Robben Ford Discussion

roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:43 am Post subject:

For anyone interested in this tour, Jorma keeps a diary on his website:
http://jormakaukonen.com/journal/

Jorma usually posts his set lists and general interest (behind-the-scenes) tidbits. I always enjoy reading what he has to say on both the diary and thoughts pages. I've been fortunate to attend two wonderful workshops at his Fur Peace Ranch and by reading his online diary I am reminded of the great times I had there. It also reminds me to practice... Embarassed

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DaveH · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:52 pm Post subject:

Jorma has a house about 6 miles from me. He has a cool mailbox. It's shaped like a guitar, with hot rod flames.

roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:34 am Post subject:

It was nice to read the tour is going well. If I lived in NY I'd be catching every show I could on this tour. I also saw new dates were added in the Midwest, Colorado and California.
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JohnnyZ · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:33 am Post subject:

roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:08 am Post subject:

JZ... I think you misunderstood. Jorma's Journal is about his own set. Robben and Ruthie have their own sets, I would think. Why else would they be driving around in a bus for months Laughing

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Red Suede · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:28 am Post subject:

JohnnyZ that would be so cool. I hope you get to have that happen for you.

Three Chord Monte · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:50 am Post subject:

Tonight in Morristown. Oh yeah. I've held these tickets for months. It took all of my will not to drive into Manhattan on Monday night, but I didn't want to spoil it for my wife by taking in that show prior to our date night.

bigpix · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:56 am Post subject: Motown tonight for me too.

I've been chasing down tix to see Robben for a couple of year and things always got in the way.

I bought two tix, one for a coworker that I turned on to RF.

He can't make it so I'm taking my brother.

Looking forward to a smoking show.

bigpix · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:48 am Post subject: Feb 4 review

The show was what I expected but not what I had hoped for.

Not an all blues show but still very good.

Ruthie did a wonderful acoustic set and her voice really is a delight to behold.

Jorma did his acoustic set which while subtle was impressive. The man just makes it look so easy.

The whole time we sat looking at the backline gear and finally Robben and company hit the stage.

The first couple of numbers needed some mix adjustment and in fact, the bass was pretty much muddy all evening.

After the first number or so someone called out for Talk to Your Daughter and Robben shot back, "not tonight, that was fifteen years ago."

Pretty funny.

His nephew Gabriel was sub par in my view and he held Robben back to a degree. Not tight and right and out of the box.

A great version of Spoonful and few more numbers.

Then Ruthie joined the band, then Jorma with the band followed by Ruthie joining up for the last two numbers.

Once Jorma came back we finally had some smoking blues and at times I half expected to see Grace Slick stumble out onto the stage.

This was the first time I've paid to see a show in nearly thirty years but it was well worth it, even with the constant business calls right up to curtain.

Sometime I'll get to see a full Robben show with his A List band but for now, I am more than satisfied.

It was a well heeled crowd, older like me that I was trying for figure out. How many were there to see who exactly.

A good time was had by all.

Bluelobster · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:02 am Post subject: xxx

fine review
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Three Chord Monte · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:13 am Post subject:

Robben headlined for Jorma Kaukonen and Ruthie Foster last night in Morristown's leg of the "Guitar Blues" tour. Robben said it was the fourth show of a six week stint. The Morristown Community Theater was built in 1937 and recently renovated at great expense. Near perfect acoustics, comfort and value help draw a nice crowd.

Ruthie Foster opened on solo acoustic with a Sam Cooke style original. Nice vocals. She also did a cover of Patty Griffin's "When it Don't Come Easy".

Jorma played an acoustic set. Writing in his blog night (thanks for the above link), Kaukonen called the Morristown show "the best one yet... I'm all smiles."

Robben took the stage with his nephew Gabriel Ford on drums and Dewayne Pate on bass. Robben played the blonde w/rosewood board 60's Telecaster exclusively. He sounded great, but was concerned at times that he was frying his Super Reverb. It sounded fine to me.

Robben played from 2007's "Truth", including "How Deep in the Blues" and my personal favorite, "Moonchild Blues". He also played "Nothing to Nobody", another favorite of mine from his "Supernatural" disc.

The man smoked. The rhythm section hung in there for him and got tighter as the show went on.

The evening closed with all on stage for an encore of "Rock me Baby" and another Blues jam. They followed with two Dylan tunes. "You Gotta Serve Somebody", then the rhythm section departed and Jorma and Ruthie played acoustic while Robben supplied the tasty comping and lead fills, all three trading vocals on "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright". It was a nice night out.

The theater is gorgeous, much nicer than I remembered it. My wife and I will certainly keep our eyes open for future shows. We enjoyed some great Thai food right next door and everyone was relaxed.

Actually, truth be told, the only stress of the evening came from a Sugar Magnolia type older hippie lady sitting next to my wife. She was happy and harmless, but quite the spectacle. "Jorma, F-ing A! You're the Sh-t!" When she lifted her feet over her head, spread her legs and screamed "Jorma, I love you!" it got a little weird. Her boyfriend did a pretty good job of keeping her within their two seats. I've got to give him credit.

All in all we had a great evening, very memorable. No complaints.

bigpix · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:43 am Post subject: interesting connection

A client of mine used to be Jorma's "old lady."

One of my colleagues kept hearing me mention her name and asked if I knew if she used to be Jorma's girl.

I remembered that she had a San Fransisco connection since a couple of years ago she was there acting as stage manager for Meyer Sound's big anniversary bash.

So I emailed and asked her about Jorma to which she replied that like most of us she too has a past.

Pretty funny.

I need to call her and tell her I saw the old man last night.

roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the show reviews. It's too bad nothing at all was posted for the previous shows, but that's how it goes.
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JohnnyZ · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject:

WOW!

More later... Very Happy

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JohnnyZ · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:40 pm Post subject:

"Guitar Blues" at the Bardovon Theater, Poughkeepsie, NY, 2/8/09 [sans flash!]

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