Robben Ford Discussion

Michael · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:25 pm Post subject: The Empire Club

Yes, it's true ... I've got 4 tickets to see Robben at the Empire Club in Sac Town next Thursday. Last time I saw Robben it was at Harlow's with just Dewayne and Hillary ... great stuff.

JavaDiva · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 12:40 pm Post subject: So How Was the Show?

How was the show Thursday night? Reviews? I know a bunch of you northern Cali folks must have been there ...

jazzyblues · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 2:08 pm Post subject:

I didn't get to go, but I know someone who did. He said Robben and band were excellent. But the club was too small, only a couple of places to sit...and it was way too loud for such a small club. These are HIS words.
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rainmkr63 · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 3:06 pm Post subject:

Shows are almost always too loud, have you ever seen a G3 show?? Its ear splitting. I always bring one piece of cotton, just about a pea size in each ear takes the edge off. If I don't do that my ears are thrashed after the 3rd song.

Later
Rob

Michael · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 9:09 pm Post subject:

The show got off to a bad start ... my opinion and I'm a huge Robben Ford fan. The mix was off. Robben is generally right on the money in starting a show on time. This show started almost an hour late. Roscoe walked in in what appeared to be 7:50PM - perhaps not his fault. Robben seemed a bit agitated the first few songs and in my mind just went thru the motions. He was trying to get Roscoe to turn it down a bit.

I sat front row in front of Roscoe and back about 20 feet from the stage. And while I know the bass lines were all there ... it was muddied by either the volume level or the mix. The best sounds of the night came when Robben brought the whole band down.

It was also clear that Roscoe was filling in and there were a few times when the drum and bass did not create that special goove and were fighting a bit to get it.

Nevertheless, I got my money's worth and enjoyed the show. This is the first time I've heard the Les Paul and on the rocker tunes it was a favorite. Robben seems to carry more of an edge with that guitar. But on the bring it down blues side ... I prefer the tele tones and the Baker, but that just may have been the mix and the room.

The best to you!

Daved · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 9:32 am Post subject:

Michael · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 1:18 pm Post subject:

Daved:

I sincerely appreciate your explanation. I knew something surely was up. I've seen Robben many times going back as far as the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach with the Yellowjackets. This was my first time to the Empire Club and I suspect Robben's too. The guy on the curb was nothing but a jerk and while everthing may not always be right - I would travel far and wide to hear what I consider the very best. Robben is a personal inspiration to my family as his music became a muscial connection I had with my Dad. While he was suffering from pancreatic cancer at UCLA - he was plugged in to Robben's album - the one with the song revelation - tapping his foot in the hospital bed eager to share his headphones with the nurses - (just a cool memory). My son, now 16, has not missed a Robben performance (after agreeing to hear him one time), has attended his Sacramento clinic, and is inspired to practice. This is why I think its important for kids to be able to hear Robben play and this can only happen in clubs that allow for such. So please keep doing what your doing.

adlibmusic · Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 1

My wife & I were at the Empire when he played. He plays very good!!! We would never dispute that. With the exception of the volume and limited to no seating, we enjoyed seeing him. However, we were very disappointed that he started so late.
The advertising in the Sacramento Bee said "Robben Ford will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Empire". The ticket I bought said Robben Ford at 7:30. There was never any mention of an opening act in any of the advertising I saw and no mention of it even on this web site.
Like I said, we did enjoy seeing him and would really like to watch him play longer, but we left after only 45 min. Couldn't take the volume or the lack of seating any longer. Geezz, I must be getting old! Sad

Daved · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 6:44 am Post subject:

If the advertised showtime was actually 7:30... then my apologies as we specifically asked about the advertised times when considering what to do about our conflicting time info.

I can absolutely assure you that, if we had known what the patrons were hearing was 7:30, then that is the time you would have seen Robben on onstage.
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( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

Michael · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 12:57 pm Post subject:

I can confirm - I've seen Robben countless times and as I said in my earlier post - Robben is always right on the money when it comes to taking the stage. Everything we had said 7:30 ... and since Roscoe walked in front of us in what appeared to be a late arrival ... our party thought the lateness was due to travel.

But in any event, no problem here ... I would willingly wait as the performance is more than worth it. This has always been the case.

point11 · Member Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 11 Location: calgary

I was queuing at around 6:15 PM outside of Empire and heard the band doing the sound check (Badge, Politician), so I could say that Robben and company were not late for that gig. I was seated along the front row as well, watching our dear Daved restringing the LP and the Tele before the show. That was an excellent show, even though the mixing was not that perfect, probably due to Empire PA system or maybe the place was not designed acoustically.

point11 · Member Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 11 Location: calgary

Here is the setlist at Empire, Sacramento (Thanks to Daved!)
As played in order, (Trio of Robben, Hilary and Roscoe)

1. Over My Head
2. Indianola
3. The Way You Treated Me
4. Lovin' Cup
5. Moonchild Blues (voicings/jazz chords with a hint of Wes M.)
6. Chevrolet
7. Prison Of Love
8. Keep On Running
9. Homework
10. Help The Poor (slow/jazzy version)
11. If It don't Make Sense
12. Badge
13. Nothing on Nobody (fr. Supernatural)
14. Politician

Robben is really a hardworker, singing, comping and doing solos at the same time.

jconstant · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:05 pm Post subject:

Politician? Wow, there one I hadn't heard in awhile. That must have been a nice treat to hear!