Robben Ford Discussion

[JohnnyZ]

I'm guessing not many know of or have heard of Shawn Phillips. No offense, Shawn, if you're reading! Anyway, Shawn is someone whose music was introduced to me by an old (early 1970's) roommate. I believe he had 2 albums out at the time. Anyway, my roomate played those albums quite a bit, and from what I recall, Shawn had a great, almost operatic voice with a rockin' rythmic backing band, and I got hooked. However, time moved on and the roommate was long gone and so was my daily link to Shawn Phillips and his music...

So, here I am, 30-something years later, and I hear the name clear as day in a background radio station at work. I start an internet look-up, and low and behold, what do I find? A website showing discography from which I found the line-ups from 2 songs on Shawn's 1974 album, DO YOU WONDER.

Believe In Life --
Shawn Phillips: Guitar and Vocals
Peter Robinson: Piano, ARP Synthesizer, Tam-Tam
Max Bennett: Bass
John Guerin: Drums
Robben Ford: Guitars
Jim Horn: Soprano Sax
Joe Clayton: Congas
Background vocals: Maxine Willard, Julia Tillman, Oren Waters and Luther Waters

Golden Flower --
Shawn Phillips: Guitar and Vocals
Peter Robinson: Piano
Max Bennett: Bass
Jim Keltner: Drums
Robben Ford: Guitar
Jim Horn: Brass

At this point, I'm not sure if I've heard this album back in the day, but I'm sure as heck going to find out and try to remember! It would be interesting to hear from others who've heard of Shawn Phillips, and especially if anyone's heard or known about Robben playing on these songs...

[Bluelobster]

wow johnny it brings me back in 1972, since a girl in our commune came from bay area we used to listen the one which begins by a strong rain & storm. Now go figure Robben in themix ....§!/

[Daved]

I, too, have been a huge fan of Shawn's since the mid 70's.

My introduction came with the Second Contribution album... an extraordinary peice of work featuring his complex songwriting, acoustic guitar expertise, and mind blowing vocal range.

I have (and still do) followed evrything I have been able to find and get my hands on. I believe my collection is pretty complete. I know of 15 albums (not counting the several compilation reissues) (** = personal favorites):

1) I'm A Loner (his first... from his "folk music" days)
2 ) Shawn
3 ) Contribution
4 ) 2nd Contribution **
5 ) Collaboration
6 ) Faces
7 ) Bright White**
8 ) Furthermore**
9 ) Do You Wonder (The album Robben is on... a good album, but not his best IMHO)
10) Rumplestilskin's Resolve **
11) Spaced **
12) Transcendance
13) Beyond Here Be Dragons
14) Truth If It Kills
15) No Category (his most recent... recorded at Stagg Street Studios in Van Nuys... one of Robben's favorite L.A. studios where he records often)

He still records and performs. I highly recommend checking him out.
_________________
B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

[JohnnyZ]

Daved, I just knew you'd chime in! And, wow! I didn't realize Shawn had that many albums over the years. I'm getting the urge to get reacquainted with his music, which will shake loose many hidden memories of some good ol' times of my younger days (daze), I'm sure!

BTW, off topic but, Daved, did you receive your UK Beatles stamps?

[Daved]

JZ,

All this talk of Shawn has gotten me, too, into a mood for all things Phillips, so today I'm enjoying a day of listening to all his CD's chronologically (something I've never done before). He truly is a musician's musician, with tunes weaving thru pretty much all genres of music slanted to his own distinct stylings.

I've gone to his website and found that I have most of his vinyl and all CD's ever issued... between the two I have it all (including all of the anthologies and compilations).
I see that the only vinyl never yet released in CD format is, sadly, Rumplestiltskin's Resolve and Spaced (two of my faves).

To this day, Second contribution (It ALWAYS goes in my "must-have" lists and i-Pod selections) remains my absolute favorite (Hey, you simply HAVE to love a song with the inspired title of She Was Waitin' For Her Mother At The Station In Torino And You Know I Love You Baby But It's Getting Too Heavy To Laugh), with the Bright White and Furthermore albums following closely behind (from his style period of 80's progressive funky rock).

Incredible player, extraordinary songwriter, brilliant arranger... and that voice... all 15 octaves of it... wow!!! (Exagerating his vocal range, of course... but I think you get the idea.)

Things I DIDN'T know before visiting his website:
---------------------------------
Appears on (among many other albums):

Donovan:
Fairy Tale (1965)
- 12 string guitar and sitar on several songs
Sunshine Superman (1966)
- Harpsichord on Sunshine Superman & Three Kingfishers
- guitar on much of, including Season Of the Witch
Mellow Yellow (1967)
- Sitar on Sunny South Kenington

Beatles
Sergent Pepper's
- background vocals on Lovely Rita Meter Maid (tho not credited)

Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin (1970)
- Guitar (6&12 String), Guitar (Electric), Sitar, Vocals, and Koto
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Interesting Interview Q&A's:

- What came first - music or words for Season Of The Witch?)
"The music came first. I was playing the main riff, and Don started making up words."

- You gave Joni Mitchell guitar lessons when she was a waitress. What was so special about her that made you help her?
"I saw that she had a natural affinity for the instrument, so as long as I was in Saskatoon, I would give her lessons each day."

- There's not enough information of your work with THE BEATLES. Could you provide any details, please?
"I never really worked with the guys, we were just friends, and occasionally, we would jam together, like if I went to George's house for dinner. I gave him his first sitar lessons. John, and Paul, and I got on well together, but I never really got to know Ritchie, Ringo. They would invite me to the studio sometimes, and that's how I ended up singing background vocals on Lovely Rita Meter Maid".

BTW, yeah, got my stamps... very, very cool!
_________________
B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

[JohnnyZ]

Daved, great reply! Glad my Shawn Phillips post got your musical juices flowing (again)!!!

I wish we were neighbors so I could borrow some of your Shawn Phillips cds. But, since I've been years out of touch with his music, I'm going with your recommendation as his best and going for it! Thanks! I have a feeling that it's one of the albums I enjoyed listening to way back when...

Later,
JZ