Event reviews

Robin Trower

Robin Trower @ The Customs House

Robin Trower @ The Customs House, South Shields, 17/04/05

There is an old tour poster from the mid-70s that advertises Robin Trower’s pending arrival at the Newcastle City Hall that winter. Bright orange letters scream out his name.

Underneath the garish calligraphy, is a black and white picture of the man himself, slightly hunched over his Fender Stratocaster, eyes closed, shoulder length hair falling around his neck, and a pained, bucked grimace on his face. A man in total concentration, as he performs his art.

It must have been around 1974 when that photo was taken. The same year that Trower’s classic Bridge of Sighs was released. Perhaps the pinnacle of his career, the album is drenched in the wailing sounds of Trower’s guitar, and the growling, bluesy vocals of his then bass player, James Dewar.

Classic

The ‘white Hendrix’, as he was often referred to in his early days (rightly or wrongly), took to the stage at South Shields Customs House with a relaxed smile, and a wave. His hair is greyer, his skin wrinkled, but the grimace, as he launched into the opening track, Too Rolling Stoned, was classic Trower.

It’s not often you get an extended guitar solo on a gig’s opening track, but here Trower pulled no punches, delighting the crowd with a series of frenetic guitar bursts, as his tight rhythm section provided stern foundations.

Davey Pattison is the vocalist, and he’s got an impressive set of lungs, though it’s a shame that the sound quality lets him down. An excellent singer, but his voice gets slightly buried by the sheer volume of the guitar.

That said however, when Pattison performs on the slower numbers, the quality shines through. The songs Daydream, Bridge Of Sighs, and the new track, Please Tell Me, are vocal highlights.

Perfection

The new stuff holds up well with the classics. Sweet Angel, What’s Your Name and Living Out Of Time compare favourably with the older material. Robin’s timing, as he takes the solo on Another Time, Another Place, is perfection.

Trower in 1975 (Photo by Hans Ivarsson)

Day Of The Eagle is a hairy, lolloping, beast of a track, that roams the stage in an uncontrollable fit of guitar rage. Trower’s wah-wah pedal is put to good use, producing a sound that is compatible with everything you would expect from a Robin Trower gig.

There are no gimmicks, no light show, just four men playing great, bluesy rock ‘n’ roll. And it wouldn’t be a Robin Trower gig without several large servings of complete and utter self-indulgence. His lengthy guitar jams may have occasionally had my backside shifting uneasily on my seat, but there was no denying the passion with which he played his instrument.

The encores were greeted with rapturous applause, as the four men strode back on stage for one final showdown. A double helping of Come To Me, and the sumptuous instrumental, Secret Place, rounded off a great night of Robin Trower’s music.

Set list:

Your comments

SteV1Da
It's over 25 yrs since I saw Robin at Hammersmith Odeon & always wanted to do so again. So good was this gig that both me and my wife were lost for words at first, then had to sit & talk about what we'd just witnessed for 20 mins or so before I bould bring myself to drive home. Awesome ;o)

TONY COLE
SAW THE GREAT MAN TWICE IN 74 BOUGHT TICKETS FOR SHEFFIELD AS THAT WAS THE NEAREST GIG, THEN ADDED MY HOMETOWN LEEDS, HEY CALL ME GREEDY BUT I WASN'T COMPLAINING TWO GREAT NIGHTS HOPING HIS CURRENT TOUR LATE 2005 WILL INCLUDE LEEDS OR SOMEWHERE NEAR 31 YEARS IS TOO LONG A WAIT FOR ANOTHER MEMORABLE NIGHT OF GUITAR HEAVEN

Stuart Archibald (Canada)
I'm a guitarist myself that has studied Robin and others (of course) Robin being my fave. All I ask and hope is that Robin Trower will come to Canada and play the East Coast. You are worshiped out here by thousands and we need our fix!!

mark teed
bridge of sighs tour 1974 in Erie pa.... I was 14 at the time he had a orange stratocaster that scream !!!one of the best shows of my life where does the time go ???

Neil Calandra
Traveled al the way from the states to see the man...As always a perfect performance. And for those who think or say he sounds like J.Hendrix are not listening..they are not even close

David Dalziel
Travelled from Glasgow down to Fleetwood gig as Robin has been one of my favourite guitarists for as long as I can remember.The sound was excellent but felt the band didn`t seem too interested at times but Robin was faultless-a wall of sound but complete control.Hope the great man ventures north soon David Dalziel

Michael Gibbs
To experience Robin Trower is to be a witness to the mastery of true artistry created on the electric guitar. How rich in talent Robin, and a great few are part of an incredible music history that began at Lord Sutch's jammin' mansion! and much more, indeed- never to be forgotten.

Spencer Smith
Saw Robin in Gloucester, after listening to his music for more than 30 years, what a night, what an experience, I am no guitar expert but he is the only guy who can give me a serious case of goosebumps just by listening to the sound of that guitar. All power to you Robin!!

trevor hartley
seen the main man in southampton absolutely awsome he is like a good wine he gets better with age

Nick
Caught his show in London.......amazing...... keep on Rockin' Robin!!!!!!

TREV REED
With and excellent rhythm section and capable vocalist Robin Trower did not disappoint. Ever since I heard 'Daydream' I've been hooked on the man's tasteful guitar technique. It was the first time I have savoured him live and I was enthralled. The bass player caught my attention, as much as the great man himself, with some blazing bass work. After the concert we had tickets and c.d's. signed and got to shake the maestro's hand, a very amiable guy and a pleasure to meet. A great night all round.

Chas Thomason
They used to say that this guy was a 'Hendrix clone' Well all I can say is that if Hendrix could play like that he must have been some guitarist! The control and pure artistry were a delight and I hope that this is the first of many returns to the North East.