Robben Ford Discussion

jconstant

I'm headed up to Ojai shortly to see the first show this afternoon.

For the record, I will not be taking flash photos of Robben during the show. I might, emphasis on might, take a couple without flash to show around on this board, but any flashes (and you know there will be some) will not be coming from me.
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

BlueRunner · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject:

I'll post a set list and more info about the 4:00 concert when I have a moment to breath, but the quick review: Have never seen Robben so relaxed and yet so energetic. Maybe because he was home and playing for a lot of folks he knew. Nothing to prove to those of us who are his neighbors, so he just let loose. As did Tas and Travis. A really, really, really fun show. Sorry I didn't wear my Robben Ford beanie so that jconstant could pick me out. We missed another chance. Anyone on the board to to the 7:30 show?
_________________
- BlueRunner

jconstant · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:52 am Post subject:

BlueRunner, you mean you didn't see me in MY Robben beanie?! Maybe next time, huh?

Well, good times, as always. As BlueRunner said, Robben was extremely relaxed and having a great time. There were even a few little sound issues, like the sound guy not knowing when the vocals were coming in, that he just kind of laughed off.

Here's a quick recap of the event on what was a beautiful day in Ojai ....

It was held at a local Jr. High School in a little theater they have on campus. Before the show, Anne and a friend came on stage to thank everyone and to introduce Dr. ? from the Pesticide Free Ojai organization to speak for maybe four minutes about pesticides and their harmful effects on all of us. Pretty interesting stuff, to be honest.

The opening act was Jonathan McEuen who was quite entertaining. It was part music act, part comedy act (well, not really, but he was funny). He's obviously a very talented guy, great singer, great guitarist, etc. Great purple jacket. Great bus (pictures are coming soon and will explain). He did a few tunes by himself and quickly turned it over to Robben.

Now I didn't write down the set list so I'll give you what I can from memory:

How Deep in the Blues
Lateral Climb
The Way that you Treated Me
There'll Never Be Another You
Indianola
Riley B. King
Peace On My Mind
Lovin' Cup
Supernatural

I'm sure I missed one or two.

Robben busted (very nicely) a girl right in front of me in the very first row because she wasn't clapping. After one song, he looked at her, smiled and laughed and said, 'You're not gonna clap? If you see in the front row, you gotta clap.' :-) I think she clapped from then on.

The sound wasn't great in the theater, pretty muddled, to be honest. The stage was very high and set back from the audience which took away a little of the usual close to the action feel and the room was very bright because of all the sunlight coming in. But even so, I'm sure nobody was disappointed because they put on a great show and played with as much heart and enthusiasm as they always do. These guys could put on a great show at a bus stop so just take these comments as observations, not complaints.

And of course, let's not forget the real purpose of this whole thing and that was to help a friend of Robben and Anne's. I'm sure this took a tremendous amount of work on Anne's part and many, many others as well and they did a terrific job. I hope they raised a shitload of money for Tara and I hope she's doing well.

I'll put a few blurry pictures (no flash, of course) up soon.

Jim
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

Jaba · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:00 am Post subject: Sunday 4 O'Clock Performance

I concur with the above. Very energetic show, well paced, and great song selection. I was a bit disappointed that he didn't do any of the old stuff like "Bridge of Sighs" or "Day of the Eagle". Oh Well.

PierreL · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

Bridge of Sighs ? Ahem...are you not confusing with someone else, like a certain Robin T. ... ?

Daved · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

Robben and I both sat in the wings enjoying Jonathan's performance during both shows.

For those who do not know, Jonathan is the son of banjo picking, Ojai resident, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band... John McEuen.
_________________
B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

PaulG · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:42 am Post subject:

I attended both shows. Sorry I didn't see you other guys, but I DID wear my red carnation.
It was nice to see Daved supporting Robben, though I didn't make it back to say hello afterwards. Robben used his new Sak... guitar, his 335, and his beloved Tele. He used the 335 more for his 'effect' leads, with more feedback, etc.
I won't add much more than the others have already offered, but here are a couple points I noted:
- 2nd set version of Lateral Climb was sick! Just crazy good! Best I've heard him do.
- 1st set version of Lovin Cup was the shortest I've heard him do. Bummer.
- Does this man EVER repeat a thought? I cannot believe how he consistantly pours out fresh ideas each and every gig, with the same songs. I know of no player that is so 'new' each time I see him.
- The fund raiser Baked goods were killer. Great brownies. No seeds.
- Travis Carlton is really good! Great solos in both sets. Forget which songs.
I hope they do another one down the road.

JohnnyZ · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:46 am Post subject:

BlueRunner · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject:

jconstant: You got 'em all except: "Cannonball Shuffle" and "Don't Deny Your Love."

@ the 4:00 o'clock show, Travis' solo on "The Way That You Treated Me (You're Gonna' Be Sorry)" was a monster. He seems to be shedding a lot of his shyness, too.

Robben's work on the volume pedal on "Riley B. King" was the farthest I've ever heard him go into effects-land.

Tos brings a tremendous jazz sensibility (with a rock foundation) to the trio. His underhand stick-motion gives him tremendous physical and rhythmic flexibility. At one point during his knockout solo on "They'll Never Be Another You" my wife grabbed my arm and whispered "how does he DO that?" I thought she meant the physical part, but between tunes she -- who has no musical training -- said she was referring to the amazing way he was able to "drag" the beat behind Robben, then thunder back in, in the way that the surf at the beach has an overall rhythm, but the waves themselves first flow out, and then come crashing back in. Great allegory.

Here's hoping both Travis and Tos stay with Robben for a long, long time.

As for the McEuen boys: They've been a local fixture as they've grown up (as has their Dad). Jonathan has had the larger public success, and is always worth a listen, whether with a full band, or solo. His brother Nathan hasn't had quite the same traction, but if you ever get the chance, don't miss him, either. He's a fabulous club entertainer. One night he and his stand-up bass player had a really rockin' tune going when the waitress sat a young couple at one of the tables next to the stage. Nathan and the bass player came to a simultaneous mid-measure stop, as Nathan looked down at the couple and whispered into the mic, "Uh ... you're late," and then immediately went right back into the song. He's got another tune with a sort of "Sketches of Spain" sound in which he accompanies himself by puckering up his lips and doing a dead-on Miles Davis into the mic, and then breaks to talk about how his "trumpet player" has been giving him a hard time over what he pays him. Both Jonathan and Nathan had the same parents, but somehow Tommy Smothers got some of his genes into Nathan's mix.

As for the talk by the rep from Pesticide Free Ojai: This is a credible and reasonable group. E.g., not a "People for the Ethical Treatment of Vegetables" type. While there may be different information about the issue, the speaker knew that everyone's concerned about health and the increased incidence of cancer, and also knew that the music was the main thing. His presentation was concise, interesting, thought-provoking, inclusive, and no longer than in needed to be. And given Anne's concerns about environmental health (hope you all check out her monthly notes on her web site), completely appropriate. Or to put it another way, this old agri-chemical lawyer appreciated it.

And finally: Would have loved to say "hi" to Daved, but didn't want to interrupt his work between shows. Daved: Have a GREAT time with the band in Europe.
_________________
- BlueRunner

jconstant · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject:

roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:38 am Post subject:

It sounds like this was a great event. Thanks for posting the reviews.
_________________
Travelling by train of thought

Tele295 · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject:

Bluerunner - are you local in Ojai? I'm down in Ventura
_________________
You got a motor like a brand new car....