Friday 20 April 2012

Robin Trower is one of the greatest blues rock musicians of all time. Still touring and recording after 50 years in the business, 2012 will see him back on the road across Europe. This unofficial UK fan site celebrates Robin, his incredible band of supporting players and their music.

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Silverhead reunite for Tokyo shows

Long-term Trower sticksman Pete Thompson is currently tearing it up in Tokyo! Reuniting for shows on 20 and 21 April, Pete’s former band Silverhead will be rocking the city’s Shimokitazawa Garden. For more information on the reunion visit the band’s and Pete’s Facebook pages! Photo from Tokyo by Izumi Nakatani.

More Classic coverage for Robin and EMI’s latest Chrysalis compendium

The May 2012# of Classic Rock magazine carries a substantial review of EMI’s ‘Farther Up The Road 1977-1983’ box set. Reviewer Hugh Fielder, who is clearly a great fan of Robin’s early material, picks up the story at the time of the release of ‘In City Dreams’ and the concurrent explosion of punk and, later, the new wave of British heavy metal.

Gamma reunite for Montrose tribute show

The life and work of Ronnie Montrose (1947-2012) is being commemorated through a special show taking place at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on 27 April. The cast of stars paying their respects include many of Ronnie’s career collaborators, most notably Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani and our very own Davey Pattison and Glenn Letsch. Many of us here in the UK well remember Ronnie sharing the stage with Robin at ‘The Night of the Guitars’ shows in 1991, captured on film forever, thankfully, such a magical night!

Set List news from Germany

Trower fans! Word reaches us of the addition of two classic covers to the set list on the recent tour in Germany, notably Elvis Presley’s ‘That’s alright Mama’ and ‘Little Red Rooster’(perhaps most fondly remembered in the UK thanks to the Rolling Stones). Some interesting song order changes too. Catch the the full list here!
      Check out this YouTube clips of the first four numbers (16 March 2012) Also the band in action on ‘Too Rolling Stoned’, three days later!

2012 UK Trower Power Trio Tour is GO! Dates in, so far:
Fri 21 Sept: Quarterhouse, Folkestone Venue Website
Sat 22 Sept: Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne Venue Website
Sun 23 Sept: Waterfront, Norwich Venue Website
Weds 26 Sept: The Stables, Wavendon MK Venue Website
Thurs 27 Sept: O2 Academy, Islington Venue Website
Fri 28 Sept: Arts Centre, Pontardawe Venue Website
Sat 29 Sept: Citadel, St Helens Venue Website
Weds 3 Oct: The Robin 2, Bilston Venue Website
Thurs 4 Oct: Fibbers, York Venue Website
Fri 5 Oct: Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Venue Website
Sat 6 Oct: The Picturedrome, Holmfirth Venue Website
Thurs 11: Oct Concorde 2, Brighton Venue Website
Fri 12 Oct: Guildhall, Gloucester Venue Website
Sat 13 Oct: Phoenix Arts Centre, Exeter Venue Website
 

Second Box Set to complete Chrysalis remasters

On 27 February, EMI issue a second set of remastered Trower albums from the Chrysalis back catalogue. The collection, titled Farther On Up The Road, features recordings from 1977 to 1983. The three-disk set contains remasters of six albums - In City Dreams, Caravan to Midnight, Victims of the Fury, Back It Up and the two Jack Bruce albums BLT and Truce. A 7” version of Bluebird and One In A Million (the b-side of the Victims of the Fury single) are included too!

Trower power trio to headline East Coast Blues Festival shows in June

Solid Entertainments have announced that Robin Trower will headline its two East Coast Blues Festival shows in Durham (Saturday 23 June) and Cleethorpes (Sunday, 24 June). Full details here! Tickets are £25 per day (or £38 for both shows subject to using Solid’s credit/debit card hotline on 01472 349222).

Trower fans. We can also reveal. A full UK tour will follow in Sept./Oct. Fingers crossed!

