Robben Ford Discussion

[elizabeth]

Great day, great venue, great crowd, great river (thank god, it was a bazillion degrees, and it felt soooooo good.)

The whole day was fantastic, but the highlights for me were (of course) Robben, Etta James, and Elvin Bishop.

Robben was in superb form (looked like a new haircut, wearing green shirt with sparkles, white pants. and big smile.) The gentleman who came with me was seeing Robben for the first time live and was totally blown away. (His comment was that Robben was in a completely separate class than the rest of the acts! Now he wants to go to every show when Robben plays Yoshi's...another convert!)

Hilary was on fire, as were Dewayne and Bob, and they all took their turns at smokin' solos, including one "duel" with Dewayne and Hilary, which was just fabulous. I love to hear the comments of those around me ("...WOW, that woman can PLAY the drums...) Bob seems like such a low key guy, but he is one of the sax greats in my opinion. He seems to know exactly where and when to place his contributions.

During one of my trips INTO the river (ahhhhhhhh, it was really hot and the water was so nice!) I looked up and saw Daved working on pre-show details behind the stage. I yelled his name, and he looked over to greet me and give me a big smile. The man who was with me was really impressed at the meticulous work Daved does DURING the show. There was something wrong with Dewayne's amp (and maybe with a Mic or something of Hilary's) and he was there in a flash, totally unobtrusive, and the hero of the day. My friend said it was apparent that Daved accepted nothing less than excellence...nice job as usual, Daved!

Elvin Bishop was a tasty treat. I don't know how the man does it; he alluded to life's troubles a few times, especially when he introduced his "What The Hell is Going On?" tune. He went wireless at one point, coming down from the stage and into the crowd (I was front row, center, so "up close and personal" is a vast understatement.) He is a master, and I just love slide guitar...there is something so sexy about it!

Etta James. What can I say? She was in fine voice and humor, and she really radiated when she introduced her three year old grandson, who she said could, "...play the shit out of the drums" and she was right! What an adorable child and proof of the genetic component of musical talent; the drummer and bass player were her sons, so there you go. Talk about great genes!

When she sang "At Last" it was an indescribable experience. That has always been one of my favorites, especially when SHE belts it, and ohhhhh it was soooooooo good.

I took a few lousy photos...tried to post them, but David, I don't think it worked. I'll mail them to the Captain, and thanks in advance.

Oh, and I took both my children to see "Fahrenheit 9/11" tonight. DO NOT MISS IT...it is disturbing, but people MUST learn the truth about this shameful administration. Michael Moore is a genius, not to mention a courageous visionary.

love, elizabeth

P.S. Thank you again for all the birthday wishes (they continue to arrive...how cool is that?) and I am still waiting for, well, you know...I'm an eternal optimist!


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[LongIslandRod]

Glad to hear about Robben performance, I always enjoy reading posts from die hard fans like myself.

However, I don't think this is a forum for political opinions -

That said I need to say this:

Michael Moore is not a genius, his propaganda will destry this great country.

Political correctness and the ACLU is protecting those groups of individuals who have a strong desire to harm us.

I'm done -enough said -

[keitheva]

Hot, hot, hot indeed! As your friend said, Robben was in another league. Only he (and his awesome band) gave me goosebumps. Bummer that he couldn't do an encore because of time constraints. I haven't seen him for a while, but that won't happen again.

An aside - anyone know of a used Fender Robben Ford signature guitar for sale, please let me know.

Cheers,
-Keith

[elizabeth]

Rod (and everyone,)

If I committed a faux pas by commenting on Farenheit 9/11 in this forum, I apologize. However, I urge everyone to see this movie, if for no other reason than to see how Bush's "Patriot Act" and "Homeland Security" policies are poised to undermine the ACLU, destroy our Constitutional Rights, and eviscerate the very foundation on which America was conceived.

Movies, press, literature, music, and other media will never possess the power to destroy; thankfully, they merely inform. The compromise of our first and second amendment rights, however, does have the potential to create a terrifying tear in the fabric of freedom. Lives have been sacrificed (and continue to be) in the seemingly insatiable hunger for money and power. I believe we owe it to those who have died (and their families) to honor them with factual investigation. I hope we will never consider human beings to be "collateral damage" as was decreed by Timothy McVey in the Oklahoma City bombings.

Once again, if this was an inappropriate venue in which to post these sentiments, I humbly apologize, and will consider editing and/or relocating those comments. My reputation for integrity and fidelity as a Robben fan will, hopefully, underwrite any blunder I may have exhibited. I welcome all of your comments and feedback, and I value your opinions.

Thank you.
Elizabeth

"All we are saying is give peace a chance."
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[jconstant]

[elizabeth]

Keith,

I share your feelings about the lack of opportunity for Robben to perform an encore, particularly in light of the fact that other acts were permitted to do so. Fortunately, that detail did not mar a brilliant performance by Robben, Dewayne, Hilary, and Bob. They were spectacular and are truly in a league of their own.

elizabeth
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[Bluelobster]

[Bluelobster]

[LongIslandRod]

Elizabeth,

Thanks for the apology and your sincerity.

Let me share something...

I live in NY, Nassau County Long Island to be exact and to get to work I have to cross the Whitestone Bridge, I work in Westchester County.

I remember driving to work on 9/11, I was so happy that morning because it was a gorgeous day. I thought this day could not be any better. My view from the bridge was spectacular; I have a vividly clear view of the Manhattan skyline, which is only a few miles away.

Flash to after the both planes hit around 10 AM, I'm at work - My reaction is I have to get home, NOW!

