I was really shocked to realise that it`s been a decade since I last caught up with Iconic British Blues maestro Robin Trower and ironically it`s at the same venue where I caught his powerhouse trio last time and again tonight Richard Watts joins on vocals and bass, while Chris Taggart is the bedrock of this trio on drums.
Robin Trower released his brand-new studio album `Come And Find Me` last month and MVM said quite rightly that no one plays guitar like him and tonight for seventy five minutes he proved that and so much more.
The lights dim as the trio walk on stage and open with `The Razor`s Edge` from 2022`s `No More Worlds To Conquer` which shines a light on the failure of world leaders today, a kind of slow burn with some guitar riffs that bring Hendrix to mind. After leaving Procol Harem it was Robin`s second album, the now Gold certified `Bridge of Sighs` which brought him commercial success and he shares a blistering version of `Too Rolling Stoned` from said release before slowing the pace with the reflective `Wither on the Vine` where he has, I kid you not, his guitar almost weeping. If the guitar cried on the previous number, well it almost mimicked a human voice and talked on `Somebody Calling`, I swear.
`One Go Round` from the latest release gets an airing, “a number about you only getting one go round, so try and make the most of it,” Trower explains. `It`s Too Late` which was originally recorded with Jack Bruce is delightfully thoughtful before it`s back to `Bridge of Sighs` and the scorching `Day of The Eagle` which blends into title track `Bridge of Sighs`.
`Daydream` is as the title suggests is imaginative, soulful, trancelike, and spellbinding before a final cut from `Bridge…` leads us out with the stunning `Little Bit of Sympathy` with it`s searing masterclass of riffs.
This rapturous packed audience were on their feet demanding more and the trio duly acquiesce with two numbers `Rise Up Like the Sun` and the dreamy `Birdsong` from 2022`s `No More Worlds To Conquer` a song that the artist has said he feels is best thing he`d ever done.
Despite cancelling some dates last year due to an operation this octogenarian legend shared an emotional masterclass with hypnotic grooves and powerhouse numbers from his vast career. After Robin completes the six UK dates he`s back to the States for two dozen dates that will keep him on the road until July. Just looking at the schedule ahead made me exhausted. Tonight was a real joy to catch up with somebody who quite rightly is acknowledged as a guitar genius and legend and I can only hope it won`t be another decade before our paths converge again.
There`s only two dates remaining in the UK so if you want to witness a living legend in the flesh you`ll need to get a step on.
