Robben Ford Discussion

JavaDiva · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 10:43 am Post subject: Chris Cain

I'm going to see Chris Cain play tonight. I went to his website to try to find out who is playing with him, and tonight and tomorrow night's shows are not even listed on the tour schedule. C'est la vie. I noticed the same thing with some of Robben's shows last summer. What's up with that?

Aeolian · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 12:13 pm Post subject:

It's unfortunately a mercenary business and sidemen often have to be rounded up at the last moment. Normally Chris has Dewayne Pate on bass but Dewane tours with Robben so that has priority. Typically Taylor Eng plays drums but the last time I saw Chris, Taylor had some other commitment and Chris was able to grab Randy Hayes (from the Unscheduled Flight album) who was fortunately in between Coco Montoya tours. Usually Richard Palmer is the keyboardist, but I've seen David Mathews and others in this chair. There are a lot of great players up there in Portland and Chris may elect to work with any number of friends up there as well. At these levels, what they don't already know, they can feel out, and other than the smiles across the stage, no one is the wiser.
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JavaDiva · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 2:02 pm Post subject:

Fortunately for me Robben is not touring, so I'm hoping to see Dewayne play. Saw Randy Hayes play with Coco last week - he did a killer drum solo. Very talented bunch of players with Coco. By the way, what band(s) do you play in?

elizabeth · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject: Chris Cain next week for me!

JavaDiva, I'm right behind you...Chris Cain at Montalvo next week...then Robben a month down the road from that!!!! YESSSSSSSSS!

love, elizabeth

ohmygod, it is 7:50 and I am still in my classroom...going home now! Smile

(But I had the stereo blasting with JM's Miles of Aisles...and a very young Robben Ford playing with the L.A. Express.)
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JavaDiva · Posted: Sat May 15, 2004 12:13 am Post subject:

Elizabeth, I have that Joni Mitchell CD too (and the record album from years ago). A very fine photo of a very young Robben Ford in the liner~
Chris Cain played iwth Tyler (Taylor?) Eng on drums, Gary Hineman on bass, and Louis Pain (from Portland) on B3 organ. Excellent show, great venue; not very crowded tonight. He was wearing a suit and tie, dress shoes - quite a contrast to the overalls and tennis shoes he wore last time I saw him at a festival.
A - how was Tab?

Aeolian · Posted: Sat May 15, 2004 9:35 am Post subject:

Opps, you're right it is "Tyler". Isn't Hienman a Portland guy too? Glad you liked it. Chris seems to have two modes of dress. Elizabeth and RW didn't believe me that he'd show up in Overalls, thanks for confirming this ;) Always plays great though.

Tab was better than I expected. His voice was strong. He looks a bit older and cleaned up but still has that Cajun vibe. His guitar playing was much improved. When I first saw him, he couldn't get through a basic blues lick without muffing at least one note. Last night he played decently the whole first set. Started muffing notes on the second but then started a slow blues where he did really well. Seems the harder he tries to play, the more trouble he has. When he's going soft, the tone is much better and the feel improves. Hope you enjoy it.
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JavaDiva · Posted: Sat May 15, 2004 11:53 am Post subject:

Chris did play great, and sang great too, even though he was fighting a cold. I was thinking this morning that Hienman might be from Portland - he doesn't have that California look (no tan).
Glad to hear Tab is sounding good, I'll see him here next Friday.
I ran into someone last night that is going to Santa Cruz. It would be fun to come down for the show and to meet you guys. Are you planning to be there Elizabeth?

Julie

elizabeth · Posted: Sun May 16, 2004 9:12 am Post subject: Santa Cruz? Moi?

Mais, bien sur! Wouldn't miss it! (Wish RF was playing, but oh well.)

Aeolian, you will never get protest from me about CC's wardrobe. He is the Hawaiian shirt, Ivy league sweater, overalls, Armani suit man, depending on his frame of mind. Multi-style...I love that. (He looks good in them all! I'm still convinced he was the boy in my Algebra class in junior high...he even seems to still have some of the outfits that boy wore...minus the Armani suit, of course.)

Speaking of Chris, I am now afraid to write about the "s@^#-eating grin he gets on his face when he plays." I'm so inappropriate. The use of the word "fondling" is out, too. I wonder how they feel about caressing? Can I caress an amplifier (especially a Dumble) or is THAT off limits too? Jeez, what CAN I do without offending someone???? Well exCUUUUUUUSE me!

I know, I think I will go and savor my latte now...just in case that may become inappropriate any time soon...could smiling be next???

love (uh-oh, that is probably not okay...I know the peace sign was considered offensive...WTF?)

elizabeth

(Don't start with my little green friend, either....I'm not parting with him, no matter WHOM it might bother!)
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Aeolian · Posted: Sun May 16, 2004 12:07 pm Post subject:

Elizabeth,

Just imagine what that close minded parent would have thought if you were "fondling a Fuchs" Shocked

Come to think of it, Two Rock has some interesting implications. Never thought about it that way before. Embarassed

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JavaDiva · Posted: Sun May 16, 2004 5:08 pm Post subject:

Ah, yes, the decision to travel would be much easier if RF was playing - I would have had reservations weeks ago.

Elizabeth, sounds like you're ready for the summer off. You need live music and dancing in the aisles, and lots more blues and lattes.
(And so does you little green friend.)

Fuchs everything else.

elizabeth · Posted: Sun May 16, 2004 9:23 pm Post subject: Fuchs everybody.

I love you guys! Smile

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Aeolian · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 9:20 am Post subject:

JavaDiva, did you see Tab? What did you think? Different bag than the Robben/Scott Henderson/Fusion thing a lot of us on this board are into.
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JavaDiva · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 11:02 am Post subject: Tab

Not yet ... Tab is here this Friday, 21st. Looking forward to it after your review of his show this last weekend. On another subject, do you have general admission or golden circle tickets for the Santa Cruz festival? Liz?

elizabeth · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 7:25 am Post subject: Hey Aeolian...

Chris Cain was phenomenal...(of course) and that sax/harp man who played at JJ's (Danny Hull?) plays with Shane Dwight now...tasty little show, even if I do have big bags under my eyes this morning! I love Montalvo. Chris Cain is mind blowing (what a stupid expression, but I mean it!) The guy is not only a first rate musician, but one hell of a nice man. I took a "newbie" to see him last night, and even he commented on Chris's persona...Dewayne was great on bass, too. But that keyboard guy (David Matthews) TORE UP THE KEYBOARDS...WHOA!

JavaDiva, I will e-mail you tonight...still clearing up details about Santa Cruz...

love,
elizabeth

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Aeolian · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 11:41 am Post subject:

So was it a suit or overalls kind of night? Cool

The Carridge House would be a great venue to see Chris in. On my way back from the clinic I stopped by Moe's and ran into Shane playing there with Danny Hull. Danny was also playing keyboards (did he do this Sunday?)

That is my favorite Chris Cain line up. As great and tasty as Richard Palmer is, as you said, David Mathews really tears it up. I think he pushes Chris and you can tell they're both having a ball.

On the clinic review thread there are some comments about Robben's comping or background playing. I think Chris is really underrated in this department. If you listen carefully, he's all over the fingerboard with little tasty partial chords running melodies. And no matter how many empty beer bottles are sitting next to his amp, he never makes a mistake. This stuff is as natural for him as walking. Talent and years of dedicated practice make it look easy, but it ain't. There is something really special going on.
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There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
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