The review is a bit harsh coming from an MC5 fan. It's important to consider the source, I think. That said, when push comes to shove, "Truth" is not one of my favorites from Robben, which is quite a lot like saying Cosi Fan Tutti is not one of my favorites from Mozart. That may be a bit hyperbolic, but you get the idea. Maybe more like Gaucho was not one of my favorites from Steely Dan.
To me, there's Robben Ford and then there's everyone else. I admire BB, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Guy and the grandads of electric Blues as well as Jazz greats like Johnny Smith, Kessel and Pass, but there's just something about Ford that connects with me. Ford has internalized some of my own, personal influnences and developed a style that sounds near perfect to me. I enjoy contemporaries like Ronnie Earl, Bonamassa and Trucks as well as guitarists from other genres like Petrucci and Belew, but there's just something about Robben that I identify with.
As for Truth, I like the the opening track, "Lateral Climb", for much the same reason that I enjoy the collaborative "Nothing to Nobody". Ford has a mature lyrical sensibility that compliments his cool musical style nicely. Even his foray into political opinion is restrained so as not to offend. The adult presentation combined with his incomporably melodic chops and likeable persona is a winning formula to me. The Tedeschi vocal does help the disc, I must admit, but I like Robben's voice just fine. Seeing the material live is something I'm really looking forward to.
Monte, I like what you say about the style Robben has developed. Just to illustrate what I feel about his abilities:
once upon a time (no fairy tale) I did some soldering work while I let go an old video of Robben with Don Mock and some other killer on guitar at GIT, just 3 acoustic guitars, not my favourite program. So it was more listening than looking but everytime I looked up to see who played because I thought this was interesting - it was Robben. It's always music when he plays not just scales up and down.
Joined: 21 Jul 2003 Posts: 29 Location: Manchester UK
Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 1:28 am Post subject: One man's ceiling is another man's floor...
I guess this song title might sum things up a bit. The fact is that Robben is not a major recording artist who can expect to sell millions of CD's. He has chosen to follow a diverse career path and follow his heart with his own recordings.
Mystic Mile and Supernatural are my personal favorites. I wasn't quickly drawn to Blue Moon, but came to like a lot of it. Still a little ambivalent about Keep on Running. I've had Truth for a week now and on first listen, I was a little disappointed. However, I've kept it in the car on rotation and been able to turn it up loud on the way to work. It's really growing on me. One thing I've noticed is that the bottom end seems to be a little lacking compared to the rolling bass in some previous Robben CD's. However, once turned up a bit in the car, or on a decent HiFi, the arrangements do come to the fore. One of my faves is Nobody's Fault... I havent heard the original, but I love this version. I also surprised myself by coming to like Riley B King. You're gonna need a friend is also good and I love Peace on my mind and (of course) Moonchild Blues.
Just as well we don't all have exactly the same taste. Good to read the views of such diverse people on this site, who all have a common admiration for Robben Ford.
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:57 am Post subject: Those that can't do...
...criticize. I fail to see how Robben is 'coasting' in this recording. His playing is excellent, his phrasing is amazin'. Apparently our pal Thom just doesn't have much appreciation for a subtler, more tasteful approach.
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:10 am Post subject: Re: Those that can't do...
jbarts1000 wrote:
...criticize. I fail to see how Robben is 'coasting' in this recording. His playing is excellent, his phrasing is amazin'. Apparently our pal Thom just doesn't have much appreciation for a subtler, more tasteful approach.
I agree - I don't think someone like Robben would ever be 'coasting' on a new album release, unless they were being pushed into recording something that they weren't happy with by a record label, or producing something they thought would please fans rather than themselves, which I can't believe would be the case with Robben. It all comes down to personal taste - I haven't heard Truth yet but the reviews seem to imply that the song choice is a bit too MOR. I would have to say that I didn't really enjoy Blue Moon or Keep On Running as much as some of the earlier Blue Line material as it felt a little to 'easy' - I would like to see Robben record an album that's a bit more raw with more b*lls, songwise - I suppose with a bit more of a rock influence. However, if that's not where he is as an artist at the moment then that's his call. I would say that, whatever songs he chooses, the guitar playing and soloing is always in a class of its own - it's just whether you would justify buying the album just for that part of it.
I've seen him live twice this year (once with Melvin Davis & Gary Novack, & once with Larry Carlton) and both gigs left me feeling a bit unsatisfied - great guitar playing but lacking that intangible energy that previous gigs seemed to have. Maybe I'm just a bit burnt out on Robben material - I've got a few live CDs & DVDs - I know the fans want to hear their old favourites, but I really didn't want to hear 'Lovin' Cup' again live.
Having said that, I'm sure I'll end up buying Truth as well, but currently I'm really enjoying the latest CDs from David Grissom and Joe Bonamassa.
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