Robben Ford Discussion

jonhanks · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 3:02 am Post subject: life cafe gig

brilliant.....brilliant.....brilliant

I just LOVE watching this guy make music, he is simply the best!! From what i remember here are the tunes he played in no particular order

chevrolet
the way you treated me
help the poor
lovin cup
badge
homework
keep on runnin
start it up
indianola
cannonball shuffle
moonchild blues
up the line

Don't think ive missed any out, but could be wrong! I was very impressed with the tune 'moonchild blues', which robben introduced by saying 'we should get round to recording this one day'. Robbens rhythm work is the thing that impresses me - make me wanna dig out that mikey baker book!!

RockinRob · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 3:16 am Post subject:

Yep, it was a great gig.

You missed "It don't make sense (you can't make peace)" from the list. Quite a poignant number under the circumstances.

I've never seen Robben with a sax player, it was good. they doubled lines sometimes which was very cool. Robben looked like he was having a good time and the Dumble rig was sounding mighty fine.

I little titbit for you gearheads. I asked Daved what speakers Robben had in the DUmble cab this time around. "An old pair of Celestion 65's" was his answer. "He doesn't like the new ones, these are old ones".

Keep on runnin........

Rob.
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Rob Livesey
Manchester UK
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k-man · Newbie Joined: 21 Nov 2003 Posts: 1

Greaaaaat gig

Could you tell me the names of the guys in the band please...... I didn't get them

Cheers

chalky · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 7:48 am Post subject:

Yeah!!! Each time I have seen Robben I have been worried that I might be disappointed because last time was so good. No need to worry though. This band was tight and HOT. Contrary to comments on earlier dates in Europe, I would say that they looked like they were enjoying themselves.
First time I've been to Life Cafe, but it's a pretty good venue. Similar to Jazz Cafe London in layout, but probably holds a few more people. The crowd were up for the gig and really showed their (our) appreciation after solos etc...
I thought the sax (Bob Malach) worked out relly well and pushed up the jazz element in everyones playing, so Robben played plenty of guitar and threw in a good handful of the jazzy excursions that many of us love in his blues playing.
Toss Panos and Dewayne Pate were excellent. Dewayne added the two-note chord backing accompanyment with his right hand whilst tapping out the bass line with his left hand on a couple of numbers (similar to Roscoe Beck).
Overall sound was great. I was upstairs and couldn't hear the vocals particularly clearly, but that was probably due to my position and losing the high end in that area of the room.
Robben looked relaxed and looked to be enjoying the vibe.
Hopefully the reception and venue were to his liking and we will get to see more of him in Manchester in the future (I realize that the choices are not all down to Robben).

Best yet!

Andy

drummermanjon · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 10:34 am Post subject:

Now i don't want to disagree with what has been said about last nights gig, all in all the band played a fine set,but i do have a few negative comments to make.Firstly i thought the Life Cafe reminded me of a working mens club with a rather dull lighting rig that remained untouched all night,which wasn't helped by the house lighting being left on all night. And as far as the mirror ball,i shan't go down that avenue. I cannot really coment on the sound quality as i was forced to watch the show from the side of the stage,as it was the only empty spot when we both arrived.
On a positive note,this is the first occasion i have seen Robben play with any of his current line up. Bob was great,but as with an earlier post he did seem lost on occassions when his playing was not required. I feel Robben would have got more use out of a keyboard player,as last year Neil Larson really did add a hell of alot to the band. Who am i to say anyway? Toss......oh Toss,as soon as he started playing i thought that he adopted a somewhat unorthodox technique,but it worked,and by the end of the gig i thought he was smokin'. Dewayne on bass seemed more than comfortable with Robbens music and played some nice accompaniment to the bands softer moments.
All in all it was a good gig,but not briliant.That in my eyes was no fault of the bands but the venue. The Robin 2 where Robben was booked for the 19th would have been a far superior venue....why it was never confirmed i can only guess.
Have a double Baileys with ice on me Daved.
Jon

Ps: To the lady stage left,when Robben says politely to not use flash photography,i presume he meant for the entire gig not just that song,Bonzo

chalky · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 4:29 am Post subject:

Looking back, I have to agree with the point Jon makes on the lighting. Pretty unimaginative... That hadn't really registered with me because the band and the atmosphere were so good from where I was standing. I only have the Jazz Cafe to compare to as far as Robben gigs go. I have been to many larger venues over the years and find myself preferring more intimate venues. Of course, the disadvantage is that the smaller and more enclosed the listening area, the more important your position is to how you perceive the gig.
I also agree with the comments on Neil Larson last year. He was great. I felt that Robben played less and allowed Neil to take the majority of solos last year. As good as Neil was, I was a little disappointed with this. At the Clinic on Wednesday, Robben specifically said that he remembered that gig and that he wasn't so happy with his sound, so that was probably the reason why.
Anyway, here's to seeing more of Robben at as many venues as possible in the UK as soon as possible!!