. I'm curious about your GIT experiences. I hope one day to be at one of those Clinics of Robben. Ed, are you back home again? Who's giving the nods at the festival next weekend? One finger R or you?
Henk

edpesco · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 1:04 am Post subject:

I'm well back, thanks. As I got a stiff neck and hold my pick with thumb and index I will generously raise my middle finger instead of nodding :-)

henkholland · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 1:26 am Post subject: time to go to that Clinic?

I'm getting more and more excited to play at that Festival. Do you mean the same thing with the word "generously" as Jack described about Robben ("First, Robben is an extremely generous guy") Or is it time for you to learn something from Robben's attitude at one of his Clinics? ;-)
Henk

edpesco · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:02 am Post subject:

generous? I was born like that, if I had only a bit more of that nature I'd give away everything and run around naked. So a Robben clinic is too dangerous for me, thanks.

JohnnyZ · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: time to go to that Clinic?

edpesco · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 1:53 pm Post subject:

it is upcoming weekend, Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th, RF tribute is on Saturday 3rd and the whole thing takes place in HARD / Austria at the lake of Constance in the triangle between Austria/Germany/Switzerland and it's quite far from Amsterdam/Holland
Edmund

Bill Morgan · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 10:16 pm Post subject: Re: who's giving the nods?