Man standing on a Phoenix staircase with a sign which says ‘1 or 2 tickets required’

Friday 9 May 2008, Phoenix Arts Centre, Gandy Street, EXETER EX4 3LS

Picture the scene. There’s a man standing on a staircase holding a hand-written sign aloft towards the crowded bar below. It reads ‘1 or 2 tickets required’.

Just like last night, I notice a marked change in the crowd. Is this a function of the venues selected or has Robin Trower suddenly begun to breakthrough to the breadth and diversity of audience he so richly deserves in his own country?

Musically, tonight’s revelation is Glenn Letsch. I am stationed right in front of him for most of the show, watching his every move.

Put simply, Glenn Letsch is the ‘King of the Dance’. No, I don’t mean actual dancing but dancing bass lines. A very good example of this is the ‘James Brown’ quality to his playing on ‘Victims of the Fury’. Tonight, this approach really lifts the hit single Robin Trower never had.

There’s raw power and light / shade in abundance throughout the set. The secret, I suspect, is great musicianship, great songs and refreshingly, a spirit that, in fact, less is actually more.

The whole set is a massive success with tonight’s audience. Their warm and vocal applause is infectious and really gives Pete, Glenn, Davey and Robin a huge lift. The sound quality is absolutely crystal clear from pretty much everywhere in the hall. This is one of the best shows I have ever seen.

This is Alan Howard for ‘Steve’s Place’ reporting from the Phoenix, Exeter in south west England. 9 May 2008.

Click here to view photos taken at the gig by Steve Davidson

Click here to view photos taken at the gig by Andy

Return to homepage for more fan photos and reviews or click below for more robintrowerlive.co.uk reviews

Brighton No Time for farewells      Exeter Totally sold      Bilston Blistering Bilston
Glasgow Dedicated to Jimmy      London Let me hear you say YEAH!      Manchester Pride comes before a fall
Sheffield Balls of steel      Southampton From Portswood to poignancy
Stratford-Upon-Avon The play’s the thing      Birkenhead Fab Four in Birkenhead
Fleetwood Fulfillingness’ Fleetwood Finale      For more reviews visit Steve Shail’s site here!
 

If you have any info or comments please get in touch by e-mail.

This site, first realised in March 2005, is a howardtowers production published by Alan Howard from Bedfordshire in the UK.