Then I hear all bridges are closed and roads are closed. I was stuck in Westchester County across the river, far away from my family. I'm quietly freaking out, I thought this really might be the end. The world I knew had changed.

Later in the day they opened the bridge in my direction. I flew out to my car and drove home as fast as I could, which was slow because I was not alone, everyone wanted to get home ASAP. It was surreal; F16s and Black Hawk helicopters were flying over my head. I never experienced anything remotely close to this in my lifetime, I made it to the bridge in 3.5 hours, and usually it takes 15 minutes. Now my vividly clear view of the Manhattan skyline from the bridge was dominated by a big black cloud and smoke from where the twin towers once stood. The cloud and smoke trailed for miles. It was haunting. The smoke was visible from the bridge for ten day after 9/11.

I made it home that day and thanked God.


After that day I have no sympathy for people who speak out against this country or try to be politically correct to protect our enemy - the extreme left is going to destroy this country. Their actions side with the enemy.
I consider Michael Moore the enemy!

[Bluelobster]

And you wERRRRREEEE SOOOOOOOO LUCKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYY
NOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTT TO BBBBBBBBE IN PARIS (OWS LE CAPITALE DE LE FRANCE ) When they Bombed in the Tube, in the streets , in Stores way back in the 90's .

You look like egoistic child , just open your mind like when you listen robben playing a regular tune and have the choice of enjoying a lot of perspectives like when you try to paint .........

[elizabeth]

Whether or not you like or dislike Michael Moore is not the issue here. If you witnessed, first hand, some of that horror, I think it is crucial that you know that Bush made big money from events that followed 9/11, as well as the fact that he had been informed of the impending attack and chose to ignore it. The chartered planes that escorted the Bin Laden family out of the US in the days following the attack should, at the very least, create some righteous indignation even in the heart of the most passionate, conservative Republican. These facts are well documented and are not disputed by Bush or his representatives. I fear for my children, as I believe that freedom is being ripped away from us. If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.

A government that rules its people predicated on fear and dishonesty is a scary place in my humble opinion. Give me Clinton and his sexual appetites ANYDAY over the genocide that can be attributed to this administration. In a recent poll, 54% of Americans stated that they believe that our decision to bomb Iraq was wrong.

After the movie was over, there were several audible comments in the audience which followed a boisterous applause. I saw tears on people's faces, and I said (to no one in particular) "So, are you guys going to re-elect him?"
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[Aeolian]

Many of us here are the board are of the same basic "generation" as Robben. That is just to this side of the hippie movement, as it waned but still imprinted us. Leaves a slightly left leaning tendancy.

I have to admire Robben for keeping his politics and religon out of his music for the most part. But you can still see the humanist outlook that he has in the way he conducts himself and occsional songs like "You Can't Make Peace", which brought huge ovations at every show I've seen him do it, especially given his core audience.

I think the issue here is not one of conservative vs. liberal politics or ideologies. Or of whether terrorisim is bad and how it should be stopped. I think the point Elizabeth is making is one of ethics and opportunitism. The blatent bilking of our tax dollars into a few select pockets is no different than if I did a little cosmetic surgery on my MusicMan and put it on e-bay as a real Dumble, or if I posted clips of Robben claiming that it was me that played it (someone actually got busted for this stunt on another board).
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There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
My Stuff: www.stevekirbymusic.com

[telefunk1]

On the one hand I hang around this board because as a political scientist (yes, a pointy headed academic) I am neck deep in this kind if debate all the time. Music helps me get away from it and focus for a bit on some other stuff that means a lot to me. Having said that, however, there is a strong and passionate link between music and politics that cannot and should not be forgotten. You say want a revolution? The summer is here and the time is right for fighting in the streets, boy. Hey there baby, step into my big black car... And so on and on, but you get the point. Why did RF cut Peace Love and Understanding, anyway?

But let's focus on how this got started. Elizabeth posted a suggestion to go see a movie. That's all, and then she made a personal statement about how important she thought it was for people to see this. Is this inappropriate? Not really, people are making suggestions on here all the time. (Don't go see Around the World in 80 Days, by the way, rent the original.) If you think Moore is an idiot and a commie pinko, so be it, don't go see the movie. I can't listen to Jing Chi, but when I criticize it I try and be productive and respectful of those who do enjoy it.

Couple of other points. Blob is so correct - we Americans are naive if we think this kind of shit only happens to us. This drives me nuts, personally. Many other countries live with these tragedies every day and have so for years and years. One person (pres bush) and one movie (F 9/11) are not going to change this - it will only change if people like you and me do something about it. I know it is a cliche, but to think globally and act locally is the way we, through voting, music, film, volunteer work whatever, can and will change the world.

A - you are right , there are a lot of us older left leaning types on the list, which is cool. We need to be aware, however, that all ages are attracted to RFs music and they bring with them different perspectives on the world today. I know I would be a much different person had I not witnessed Vietnam and Watergate, not to mention Iran-Contra, etc.

Finally, Rod, dissent from the status quo and speaking out against this country is not only a right it is also an obligation, to paraphrase the late Justice William Brennan.

Peace, always.

[Aeolian]

TF, Thanks for bringing it all back to earth. That about does it for me. Now, how about hearing some clips with the organ trio?
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There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
My Stuff: www.stevekirbymusic.com

[midc74]

Gosh... Is this what you have to do to get some replies to your concert review?? heh I should go back and edit mine, and throw in some debate material.

TF: "Why did RF cut Peace Love and Understanding, anyway?" What exactly do you mean by the word "cut" here?


Patrick