Robben Ford Discussion

[fingerlakes]

Just wondering if anyone will be attending tonights show in Johnson City ( Binghamton ),NY. It's a little bit out of the way, but perhaps someone will be making a road trip. If so, please find me and let's introduce ourselves. I'll be sitting 2nd row center and I'll have 6 teenage musicians from our school jazz ensemble with me. I'm 50ish ( wife says I look older ), brown hair ( wife says gray ) and could stand to lose 20 lbs ( wife says 30 )

I look forward to possibly meeting someone from this wonderful group of people.

[JohnnyZ]

[fingerlakes]

I didn't notice any pirates in the crowd, but lots of two fisted drinking going on and more than your fair share of big ole gals that could probably kick my ass. This was definitely a different crowd than at a regular Robben Ford gig. Venue was pretty nice, had a seated chair area right in front, and tables on the sides and in the back. The place was packed to the rafters, I'm guessing 1000+ in attendance. Like i said before, a lot of really innebriated folks at this show, but for the most part they were well behaved and security guys were right on top of things.

Tony Furtado opened the show. He played solo and featured a slide acoustic guitar and also played some solo banjo . He had a nice voice, that complimented his bluesy style well. I was thinking to myself that his music sounded like the sountrack to " Cool Hand Luke " or an early Burt Reynolds movie, when Tony announced that he was going to play a southern prison work song. For a guy from Oregon,he really nailed this type of music. We enjoyed Tony's set very much and my son purchased one of his cd's.

Gregg and the guys opened with a slower, funkier " Whipping Post " with Gregg playing an acoustic guitar, which he also played on about half of the songs. On " Melissa " and " Midnight Rider " Robben did a tasty job of comping against Gregg's picking so that both guys could be heard very clearly. As usual, Daved had the guitars in fine form.

Floyd Miles sang 3 songs, the first was kind of a Curtis Mayfield funky number, and the others were blues shuffles with kind of a BB King sound to them. The horn section ( great trumpet player ) really blasted away on these tunes, as well as Robben cutting loose with wonderful solos on these tunes that were perfect for him. I noticed a lot of people sitting around me commenting on Robben's playing in a " who is this guy" kind of way. The folks were very impressed. The fellow behind me asked me what a good starter would be to begin collecting Robben's recordings.

Gregg looked absolutely happy and radiant and had a non stop smile on his face throughout the show. For a guy with a rep for hard living , he looked like a vision of health to me. His voice was strong and clean, but his and Floyd's mikes could have been a little louder in my opinion. Robben's rig was also not as loud as one gets used to at his shows.

On one song Robben ( not a big guy ) stood between Gregg and Floyd ( two pretty big guys ) and he looked like a kid up there with them, but sure didn't play like one. I noticed Robben massaging his right biceps quite a bit during the show like it was bothering him a bit. Maybe that goes along with all of the playing on a tour.

We enjoyed this show, but the bottom line for me is that I drove the 90 miles to this show to see Robben , and I wish there could have been more of him. The solo time seemd kind of short to me and he wasn't featured as much as i had hoped. I realize that he was a sideman to Gregg on this tour and is not the kind of guy who would ever try to steal the show, so to speak, and that's my only complaint with this show. He was obviously smiling, laughing and having a great time with this bunch of guys. One could see in Gregg's face how much he enjoyed Robben's playing.

Liz.......White long sleeve tee shirt with the words " faith,hope and charity" on it, blue jeans, shiny black shoes.

[Bluelobster]

Thanks for this tasty review.
Obviously stretching the tunes miss a lot ....
Hopefully this will bring a serious new audience to mr Ford, at least i do hope so

[elizabeth]

Thank you for all of your great reviews...GODDDDDDDD, I wish we could see some of these shows in the Bay area. No pirates or drunks, just MMMMMAJOR fans (like myself.) Someone needs to let Robben and Gregg know that it is sunny, clear, nearly 70 degrees, and we would love to see them.

Fingerlakes, if you ever have a problem with anyone trying to kick your ass, let me know and I will send them to the principal's office.

love, elizabeth

_________________
www.elizabethgage.com

[telefunk1]

Finger - great review. How did the high schoolers you took with you react to the show?

[Bluelobster]

[fingerlakes]

Liz......Thanks for your offer of protection from the female bullies of the world. Although missing out on this tour you certainly don't have any shortage of great music out your way. In the next 3 weeks at Yoshi's alone are McCoy Tyner, Vital Info, Joey DeFrancesco,and Pat Martino. Wow. If I lived out there maybe they'd let me set up cot in their storage room and just live there.


Telefunk....The kids loved the show. Particularly the guitar players among them. I get a kick out of the expressions on their faces when something really cool happens at a live show. They don't have a 35 year history with Gregg's music like I do, but thay all enjoyed Gregg and Robben and Tony's music as well.


" Woke up this morning, had them going to work with 3 hrs sleep blues"

[elizabeth]

Boooo? What's up with that? Why boo???? Lobsterman, don't be so crabby!

Fingerlakes, I didn't mean to sound like a spoiled brat...I know how lucky we are here, but I want it allllllll! Yoshi's is such a treat; I think it is my favorite venue to see Robben. I'm sure Yoshi would find you a nice little cot.

_________________
www.elizabethgage.com

[Ian Hurtt]

Sounds like you had a good time, wish the show would come out west!

[Daved]

Fingers,
Nice to meet you and put a face to the name. Was hoping to see you for a minute after show. Would have passed along a couple of Robben's pix for you and the kids, but if you had a 90 minute drive in the cold ahead, I'm sure you needed to hit the road. Oh well. maybe next time.
Glad you had a good time & enjoyed the show.
take care, cya 'round!
_________________
B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

[fingerlakes]

Daved,

I also enjoyed meeting you prior to the show. I appreciated the offer to hook up after, however, it was late and I had kids with me who had midterms the next day who needed to get home. Next time.

[jms]

I also saw Gregg Allman and Friends on Feb 1 in Johnson City (near Binghamton, NY). I came down from Ithaca with my wife and another guitar playing friend who shares my appreciation for RF's guitar playing. We had great seats sitting in the four row center. It was a great experience with Robben playing an incredibly flamed Les Paul standard through his Dumble. The color of the guitar blazed (as did his playing) as the lighting changed and IMHO it really added to the show. The band and Robben funkified several classic Allman shuffles and Robben's interpretation of "Melissa" was remarkable. Robben was really into it and he was really enjoying rhythm playing and doing horn licks with the 3 piece horn section. Inspirational. It was great once again to see how much he enjoys playing rhythm and how his energy and smiling presence really lights up the band. I thought the warm-up act was excellent but I really don't understand why they think they need a warmup act. As a performer myself I think most people are coming to see the main act. Of course the extra time allows the venue to sell more booze. Wow - there was alot of drinking going on. A picture of Robben and of his dumble are at: http://thepurplevalley.com/rf.jpg and http://thepurplevalley.com/dumble.jpg

[fingerlakes]

jms,

You went to the show from very close to where I live. I am sending you a personal message. Nice review.

[Bill Morgan]