Robben Ford performed more than ninety minutes of
non-stop craftsmanship to a very appreciative desert town crowd at The Rhythm
Room, Phoenix, Arizona. The set list contained a pleasing baker’s dozen plus one
encore of songs both from his current release, ‘Into the Sun’ (Mascot Label Group, NY, NY USA) and a
potpourri selection from his vast catalog of work.
Perhaps the show was extra spirited as it was the last
stop on his current 2015 tour prior to departing for a few shows in France.
None-the-less, the sound mix and tone was amazing partly due to vintage amp and
obvious journeyman chops from Robben and the others. Each member of the group
more than held their own when given featured solos and as a unit throughout the
performance.
The set kicked into high gear with ‘Just Like It Is’ from
the 1997 Tiger Walk release followed up with ‘Howling At the Moon’ from the new
CD. Ford dove into an extensive bridge solo more than demonstrating his talent
and command of his rosewood-necked Telecaster.
2014’s A Day in Nashville cut, ‘Midnight Comes Too Soon’ preceded ‘Same
Train’ then ‘Rose of Sharon’ featuring guitarist, David Grisson who ripped into
his PRS as if it were the last song he was ever going to play. Great stuff!
Two more cuts from the current CD, ‘Rainbow Cover’ and
the female response favorite, ‘High Heels and Throwing Things’ were no less
than a guitar clinic for anyone who could follow the fret work by both Grissom
and Ford. The tempo changed into jazzy blues via the 2013 ‘Bring it Back Home
CD song ‘Slick Capers Blues’. This song
provided a chance for each band member to shine. Ford and Grisson took their turns then left the stage followed by
Bassist, Brian Allen and drummer,
Wes Little. Returning to finish ‘Capers’, the band took a breath, allowing Robben to switch to his sunburst Stratocaster for two songs from his ‘Renegade Creation’ Bullet release. ‘People Like Me’ and the soulful ‘Nazareth’ with Griss playing acoustic.
Wes Little. Returning to finish ‘Capers’, the band took a breath, allowing Robben to switch to his sunburst Stratocaster for two songs from his ‘Renegade Creation’ Bullet release. ‘People Like Me’ and the soulful ‘Nazareth’ with Griss playing acoustic.
The back half of the show included ‘Indianola’ from the
Soul on Ten CD, the 2013 Fool’s Paradise and a wonderful and rousing version of
‘Lovin Cup’, first performed on stage by Ford in 1998 as part of the ‘Robben
Ford and the Blueline Authorized Bootleg’ and seen on the 2005 ‘New Morning,
The Paris Concert’ DVD.
The crowd was not about to go without an encore!
Graciously, the band sent everyone home with ‘All Over Again’. Thanks to the band and staff at the Rhythm
Room, unofficial home of the Phoenix Blues Society and owned/operated by
harmonica pro, Bob Corritore. Strong recommendations to catch Robben Ford and
band when they return from France and play California and Colorado in late July
and August before heading to the East Coast in the Fall.
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