Robin Trower – Bridge Of Sighs : 50th Anniversary Edition (4 Disc Media-Book version)
Bridge Of Sighs, by the Godfather of Tone and Strat-meister Robin Trower, requires little, if any, introduction.
Suffice to say the album, Trower’s second solo offering following 1973 debut Twice Removed From Yesterday, is not just the renowned guitarist’s tour-de-force but one of the finest rock albums of the 1970s.
It’s also an album that stands as tall today as it did five decades ago, meaning it's no surprise that a deluxe 50th Anniversary Edition has been released, featuring a new remaster of the original album along with a plethora of Bridge related gems (most of which are previously unreleased).
The 4 Disc version, reviewed here, is housed within a 24 page media-book that includes an introduction from Robin Trower fan and friend, the equally guitar-gifted Robert Fripp.
The 50th Anniversary release acts a collector's edition reminder of just how extraordinarily good Bridge Of Sighs is and, equally, how extraordinarily good the original Robin Trower band – Trower, long-time vocalist/ bassist James "Jimmy" Dewar (a singer who could give Paul Rodgers a run for his soulfully voiced money) and drummer Reg Isidore – were (sadly Dewar (2002) and Isidore (2009) both passed away at only 59 years of age).
Audio wise, the 2024 Remaster carries what is best described as a sonic sharpness, or crispness; everything sounds not so much louder as a little brighter in the high-end, while James Dewar’s bass and lower end of the audio spectrum have a richer depth. It’s unquestionably the best the album has sounded.
But the proof is, of course, not so much in the audio icing as the musical pudding, and the album’s eight tracks are no less impacting now than they were in 1974.
Suffice to say the album, Trower’s second solo offering following 1973 debut Twice Removed From Yesterday, is not just the renowned guitarist’s tour-de-force but one of the finest rock albums of the 1970s.
It’s also an album that stands as tall today as it did five decades ago, meaning it's no surprise that a deluxe 50th Anniversary Edition has been released, featuring a new remaster of the original album along with a plethora of Bridge related gems (most of which are previously unreleased).
The 4 Disc version, reviewed here, is housed within a 24 page media-book that includes an introduction from Robin Trower fan and friend, the equally guitar-gifted Robert Fripp.
The 50th Anniversary release acts a collector's edition reminder of just how extraordinarily good Bridge Of Sighs is and, equally, how extraordinarily good the original Robin Trower band – Trower, long-time vocalist/ bassist James "Jimmy" Dewar (a singer who could give Paul Rodgers a run for his soulfully voiced money) and drummer Reg Isidore – were (sadly Dewar (2002) and Isidore (2009) both passed away at only 59 years of age).
Audio wise, the 2024 Remaster carries what is best described as a sonic sharpness, or crispness; everything sounds not so much louder as a little brighter in the high-end, while James Dewar’s bass and lower end of the audio spectrum have a richer depth. It’s unquestionably the best the album has sounded.
But the proof is, of course, not so much in the audio icing as the musical pudding, and the album’s eight tracks are no less impacting now than they were in 1974.
The rapid fire drum and guitar lines of up-tempo opener 'Day of The Eagle' are as feisty as the song is formidable, complemented by a more sedate blues outro.
'In This Place' plays reflective, soul-fusion counterpoint to the Eagle that flew two tracks before it while the funky 'The Fool And Me' offers unshakeable rhythmic groove from Messrs Dewar & Isidore, topped off by some wicked Trower licks.
Groove is also to the fore on the first half of rhythm and funky blues Trower classic 'Too Rolling Stoned' before it shifts to a slow burning, bass pumping second half, with Trower bluesin’ it out (a sign of 21st century Trower things to come).
Downtempo waltz-time number 'About To Begin' features one of James Dewar’s best vocals (and a delicately phrased solo from Trower) while the mid-tempo (and deceptively intricate) 'Lady Love' offers uplifting musical and lyrical contrast.