Robin to play Harlequin in summerfest warm-up show

Redhill’s Harlequin Theatre has been chosen as the location for a special warm-up show. Robin and the band will be playing there on Friday 22 June, as a warm-up for their headlining sets at the East Coast Blues Festival shows in Durham and Cleethorpes. Tickets for the Redhill show are available now priced £18 from the theatre box office on 01737 276500.

Trower power trio to tour Germany in March 2012

Robin, Chris and Richard’s first live shows of 2012 take them to Europe, for nine shows in Germany, one in The Netherlands. Thank heaven for the German music business. I sometimes wonder whether many international artists would be able to go on tour in Europe at all if it wasn’t for the dedication, loyalty and passion of managers, venues, promoters and fans in Germany!

Classic Rock commends Repetoire Reissues

Reissues of three Trower CDs - 20th Century Blues, Another’s Day’s Blues and What Lies Beneath - come in for much praise from Paul Moody, writing in Classic Rock magazine. In particular, Moody singles out What Lies Beneath, which he lovingly describes as “combining dusky arabesques (Wish You Were Here), scorching swamp-funk (Sleeping On The Moon) and stoner blues (a geniunely trippy Time and Emotion), Trower is on fire throughout.”

Thurs 15 March

Luxor Live, Arnhem, Netherlands Venue Website

Fri 16 March

Downtown Blues Club, Hamburg Venue Website

Sat 17 March

KJK Sandgasse, Offenbach Venue Website

Sun 18 March

Hirsch, Nurnburg Venue Website

Mon 19 March

NEW Spectrum, Augsburg Venue Website

Wed 21 March

NEW Kulturscheune, Saltzgitter, Braunschweig

Thurs 22 March

Helmanthaus, Twist Venue Website

Fri 23 March

Cafe Hahn, Koblenz Venue Website

Sat 24 March

Ducsaal, Freudenburg Venue Website

Sun 25 March

Harmonie, Bonn Venue Website

All we want for Christmas!

As 2011 heads for the exit, now’s the time to get your order in for Christmas and to see what the New Year may bring. For Trower fans here in the UK, still recovering from the surprise but nonetheless very welcome 2011 tour, can we expect a brand new CD featuring the sensational new trio? We very much hope so, yes! Top of the wish list, though perhaps, has to be more live shows here in the UK and also in Europe? To see Robin, Chris and Richard playing live here in the Spring would be terrific!

Discover Vincent’s Dutch Masters

Many thanks to Vincent Lyons who has posted some first-class footage from one of Robin, Chris and Richard’s final shows of the European tour, in the Netherlands. The sound quality on Vincent’s clips from The Turning and Bridge of Sighs from the gig is second to none. Vincent says “Robin played a brilliant set in Breda, a real treat!” Watch the master craftsman in action. Enjoy!

Robin joins Blues Band on stage in ‘Help for Heroes’ fund-raiser

Robin (stage right) and pianist Paddy Milner joined Paul Jones and The Blues Band on stage at The Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square, London on Saturday 22 October 2011. The gig, organised by Blues for Heroes, was a benefit for ‘Help for Heroes’, a UK charity which funds care and support for servicemen and women. The show culminated in a rendition of Reconsider Baby with the ensemble augmented by Ian Siegal and the Matt Schofield Trio (with thanks to Gary Haggarty for the You Tube link!).

Jacky’s iPhone pics from The Brook

Sadly a trip to The Belfry meant I didn’t get to check-in in Southampton or take up my place to see Robin, Chris, Richard and the crew down the road in Portswood. Many thanks to Jacky for sending in these shots from the show here!

Richard posts Classic Robin at The Robin

Professional rock photographer Richard Ward has published some cracking photos of Robin and the band from their 5 October 2011 show at The Robin 2 in Bilston including this For Earth Below-esque shot! See for yourself by clicking on this link to Richard’s excellent site.
   BTW, got a Tweet in from David Rae @warycat from Lincoln “Return of the power trio: great gig at Bilston, Richard Watts superb bass & vocals.”

