Robben Ford Discussion

[bassjack]

Greetings All,

I caught the second stop on the tour of the John Mayall Rockin' Blues Revue featuring Robben and Eric Bibb at CSU Chico last night. The show opened with Bibb coming out on solo acoustic guitar, and not being at all familiar with him I was suitably impressed. This guy has the magic! Infectious stage presence and very engaging. Opened with Stagger Lee and had 'em in the palm of his hand by the end of the tune. His too brief set started with four tunes and then he brought out Robben for the fifth. By the end of the first verse they were joined by the Bluesbreaker drummer.

Bibb left the stage at the end of this tune and the rest of the Bluesbreakers joined Robben. I mentally told myself to remember the set list but at my age...I know he played Cannonball Shuffle, Don't Deny My Love, and other stuff from Blue Moon and Keep on Running. Material I haven't heard him play the last couple of times I've seen him.

He played a brief set as well - at least too me. Maybe eight tunes. At that point they broke for an intermission and the Bluesbreakers returned for a one song (thankfully...) warmup to bring out the "Father of Bristish Blues". Um, how do I convey my thoughts? Not my cup of tea to coin a British phrase.

Mayall was quite the emcee, played keyboard (not so good), harmonica (better), and of course sang (agin, not so good). Many if not most of the tunes were from the new album he has out, and they were universally within the 12 bar pattern. Of course his set ended with "Room to Move" and then as an encore he brought out Robben and Eric to close the night with Talk To Your Daughter. Apparently he was a J B Lenoir fan, and with Robben covering the tune it seemed like a natural fit. However, Robben never got the chance to sing even one verse, it was all Mayall and Bibb doing the call and response thing. That ended the show.

Can you tell I wasn't blown away? Robben seemed like he was a bit tentative playing with the BB's - probably not much rehearsal for the tour and it being the second show maybe that's to be expected, but nonetheless was playing like we all know he can. I just think the combination of the three artists misses the mark a bit. Buddy Whittington is the guitarist in the BB's and while he can get around on the neck I didn't feel he was very articulate or soulful.

Robben used the same rig he had with him last month when he played here at the Sierra Nevada Brewery with his brothers in the Bloomfield tribute: Super Reverb, Zen pedal, and a red Les Paul (last month's show he had a sunburst), no Dumble rig to be found. Interestingly his was the only amp on stage not run through the PA and his sound was far and away more focused than the other guitar rig.

I'm imagine this show will become more cohesive as it goes along, but Mayall just didn't do it for me. I'd much prefer to see a night of just Robben and Eric. Nonetheless, seeing Robben anytime is OK by me!

Thanks for reading.

Jack

[JohnnyZ]

Great review, Jack.

I saw John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers a couple of weeks ago without Robben and Eric, and I would say that I wasn't blown away by them either. But, it was an enjoyable show. John played up Buddy Whitington as being one of the best he's ever shared a stage with, and Buddy did whip the crowd into a frenzy or two.

I hope you're right about Robben needing a few shows under his belt to really start to let loose. That seemed to be the case when he toured with Gregg Allman & Friends. I saw the 2nd and last shows of that tour, and there was a big difference in Robben's everything between the 2 shows. It's another 7 weeks before they hit my area, so I hope I can write a review about being completely blown away...
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Soul on Eleven

[BlueRunner]

bassjack: Thanks for the review! Do you actually live in Chico? If so, you're one lucky music fan, what with the Sierra Nevada Brewery and other great venues up there.

I'll be heading out to Lancaster next Tuesday night for the show, and am really looking forward to it. Your review gave me a good idea of what to expect. From this end, just a couple of thoughts:

First, even though he's New York-born, Eric Bibb has lived for many years in Scandanavia, and is sort of a mystery to US audiences. I have never heard him live, but have listened to his records, and about a year ago heard a wonderful interview on "Folk Scene," broadcast in our area on KPFK, Los Angeles. He's magical over the radio, and your impression reinforces what I've heard about his live shows. He has quite a pedigree, too. His father was Leon Bibb, a New York folksinger who worked with people like Pete Seeger, and John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet is his uncle. His Godfather was Paul Robeson. With a family history like that, it was probably improssible for him to avoid having a great voice and a wonderful way with audiences. And to hear him with Robben must have been amazing. I'm definitely excited about hearing him live for the first time.

Second, to say of John Mayall that "Apparently he was a J B Lenoir fan" is a classic understatement, especially if you've ever listened to "The Death of J B Lenoir," one of the tunes on his late 1960's album "Crusade," and one of the most poignant blues songs ever written. Outside of his club base in Chicago, Lenoir was a bit of an unsung hero in the U.S., and Mayall recognized and promoted him in the UK and to US audiences the way the Rolling Stones recognized and promoted Howlin' Wolf. Lenoir's untimely death was a real tragedy for blues fans everywhere, but from the song was an even more personal tragedy for Mayall.

Finally, as for the Dumble, while it would be nice to hear it, it has been my experience that Robben can get more tone out of a used tunafish can than any other player can get out of the best tube amp in the world.

Thanks again. You've set a high bar for those of us who hope to keep the gang posted on upcoming stops on the BB tour.
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- BlueRunner

[jguerraz251]

Hello All,

I saw Robben last night in Portsmouth, NH. It was awesome!!!! His playing was amazing as always. Eric Bibb and Mayall were good also, but would of been better if Robben played longer.

He used the Les Paul thru an old Fender Super Reverb. He had a Big sound!!! It was great.

I actually got to meet and chat with him, as was as, with Bibb and Mayall. after the show for a few minutes. Hell of a guy.

If you can catch the show, go see it. You won't be dissapointed.

Till the next Time!!!!!!!!

[bobc]

Bibb was excellent, Robben was good (did not play as much as other 2),
and I thought that Mayall's act was weak. Don't ge me wrong he is exceptional for a man in his 70's, but it seemed he was just going throught the motions. Robben played 4 tunes I believe, and the last 2 he was starting to burn it up , but then his set was over.