Robben Ford Discussion

[magvike]

I listened to snippets in the store and bought the CD because it sounded like it had potential (and nice tone!)...I have decided, after multiple listens, that the genre Larry has invented is Smooth Blues. Nothing really exciting, kind of a prozac spin on what Robben does so well. It frustrates me to hear someone with such talent lay back so much.....where is the emotion? Where are the dynamics? I played Sapphire Blue and Talk To Your Daughter back to back and there is definitely a LOT more going on with Robben. I admit I'm probably biased, but I hear areas in the SB CD that could just ramp up into some stinging stuff, but never do. Larry just seems kind of uncomfortable playing this stuff. One man's opinion....
Mike.

[telefunk1]

Well said - my sentiment exactly: "Smooth Blues." The lack of dynamics really bugged me too, which I attribute to what I assume was the lack of a group effort. It sounds very pieced together, as opposed to everybody in the same room at the same time. Listen to the drums and horns - there is no interplay and the kicks are all over the place. There are a couple of cool tunes, but for the most part it just kind of lays there and never gets off the line. From what I have heard about the live shows it sounds like they are much better.

For comparison, listen to just about any BB King or Gatemouth Brown set with a horn section - they are so tight on their kicks and accents it is amazing. I opened for Bobby Blue Bland for 2 shows once years ago and man did I get a lesson in how a band can work together. His horn section and drummer were so tight you couldn't slip a piece of paper in between them.

[magvike]

It's the new method of recording that creates the problem, I'm thinking....you play your part, and send it to the next guy, who plays his part and sends it to the next guy...etc..pro tools run amok. I love playing with drummers who are really listening and hit accents either on cue (just from a look or a nod without a long prior discussion about it...) or just because I'm repeating some riff or phrase and they get it. Even though I use the same scales and chords everybody else uses, it's all improvisation to me which is a lot more restrictive if I want to go somewhere and the other players aren't there to go with me....in short, I really like Live playing and I'm not so much into recording.
Speaking of dynamics, have you heard Joe Bonamassa? Check out his live album "A New Day Yesterday". As well as being a smoking guitar player, he really understands the use of dynamics and the ebb and flow of emotional music.
Mike.

[AndyR]

I recently picked up Sapphire Blue myself.

I've been fixated on the "Slightly Dirty" cut, which ironically, I think makes great use of dynamics.

I'm mentally trying to figure out how to transcribe/arrange this tune for my guys to play..."Let's see...replace the harp with wah-guitar...how am I gonna play electric piano and synth horns at the same time? what are those voicings...etc..."

Oh, we'll be doing "Talk to Your Daughter" and "Help the Poor" in our next "batch" of tunes, too!

Andy