Robben Ford Discussion

professor · Member Joined: 18 Jul 2003 Posts: 19 Location: Trenton, NJ

I agree that Robben's vocals seem to have improved greatly with this release. Much more power and focus.

The only song that I think was a stretch for him here was Badge. No matter how many times I listen to this track, I simply can't get into it. I think that the arrangement is lackluster, and I find his vocal on this track to be a real letdown...
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Regards, Dave Orban

edpesco · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:26 am Post subject:

If you could hear Badge live maybe this would change your mind. It really made the venue cook.

BlueRunner · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2003 9:15 am Post subject:

Definitely agree about the vocals. When I first put the CD on I was astounded by what's happened to Ford's voice. It may be a combination of maturity, experience, and the vocal teacher down in L.A. with whom he's been working.

As for the tunes, they're great. I'll agree that "Badge" isn't a high point, but the guitar work -- somewhat different from what we're used to -- is nice to hear. As for the other tunes, teaming up with Mavis Staples on "What's So Funny [etc.]" was absolutely brilliant, and "For Love of Money" has to be the top cut on the CD.

All in all I can't undertand why CD stores aren't trucking this album in by the gross and watching them go out the door hundreds at a time!
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- BlueRunner

abergdahl · Member Joined: 18 Jul 2003 Posts: 39 Location: Sweden

I really like Robens guitar playing on the new album, great tone Cool

marinblues · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2003 11:56 pm Post subject:

filippo · Newbie Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 2

I got it a couple of days ago despite some of my initial reservations based on checking out the sound samples on amazon.com. But these reservations have only proved to me how silly it is to gauge anything by one's expectations and preconceptions regarding what something might be or should be, especially on the evidence of a few fragmentary sound bites-- one has to experience it in its totality!

And experiencing it is precisely what I have been doing-- listening to the CD a couple of times a day, and enjoying it thoroughly from the start. Of course, as with every new album of Robben's, I keep hearing additional nuances with each outing that make the whole offering seem more and more complete with each listening. So from now on, I'll let Robben provide the cues ... and simply let my ears follow. Doing that in reverse is definitely not the recipe, as I've found out to my chagrin ...

casey1 · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:25 pm Post subject:

I agree the new CD does grow on you. I've listened to it more times than I can count and find I do love it. I hope I get to hear it live - in Vancouver BC! Maybe I should become a promoter and then I could book Robben into the Commodore and sell out the place and we'd have these CD's flying out the door and then he'd be greatful and give me a private lesson and . . . oh well, dream along with me. It's been a long day.

telefunk1 · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 11:28 am Post subject:

Got my copy over the weekend and have been absorbing it non-stop. Overall I have to give it a 3 out of 5 stars. Individually, some tunes get a 5, while some are best left unmentioned (but I will later...). First some general comments. Great voice - His vocals have really started to catch up with his playing. Guitar tone - awesome even if a little thinner than usual, but I think it makes him work a little more and dig deeper to compensate. Guitar playing - refreshingly sparse after the excesses of Jing Chi (of which I am not a fan). Good to hear lots of breathing room between notes. Material - this a very uneven release. After the first 2 cuts I was ecstatic - finally the "funky" RF CD! Great horns, full tilt playing, on the right track. Then Homework. Sorry, but having grown up on the Otis Rush, Fleetwood Mac, and J. Geils versions, there is nothing new here. Badge - a glimmer of hope for what could have been! Up until the bridge it is pretty straight, couple of interesting vocal inflections, but I was wondering, "why bother." Once the background vocals come in, some interesting stuff starts to happen. This could have been very cool, but what really drags it down are the uninspired drums (playing and sound). I kept thinking how great it would have been to have Manu Kache (Peter Gabriel) or Dennis Chambers, someone with toms the size of VWs driving this song. It just sits there. The outro solo is hot, but there is nothing pushing it along.

Peace, Love, ...it just amazes me how Mavis Staples can be made to sound inconsequential! This sounds like an adult contemporary version - no drive, no fire, very disappointing! This is one of the all time great angry rock songs and it just has all the life sucked out of it. I know this is harsh, but damn!

Cannonball. I hope this cooks in concert because it sounds like the obligatory shuffle filler here. Freddie is the man, my first and greatest influence, and try as I might I cannot find the reference point in this song. Compared to other RF instrumentals, this leaves a lot to be desired. Great playing, of course, but weak composition. The blues tunes (Lifetime thing, Me and my woman, and Hand in Hand) are all what we have come to expect, great playing, sympathetic backing, having Mayall play in the back (instead of someone like his brother who is always front and center) really adds some interesting character to the tunes.

For the love of money - good gawd, the O'Jays! Not a great cover but it funks up the house. And any song that has Terry Evans (Ry Cooder, and duo stuff with Bobby King) singing backup has merit.

So, 3 stars, but even at that 3 stars from RF is light years ahead of most players.