Robben Ford Discussion

[srammell]

Hi All,

last night I went to see Steve Winwood on the first night of his tour. Totally prepared to be underwhelmed in so far as I thought the gig would be a very 'world music' based show given his current musical leanings - however it rocked, very bluesy and soulful

He had the most amazing drummer I've seen in a long time - think Animal of the muppets, arms everywhere, a fantastic percussionist and the guitar player got better and better as the show went on. There was also a great sax player who doubled up on the Hammond when SW played guitar/ mandolin.

Now this sax player could have been Bob Malachs twin, seperated at birth, he used his sax just like BM as a lead instument(even using a Wah Pedal with it on occasions), as well as a supporting instrument. Very funky and kept just the right side of the 'line' (if Sax crosses that line it becomes MOR in my opinion).

There was no Bass guitar, all duties provided by the B3 organ and storming percussion.

Now, the main reason for this post is the point when he played Keep On Running. Now I'm old enough to recall this original, and it rocked last night, as performed by the 'original' artist, it showed me how faithful to this version Robben's is/was - however for me it also had a different effect, I found myself listening and singing along with SW and then when the guitar came in I though this isnt right?.

I guess an original song recorded and sung by a different artist can be done in many different ways/styles (Robben stayed faithful to the original), but I found myself waiting for the Robben guitar parts - tone, attack, emotion etc to kick in at the appropriate points and they were'nt there.

Proof if needed, that even when RF records non-original material he has the ability to make it his own - which is the mark of a gifted musician