Robben Ford ‘Into the Sun’ Tour Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ USA 06/13/2015 - Ellisjames - Guest Writer

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.

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.

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Listen. - Melissa Collins - New Release Review - Ellis James: Guest writer

Collins’ EP “Listen” provides five song showcase for a healthy voice capable of supporting more developed lyrical content than the sketches found here. A consistently positive message is delivered in each song. Earthy and powerful, Collins sings with what I call ‘Church’ influence (y’all). I mean, if she’ never been inside of a church she most definitely have been in the neighborhood enough to get a dose of Soul. I include her in a cadre of performers who have something encouraging and good to say without use of cliché’s or required words or holy names. The Hard Way contains vocals with soulful flavorings that are ready to drop into Sheryl Crow’s ‘100 Mile From Memphis’ mixed with a touch of this current generation of “R&B”. No credits were provided to identify the guitar player. The pleasant and well played simple riffs were hinting at a Tony Joe White. ‘Don’t Give Up’ makes use of stripped-down lyrics of the title but the passion and delivery of both the vocals and instrumental carries it through. ‘What Would You Do?’ and ‘All Along’ tell of experiences and obvious life lessons gratefully containing a more rocking in the first and bringing on the Blues in the later. ‘Keep the Dream Alive’ is evidence of that soulful style backed up initially with symphonic strings giving way for that R&B touch with vocal processing and repetition of the key message. Initially I was not so sure of this set and wanted to judge it as simple but found that it contained more gems, subtleties and complexities with repeated exposure. My desire is to see this artist blessed with a larger budget, a wider pool of songwriters and stellar production in a full 10-12 song CD. My ears look forward to even greater things from this bright and rising star. Good stuff!

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!