Robben Ford Discussion

[edpesco]

In the current German "Gitarre und Bass" mag is an interview with Greg Howe where he mentions a clinic he had joined in 1989 with Don Mock and Robben. First Robben laid the chords and Don Mock played a wonderful solo with all arpeggios and scales you could imagine and Greg thought what can Robben do after this? Can this ever be topped? And then Robben played three notes and this was IT! He had never heard anything more musical and intense in his life beforeand this experience still impresses him.
That's what I love Mr. Ford for: he can play all those scales and stuff but when it comes to the point he can also bring out the essential.
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[FatTeleTom]

Nice story and observation, and I agree completely.

As I was reading your post, I was listening to the Greg Allman and Friends show with Robben from the last tour stop in Chicago (courtesy of JohnnyZ, I believe), and was marveling at what Robben was able to add to those songs.

Very little venturing into harmonically complex territory here, and no "jazz" to be found.

Just impeccably tasty, soulful, and exciting playing, whether he's ripping over a blues number or supporting one of Greg's softer numbers.

I would imagine it's the same sort of thing that Howe was referring to.