Robben Ford Discussion

[Pablo]

Great show at Yoshi’s last night with a few surprises. Robben was very relaxed. As an example, Robben was wearing a blue and red striped rugby type shirt with blue chords. Usually he dresses with some flair, but last night he looked like he was ready for a Saturday afternoon doing chores around the house.

He switched between the Tele and the Carlton Goldtop. He sound was clear, clean, and loud. In fact, he stopped to hand out ear plugs several times to the tables in front between songs. He apologized at one point to a lady sitting directly in front of his 2X12 cab but said, “That’s the way it’s gotta be!”

The first surprise was that he brought out Anne toward the end of the show and she did two songs off her upcoming album. The first was a jazzy number with the entire band and the second was just her and Greg. I really liked the second song.

The second surprise was the encore of Supernatural. I was thrilled to get an encore as Yoshi’s is usually pretty prompt and succinct and when the set is over, the lights come up. But Robben and the band came back out and did Supernatural which is such a heavy song. The wah-wah work is unique on that song and he just tore it up on the Goldtop.

As already mentioned he switched between the Tele and Goldtop and used his regular “brown/tan” tolex Dumble rig. I did notice an additional black Dumble head and 2x12 off to the right-side front of the stage, just inform of Andrew Ford. He played really clean most of the night with tons of mind blowing rhythm work and multiple note/chord solo sections. All that stuff is not as flashy as the single note runs, but really unbelievable. He’s always working it – singing, fills, rhythm – everything.

Here is the set list as I remember. It may not be complete, but close, and it’s not quite in order…

Over My Head
Indianola
Homework
Chevrolet
Good Thing
Don’t Make Sense
Cannonball Shuffle
Anne w/ Band
Anne w/Greg
Lovin’ Cup
Supernatural

- Pablo

[Daved]

[Michael]

Sometime life is just not fair -- the 2nd Dumble and all. I watched the first show sitting in the center booth next to Anne's. While I always enjoy a Robben show ... I was disappointed in several aspects. It felt rushed and sounded a bit disjointed. Robben kept fussing with the Gibson trying to keep it on pitch. I could hear those songs a 1,000 times ... but it would be certainly appreciated by me if Robben would change it up. Perhaps a new cd would help. It was a long drive for a show that ended so soon. I've never felt that before.

[Pablo]

We'll Daved, I guess you can't give to much away before tonight, but are you willing to give us any clues?

[Pablo]

[Daved]

[Daved]

[Michael]

I guess the house has control over who gets in to mark seats and at what time; however, I've seen Robben many times before at Yoshis - Jing Chi and just Robben. I generally take in the first show as it is a long commute and need to be at work by 5 AM. In every case with the exception of last night, Robben's sound check was done well before 6 PM. It was made known to us by Yoshis that access would be given for seating at that time. I know this because we usually make dinner reservations. As I came in last night, Robben glanced over and remarked ... "What are you doing?" Several others noted how agitated he was and commented that the first show will no doubt be somewhat of a bust.

Obviously I have no control over any of this ... I just want to enjoy Robben at his best ... as in most cases .. it always is. I was hoping for more as I cannot attend any of the other shows. Sucks for me.

[Bill Morgan]

[quote="Daved"][quote="Pablo"]We'll Daved, I guess you can't give to much away before tonight, but are you willing to give us any clues?[/quote]
How about... there's a spare Dumble rig sitting there.
Hmmm... I wonder who else uses a Dumble O/D Special rig? [/quote]

Would his initials be LC?

Bill

[Red Suede]

Gotta be, Bill. Sorry to be missing this one, although the Kuumbwa show was my favorite Robben so far. The 1st show he was on fire. Oh well, i'll just have to make do with the Robben/Larry show at Montalvo in June. Hah!

[Bunnylover]

We'll be at Montalvo, too. Looking forward to it.

[BlueRunner]

Wow. So many thanks to all of your for your reviews and notes. Almost as good as being there (but only "almost").

One thing, though, and I hope no one takes it the wrong way. Let's face it, I'm as much of a GAS-aholic gearhead as the next guitar player, but ...

A few years ago my wife and I had the privilege of hearing Robben and Anne together (with Roger Kellaway) at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in L.A. Amazing. So here is a show that's about incredible music, incredible musicians, and Anne coming out on stage and singing a couple of numbers with Robben and the band, and folks are still thinking about the Tele' vs. the Les Paul, and some "mystery" Dumble that appears to be hanging out with the crew on the edge of the stage?

OK, that's off my chest. Robben's apparently on his way down to the Canyon Club, near us, come this August. So I'll get my chance. In the meantime, to you folks who made it to faraway Santa Cruz and Emeryville: You super-fortunate dogs, you!
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- BlueRunner

[Daved]

Well, the special guest planned for tonight couldn't make it. Bummer.
BUT, there are still two nights to go...

As for tonight's show, though, the band got in a good productive rehearsal today, finished by about 20 to 6 so we could let the house open their doors early, and were very comfortable, in great spirit, and ready for showtime.

They were all quite happy with their performances this evening, throwing a couple of Robben's less regularly performed songs into the sets, and raring to dive into tomorrow's shows.
_________________
B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

[Ian Hurtt]

Special guest.....?

I made both of Friday nights shows (just got home) and thought that Robben might just have been checking out gear. Maybe next time....

[roadwarriorfortheblues]