Thank You Scotland!

A BIG Thank You to Trower fans who posted clips on YouTube from the band’s shows on the weekend of Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September. Here’s a great selection ...
Fri 23 Sept, Glasgow ABC: Somebody Calling & For Earth Below
Sat 24 Sept, Aberdeen Lemon Tree: Somebody Calling (Outro) & The Turning
Sun 25 Sept, Edinburgh The Caves: The Turning (Outro)

Plymouth vets first with feedback from fabulous Falmouth

Once again, it gives me great pleasure to feature feedback from fellow fans on this website. Long-standing fans, Jim and Sam Pearce made the short 60-mile trip farther on down the road to Falmouth to see Robin and the band. “Have to say that Robin's playing just gets better and better,” says Jim. “I left stunned. The band seemed to be having a lot of fun!” Catch the review here!
 

Patrick captures closing Sighs at The Brook

Many thanks to pro-photographer Patrick Eden for sending in a link of his short film of the outro to ‘Bridge of Sighs’ as played by Robin, Chris and Richard at The Brook on Thursday 6 October. Having made all the necessary arrangements, I ended up missing the show so watching Patrick’s clip certainly helped to make up for my disappointment! Cheers Patrick!
   Coming Soon! Some great shots of the show from Jacky from Kent!

Ronnie Kerrigan on Robin’s show at Edinburgh Caves

Many thanks to Ronnie for posting his review to us via Twitter!  “The stage at The Caves definitely pulsated with talent on Sunday. Great crowd response Robin and band looked and sounded energised and delivered a high octane musical experience. A performance without precedent.”
   To read Ronnie’s full report, visit his fantastic website here!

Robin, Chris and Richard play the O2 Academy, Sheffield

Another great show on the road with the brand new Trower power trio, this time, in South Yorkshire! Catch our review here.

Derby youth triumph for the fan from down under

Richard Booth, who lives in Australia, arranged his trip home to England to visit family and friends to coincide with Robin’s show in Derby on 15 September. “Just thought I'd tell you what a great show it was,” says Richard. “The band really enjoyed themselves and a great night was had by all. By the way, what’s the secret to Richard Watts’ youthful looks? If he toured with Robin in 2001 (yes, he did) he still looks about 18!” Oh, to be 18 again! I don’t think so.

Weyfest clip online

Many thanks to Patrick Haveron for shooting a short video feature on Robin’s recent appearance at Weyfest. Bringing the total number of clips on Robin’s Official YouTube channel to 20, the extract from Bridge of Sighs is topped and tailed by Robin himself. Enjoy it here!

There’s more of the show here too ...

Thank You Paul Jones and Radio 2!
Robin, Chris and Richard made their debut as a trio on national radio tonight (12 September). Listeners tuning in to Paul Jones’ weekly dose of rhythm and blues were treated to a blistering 9-minute version of ‘Daydream as recorded live at the recent Great British RnB Festival. Trower fan, Steve Meek said “I’ve emailed the show to say a big ‘thank you’. What with recent tracks played on Johnnie Walker’s show, it’s good to see Robin getting the recognition that is well overdue.”

Got the album? Got your tickets? Now get the T-shirt!

In keeping with the standard set by the tasty new CD and the sensational new backing band, Trower fans can now get their hands on the official tour tee online! This essential new upper body ‘robinwear’ item is a top quality production. These images of the front and back of the tee will give you the idea. Available in Medium / Large / X-Large / XX-Large. Price £12 plus P&P. Go on. Treat yourself! To order yours log onto www.manhatonrecords.com now!

Richard and Chris kickstart their UK tour at Stables MK

A sell-out crowd greeted the brand new Trower line-up for their very first live show in the UK. It was a moment to savour. Catch the set list and review here.

