Robben Ford Discussion

[allwaysmagic]

Saw Robben and the boys last night! What a great show; couldn't get enough and want MORE. Thanks Robben for coming to Sonoma County.
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Deborah

[dodgeboy]

Did Mark play this gig???
My wife and I were at Moe's Alley for a typically awesome show but did miss the vibe Mark adds to the band. He was replaced by another great harp player who's name escapes me at the moment. Patrick said Mark was unable to do the gig. Was wondering if he ment just Moe's or all the dates.

[Red Suede]

That was Andy Just, Dodgeboy.

[Bluelobster]

Hi Gentlemen could we have tight reports from these gigs: line up, tunes, gear, shoes, ?????????? weather, how is Volker ? still playing a 2-rocks ?
Your nosy Lobster (main Lobster).
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[Filmore]

Hello, Bluelobster,
I really want to know, just like you, what was the setup with gear and stuff...

Greeting,
Fill (it's snowing really bad here in Brussels !)
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Filmore

[roadwarriorfortheblues]

No snow here, Fillmore

NoCal fans, PLEASE Fill us in ! Give us some highlights. Who played ? What were some of your favorite songs ? Was the show a Bloomfield/Butterfield tribute, or more general blues. Did they play many originals ? Does one of the boys have a new CD out ?

Fans out East and across the Pond want to know
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[Red Suede]

I know the gear better than the tunes. Volker still with his two Rock and Les Paul, Robben, Zendrive, Dumble modified Blackface Super, and a cherry red Les Paul (coil tapped most of the night) I hadn't seen before. Andy Just on harp, Dewayne Pate on bass and Pat Ford on drums. They did do Moonchild Blues, Tired of Talkin, and the first tune they played was killin! I'd never heard it before, but my friend at ToneGurus knows more about Robben than anyone I know, so hopefully he posts and can give you the tunes. Robben's note selection is always impeccable, and that night was no exception. My favorite player right now. (I'm talking about the Moe's Alley show on thursday night).

[dodgeboy]

I'll do the best I can to fill you guys in on the Moe's gig.
I am an avid listener but not a player so here goes on the setups. Robben had a Fender Super Reverb amp modded or not ???? The Zen drive and a cherry red Les Paul. Volker had the 2-rocks and another cherry red Les Paul. No help on the FX. Dwayne had a 6 string blonde wood bass...not sure mfg. and a Galeen Kruger???sp. you know what I mean.... head and matching speaker cabnet with what looked like 4 15" drivers. Andy had some sort of preamp and a Super Reverb Fender as well. Thats all I can do. Hope it helps all you gearheads.
As far as the set list goes. I tried to get a copy of the setlist from Dwayne but when I asked, he said that Robben might need it later and was hesitant to give it up....damn!!!
From memory...not in order....Keep on Runnin'....Homework....Tired of Talkin'....Chevy....Cadillac....Moonchild Blues....Help Myself....Little Red Rooster....Love'n Cup....It's About Time....Another Fine Day....Nothing To Nobody....Feelin' Disconnected....Up From The Streets???.... Obviously there were more tunes from this 2-1/2 hr. 2 set gig. If the fog clears and I remember any more I will post them.
Red Suede, first tune was Keep on Runnin'....so says my wife and you know she's right...lol

[Aeolian]

Red, I thought that was a silverface Super? At first I was wondering if it was Garth's. As Robben was getting a really cutting sound reminisent of Garth. But it had wheels on the bottom and I don't think Garth's does. I think Daved said something about Robben usually using one of his brothers amps on these gigs. I chatted briefly with Andy at one of the breaks and he said that he was doing 5 gigs with this entourage. Then I guess Mark will be back. Andy does use a blackface The Super master volume amp along with that Marshall preamp. Nothing like Marks rack of doom though.

I got there a bit late, would have loved to hear Moonchild. One of the great things about Pat's drumming is how he patiently stays low behind a soloist, giving him all the dynamic room in the world. Most drummers crank it up the instant they hear a loud note. Pat lets the solist work it. And Volker took advantage of it during "Nothing to Nobody" to come up with the best solo I've ever heard from him. Very expressive and dynamic. Robben of course plays like that all the time. Amazing that he doesn't turn the guitar down when he's comping, but he really stayed out of Volker and Andy's way during their spots. A true musician. He even passed on soloing during Little Red Rooster which he did as a quiet slow blues. That is such a platform for someone as lyrical and expressive as him. I was waiting with bated breath for a killer solo, and after Volker and Andy did their thing, Robben just started singing and closed the song out. Guess he must have felt another solo would have been gratuitious.

That 6 string that Dewayne plays is a Tobias. He's had that thing for years. And two 4-10 GK cabs with an RB700 head.

It looked like a fun and loose night. Robben and Andy consulting a song list between each tune and then calling across the stage to ask if Volker wanted to call anything. They all looked like they were having a great time and appreciated each others playing. It must be hell sharing a stage with Robben but Volker looked much more comfortable than in previous times I've seen them together. His playing was more assured and he followed Robben's cues better. Playing down to the song and following the dynamic pace that Robben set. Somehow he managed to get a nearly Strat like tone from his LP, but it fit really well in the mix on his comping behind Robben. And he is really underrated as a singer. Very strong vocals. Robben's voice sounded really strong and full, especially in the early going. It sounded like there was a fair amount of stage volume and he might have been straining a bit towards the end of the night. But he kept giving it his all and still seemed to be enjoying things. There's been times when you could tell something was bothering him, and while he's the consumate professional and powers though it, if you're paying attention you can see the struggle. This gig looked like a blast, all the way through. Pat's drumming was the strongest in years. And when you have great musicians enjoying themselves, you end up with great music. At one point I was talking to Jing Chi Fan during a break and he said that he didn't care what gear Robben was playing. That when he played like that, it didn't matter. Yep, music was in the air.
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[Red Suede]

Yeah, I really didn't take a good look at Robben's Super. I just assumed. The first tune was stupendous! I wish I knew what it was called. It would have to be hell to have to follow Robben, the way he plays. I've opened for him before, and met him a few times over the years, the guy is so bad, I don't think he fully gets that he is truly one of a kind at what he does. (Or even thinks about it).

[Red Suede]

Thanks, dodgeboy! That tune took my head off.

[roadwarriorfortheblues]

Thanks for the great reviews !

Sounds like it was a very successful tour. I would've loved to see this show. I have more Ford Brothers cds in my collection than any other band -- and I hope they keep 'em coming
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