Pacey, bass bubbling album closer 'Little Bit Of Sympathy,' with its funky, mid-song breakdown, became an instant fan favourite (and perennial live set number).
And then there's the title track, arguably the finest song Robin Trower has ever written, recorded and performed.
Described by Trower as "a deep lament," the number is anchored by a brooding rhythm, minor 7th chords and a dark, melancholic lyric ("The sun don't shine, the moon don't move the tides, to wash me clean").
Trower’s guitar play, which swirls in, out and around the song, is as haunting as it is atmospheric (the employed Univibe pedal gives the guitar its spacey, Leslie speaker effect, something that would become a Trower trademark).
Kudos here to producer Matthew Fisher and the late and highly respected sound engineer Geoff Emerick, who are are as much a part of the 'Bridge Of Sighs' sound as the band.
Disc Two features a must-have for the Trower aficianado, a new, longer, 2024 Stereo Mix by Richard Whittaker.
Taken from the original, unedited multi-tracks (the original album featured edits of each number), this new mix reinstates the full-length recordings.
The second disc also includes a collection of outtakes, rarities & radio spots, all of which are previously unreleased.
Disc Three features, for the first time, the complete 1974 performance from The Record Plant in Sausalito (then new song 'Alethea' and the four Twice Removed From Yesterday songs are now reinstated alongside the previously available Bridge Of Sighs quintet).
Disc Four (Blu-ray Audio) features the 2024 Remaster, the outtakes & rarities material and the new unedited songs mix in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround and 24bit Stereo.
Robin Trower has been a long time crossing the bridge of sighs; but it’s been well worth the fifty years of timeless travel.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
'In This Place' plays reflective, soul-fusion counterpoint to the Eagle that flew two tracks before it while the funky 'The Fool And Me' offers unshakeable rhythmic groove from Messrs Dewar & Isidore, topped off by some wicked Trower licks.
Groove is also to the fore on the first half of rhythm and funky blues Trower classic 'Too Rolling Stoned' before it shifts to a slow burning, bass pumping second half, with Trower bluesin’ it out (a sign of 21st century Trower things to come).
Downtempo waltz-time number 'About To Begin' features one of James Dewar’s best vocals (and a delicately phrased solo from Trower) while the mid-tempo (and deceptively intricate) 'Lady Love' offers uplifting musical and lyrical contrast.
Pacey, bass bubbling album closer 'Little Bit Of Sympathy,' with its funky, mid-song breakdown, became an instant fan favourite (and perennial live set number).
And then there's the title track, arguably the finest song Robin Trower has ever written, recorded and performed.
Described by Trower as "a deep lament," the number is anchored by a brooding rhythm, minor 7th chords and a dark, melancholic lyric ("The sun don't shine, the moon don't move the tides, to wash me clean").
Trower’s guitar play, which swirls in, out and around the song, is as haunting as it is atmospheric (the employed Univibe pedal gives the guitar its spacey, Leslie speaker effect, something that would become a Trower trademark).
Kudos here to producer Matthew Fisher and the late and highly respected sound engineer Geoff Emerick, who are are as much a part of the 'Bridge Of Sighs' sound as the band.
Disc Two features a must-have for the Trower aficianado, a new, longer, 2024 Stereo Mix by Richard Whittaker.
Taken from the original, unedited multi-tracks (the original album featured edits of each number), this new mix reinstates the full-length recordings.
The second disc also includes a collection of outtakes, rarities & radio spots, all of which are previously unreleased.
Disc Three features, for the first time, the complete 1974 performance from The Record Plant in Sausalito (then new song 'Alethea' and the four Twice Removed From Yesterday songs are now reinstated alongside the previously available Bridge Of Sighs quintet).
Disc Four (Blu-ray Audio) features the 2024 Remaster, the outtakes & rarities material and the new unedited songs mix in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround and 24bit Stereo.
Robin Trower has been a long time crossing the bridge of sighs; but it’s been well worth the fifty years of timeless travel.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