Enjoy these videos from the show posted by rulle2008 on YouTube: Confessin Midnight; Day of the Eagle; Little Bit of Sympathy; Not Inside - Outside.

Tonight’s the night!

Can we believe it? Yet more opportunities to see our favourite guitar hero! How fantastic is that? Just when we’d started to believe we’d been given more than our fair share of Robin Trower live, here in the UK, came news of this very special tour. Wow! It’s Robin’s seventh UK sojourn in as many years. Some exciting developments; different band and some ‘never played there before’ venues like tonight’s (28.8), created many years ago by the late great John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, in the Jim Marshall Auditorium. Bring it on!

National press gets the show on the road

What a joy to see our hero adorning the pages of the nation’s favourite newspapers! Placed by Robin’s management via The Gig Cartel, the ads will have caught the eye of Trower fans, old and new, in recent weeks. Today’s Sunday Mirror (28.8) has a striking, playing card-sized ad on page 40 promoting eight dates of the tour. Read all about it!

Cherry’s pilgrim’s progress

Robin’s UK tours have enabled several up and coming acts to reach new listeners. Support slots have introduced the likes of Jon Amor and Aynsley Lister to Trower fans from Aberdeen to St Ives. 2011, being no exception, brings Cherry Lee Mewis into the mix. Her homepage uses the strapline ‘blues powerhouse meets hillbilly boogie’. Sounds to me like Trower fans, known for their love of firebrand, full-throttle vocalists, will simply adore her style.

Guitarist celebrates fifty years in show business

Guitarist magazine is one of the UK’s leading music titles with a circulation of over 30,000 copies a month. For its July 2011 issue, the mag caught up with our hero, despatching Jamie Dickson to pose the questions and Joe Branston to take the pictures. The finished five-page feature finds our hero in reflective mood, elated by the journey thus far and the optimism which the future brings. “If you’d have asked me when I started out in The Paramounts where I’d have liked to end up, I’d have been happy with much less.” 

There’s a new Virgil in town

Virgil who? The classical poet from Rome? Or the diminutive all-action hero with four brothers (and strings attached)? Now here’s a brand new contender for Virgil glory. Virgil McMahon is widely acclaimed as one of the brightest blues talents to have emerged in ages. What’s more the young guitarist will be supporting Robin on some of his 2011 dates, backed by his kid brother, Gabriel on drums and bassist Jake Timmis.  

Trower band line-up for UK and European dates announced!
This website is thrilled to announce that the Robin Trower Band will revert to a three-piece line-up for shows in Europe, this autumn. What’s more, Robin has enlisted the services of two English musicians, both of whom have previously collaborated with Robin on earlier Trower projects. Richard Watts, on bass and vocals, is no stranger to Trower fans having toured extensively with Robin over a decade ago. His fabulous vocals can be found on Robin’s ground-breaking Go My Way album. Drummer Chris Taggart features on three of the top tracks from Robin’s What Lies Beneath CD (inc. Time and Emotion!!!)  Wow!

Robin Trower UK 2011: the playful heart tour

28 August The Stables, Milton Keynes Link   Support: Cherry Lee Mewis
29 August The Great Briish RnB Festival, Colne Link to Festival website
3 September Weyfest 2011, Farnham Link to Festival website
15 September Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms, Derby Link   Support: The Idle Hands
16 September O2 Academy, Sheffield Link   Support: Virgil and the Accelerators
17 September Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal Link   Support: Virgil and the Accelerators
22 September Band on the Wall, Manchester Link    Support: Virgil and the Accelerators
23 September O2 ABC, Glasgow Link    Support: Virgil and the Accelerators
24 September The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen Link
25 September The Caves, Edinburgh Link
5 October The Robin 2, Bilston Link
6 October The Brook, Southamptonr Link    Support: Cherry Lee Mewis
7 October The Cheese & Grain, Frome Link
8 October Pavilion, Falmouth Link to Festival website

Robin Trower has enjoyed notable success and critical acclaim as a guitarist, composer and producer. He graduated from RnB outfit The Paramounts and prog-rockers Procol Harum in the 1960s and went on to release over 20 solo albums. He’s toured and recorded with some of the best in the business, an incredible supporting cast list including James Dewar Davey Pattison; Glenn Letsch, Reg Isidore Pete Thompson.Richard Watts Chris Taggart Jack Bruce and Gary Husband.

