Robben Ford Discussion

Daved · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject: Country Robben?

Robben has been long known and respected for his ability to sit in with damn near any artist and style and excel (from Burt Bacharach to Kiss)... Jazz, pop, rock, blues, etc.... but what about 'country'?

For you RF completists, you might want to check out Brad Paisley's newest CD, American Saturday Night.

It contains a song entitled, "Oh Yeah, You're Gone", co-written with Robben, with Robben credited as sharing electric guitars with Brad.
I remember Robben laying down overdubs on this song when we were at Stagg Street Studio in Van Nuys cleaning up the "live" tracks he had recorded the week before in San Francisco for his new Soul On 10 CD coming out in 2 weeks.
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frank0936 · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:54 am Post subject: Country Robben

I can often hear country licks and phrasing in Robben's playing. I think it may be from his father?
Frank

FatTeleTom · Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 191

The Paisley album probably won't appeal to everyone on this list, but if you like his work, you'll probably like this new album. It may be my 2nd or 3rd favorite of his, with Mud on the Tires being my favorite. I'm not much of a country fan, but Brad's approach really works for me.

The song co-written with Robben is a definite highlight. Some of Paisley's trademark earnest-but-humorous lyrics, and a really nice, slow vibe.

Closer to a soul tune in feel, but with some really nice pedal steel work (call it a country soul tune I guess). No hot country chicken-picken here.

Brad and Robben both play some really nice lead stuff, mostly in a call/response format. Paisley provides the growly overdriven Tele work, with Robben chiming in with beautiful clean tones (sounds like a clean Tele neck pickup to me).

Recommended.

telefunk1 · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:04 pm Post subject:

found the audio track on youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K54RjNVC_CQ

BP is a hell of a picker, and from what I hear a very nice guy who always pays tribute to those who came before him. And he is a real fan of great players like, RF, and a total gear head. So not surprised by this collaboration.

Unfortuately the song is kind of Nashville lame, IMHO, even wth some good picking by both players. Would not really describe this as "country" by traditional standards (Buck Owens, or JC, for example), but it is in total sync with what passes as "country" these days. Basically pop music with steel guitar.

Not trying to be too critical cuz a collaboration of this kind is very cool and I am sure BP has a lot of respect for RF, and vice versa. What would be even coolerl is if RF had BP on one of his tunes and let Brad cut lose with what he does best. Like what Sonny Landreth did with EC, Vince Gill and Eric Johnson on his latest release. THAT would be good stuff.

frank0936 · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject: BP

You should hear BP and B.B. King doing "Let the Good Times Roll". Brad doesn't take a back seat to anyone!

bluesman · Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 219 Location: UK

Nice song and lovely playing from both.
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stechmann · Member Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Denmark

Is that a strat Robben is playing?

Danny · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

I had no idea Robben played on/helped write this song. I've been listening to this album for the few months it's been since it came out, love it!
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lemonjefferson · Senior Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 83

I liked watching Robben play the slide with John Hiatt - great stuff and just goes to show how flexible Robben is.

Also people forget when they try to cop Robbens style - its not just a few jazzy licks....they better go away and spend a good few years getting the Jazz thing down and then come back and study Robben!

Red Suede · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:41 am Post subject:

Exactly right. Some guy on "The Gearpage" tried to compare Robben's slide playing to Sonny Landreth's and I had to point out that Robben did that over 20 years ago and that I would bet that Sonny is nowhere as versatile as Robben, especially when you get to the jazz harmony he can incorporate. Nobody does what Robben does. As close to a complete guitarist as there is to me, and it's because his harmonic knowledge and how musical artforms are to be interpreted is so good he has most people beat in this way.

lemonjefferson · Senior Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 83

I dont think its impossible to achieve Robbens tone and its no shame to copy Robbens tone(Ive had a very rare and amazing amp made for me that gets there - not a Bludotone - which in my opinion sounds nothing like a dumble).

however, everybody thats chasing Robbens style forgets they need to study Blues and Jazz and build up their fingers with those styles then you can learn some Robben licks and youll start to understand how he thinks but by that time youll want to get your own style going anyway!

So I think the biggest thing you can take from Robbens style is the fact that you need to do some homework - study and get to know your harmony learn the difference between a dim7 and m7b5 and get your own style!

Funkalicous · Member Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Denver, co

Is that a fact? How many Dumbles have you played/owned?
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Jon07 · Member Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 37

Red Suede · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:14 am Post subject:

The only difference Jon07 is I said "more versatile" not "better".