Robin joins Focus, Groundhogs and The Enid on second day of Surrey festival

Taking place at Tilford’s Rural Life Centre,just outside Farnham, Robin Trower will play Weyfest on Saturday, 3 September 2011. For more info visit the festival website here.

Chesterfield blues band handed support slot

The Idle Hands Blues Band will support Robin Trower on 15 September at Derby’s Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms. The four-piece band features Phil Allen on vocals, guitarist Dave Robinson, Paul Heydon on drums and bassist Jamie Burns. Find out more about the band by visiting their website here.

Robin hails James, Reg, Jimi and Donny on national radio

Legendary broadcaster, Johnnie Walker invited Robin Trower to host the ‘My 70s’ feature on his popular BBC Radio 2 show. In the broadcast (Sunday 29 May), Robin talked about his early solo career, credited Reg Isidore for introducing him to Donny Hathaway and cited War’s ‘The World is a Ghetto’ as his favourite album of the 70s.

Rave reviews greet Robin’s Playful Heart

Having been remastered and re-released by Repertoire Records, Robin’s latest CD has been generating much positive comment in reviews, both online and offline. Amazon UK’s customer review facility being no exception. “The CD sounds fantastic. The title track is a fabulous song, instantly memorable not least due to unusual chords and chord sequences that Trower creates effortlessly. He also comes up with quirky and thought provoking lyrics.” (D Morgan, West Yorkshire).

Vote for Robin

Please vote for Robin in a national blues awards competition. Robin is one of six players entered in the race to become best British Blues Guitarist of 2011. The vote closes on 31 July 2011 with the winners announced in September.

Graham goes global

Having graced the front page of Robin Trower’s official website, photographs taken by fan Graham Whitmore have now been used in an online interview with our hero. The article by Guitar International, which scores an amazing 1.4m page views a month, focuses attention on Robin’s US tour and Playful Heart CD release. Sadly, Graham’s Trower pictures, taken in Derby, go un-credited. Nevertheless Graham, we salute you!

EMI release treasures from the BBC archive

A new Trower double CD includes five radio sessions featuring Robin, James Dewar, Reg Isidore and Bill Lordan. 10-tracks from the Beeb’s January 1975 radio concert master tapes appear in their original broadcast form (i.e. minus the dubbed applause found on the Windsong CD release). As Ronnie Kerrigan puts it in his online review “classic rock and blues at its finest: soulful, passionate, emotional, sincere, moving.” Read Ronnie’s review in full here.

60 dates Stateside

Best wishes to Robin, Pete, Glenn, Davey and all the crew as they step out on the second-leg of their 2011 US tour. Let’s hope plans to record one of these upcoming shows for a subsequent DVD release comes to fruition! Keep up to speed by reading Pete’s daily tour blog here.

Sensational New Studio CD out now

The Playful Heart CD is truly wonderous, a thrilling collection of brilliant, new material from Robin Trower. Audiences here in the UK caught a glimpse of the album in September 2010 during the band’s 14-date tour with tracks such as Find Me, The Turning and Not Inside - Outside included in the set list.  But the full 11-track CD offers plenty more magnificent moments. Available now from online sellers and the trowerpower store!

CD New CD from Trower supporters The Jay Tampkin Band

Jay Tamkin and his band supported Robin Trower on a number of UK tour dates in September 2010. The band has recently recorded its second album, which is due for release in 2011. Keep an eye on the band’s site

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