Still setting the tone.
Robin Trower – Oran Mor, Glasgow 15th May 2025
Robin Trower – Oran Mor, Glasgow 15th May 2025
It was both a pleasure and a privilege to see the return of Robin Trower to the UK stages, in tandem with a brand new album released the day after Trower and his bandmates – lead vocalist/ bassist Richard Watts and drummer Chris Taggart – played to a sold-out Oran Mor in Glasgow.
Following the moody, scene setting intro tape the now 80 year old Godfather of Tone walked on stage to raucous and revered applause from the Oran Mor audience.
Robin Trower then immediately underlined why he has earned that tonal accolade by, title fittingly, delivering a razor sharp, fully Strat-ified intro that set up the moody, R&B noir of opening number 'Razor’s Edge' from one of Trower's best 21st century albums, 2022’s No More World’s To Conquer (a quartet of songs from No More World’s... would feature across the ensuing fourteen songs and eighty minutes).
'Razor’s Edge' and Trower’s fluid but feisty solo were loudly appreciated, but the crowd volume came close to out decibel-ing the PA as the driving rhythm and funky, thick-toned riff of 'Too Rolling Stoned' announced itself.
As has been the case at every gig since 'Too Rolling Stoned' made its indelible mark on the classic Trower canon half a century ago, the instrumental slow-blues second half was extended to let Robin Trower do what Robin Trower does best – hit a tonal groove for a masterclass of brooding, full-bodied guitar licks, backed by the lockdown tight rhythm section of Messrs Watts & Taggart.
Following the moody, scene setting intro tape the now 80 year old Godfather of Tone walked on stage to raucous and revered applause from the Oran Mor audience.
Robin Trower then immediately underlined why he has earned that tonal accolade by, title fittingly, delivering a razor sharp, fully Strat-ified intro that set up the moody, R&B noir of opening number 'Razor’s Edge' from one of Trower's best 21st century albums, 2022’s No More World’s To Conquer (a quartet of songs from No More World’s... would feature across the ensuing fourteen songs and eighty minutes).
'Razor’s Edge' and Trower’s fluid but feisty solo were loudly appreciated, but the crowd volume came close to out decibel-ing the PA as the driving rhythm and funky, thick-toned riff of 'Too Rolling Stoned' announced itself.
As has been the case at every gig since 'Too Rolling Stoned' made its indelible mark on the classic Trower canon half a century ago, the instrumental slow-blues second half was extended to let Robin Trower do what Robin Trower does best – hit a tonal groove for a masterclass of brooding, full-bodied guitar licks, backed by the lockdown tight rhythm section of Messrs Watts & Taggart.
Equally impressive was the slow and soulful 'Wither on the Vine,' which showcased the husky-toned vocality of Richard Watts (while the perfect foil for Robin Trower’s Signature Stratocaster sound, Watt’s vocal was just a little too low in the mix when Trower was in full six-string flow, as was noticeably the case on the groove-driven, bass pulsing blues of 'Somebody Calling.'
Richard Watts then shone strongly, with a slightly earthier vocal, on the psychedelic blues of 'Distant Places of the Heart,' from the Robin Trower-Jack Bruce album Seven Moons.
Following the slow and moody R&B of new song 'One Go Round' (the only cut from brand new studio album Come And Find Me, somewhat surprisingly) and sparser slow blues of 'It’s Too Late' (a showcase for Trower’s tasteful remarks, including some delightful phrasing that played in sympathy to Richard Watt’s vocal) the set hit its one-two punch highpoint...
Richard Watts then shone strongly, with a slightly earthier vocal, on the psychedelic blues of 'Distant Places of the Heart,' from the Robin Trower-Jack Bruce album Seven Moons.
Following the slow and moody R&B of new song 'One Go Round' (the only cut from brand new studio album Come And Find Me, somewhat surprisingly) and sparser slow blues of 'It’s Too Late' (a showcase for Trower’s tasteful remarks, including some delightful phrasing that played in sympathy to Richard Watt’s vocal) the set hit its one-two punch highpoint...
A powerful rendition of the funky-tinged, rhythm driven 'Day Of The Eagle' (complete with downtempo, deep blues finale) segued straight into Robin Trower’s most famous and celebrated number, 'Bridge Of Sighs.'
The title track of Trower’s classic 1974 album, the woozy and atmospheric fusion-prog blues stands strong as a Trower tour-de-force, one that’s as resonating and impacting now as it was when first heard fifty years ago.
Richard Watts may not have the deep and rich timbre of the late and great James Dewar (very few do), but he was in fine vocal form here; equally impressive was Chris Taggart with his hypnotic drum and rhythm parts, including cymbal bell (something used to fine effect on several of the songs).
But there is no doubt who was the Bridge sighing star, with a performance that proved Robin Trower still has the chops, the phrasing, the touch, and, yes, that tone. Worth the admission fee on its own, as they say.
Downtempo blues ballad 'No More World’s to Conquer,' showcasing Richard Watt’s soulful vocality, was another highlight, as was the Trower classic 'Daydream,' where bluesy, melodic lead lines meet sonic dreamscapes and exquisite phrasing.
Closing the set with the hard driving blues of 'Little Bit Of Sympathy' guaranteed an audience reaction as loud and vociferous as Robin Trower received on his entrance over an hour earlier, while the two song return to stage – the funky rhythm and blues of 'Rise Up Like The Sun' (a rare but welcome dip into Trower’s 90s catalogue) and the ballad 'Birdsong' – guaranteed the crowd went home encore-happy.
Eighty minutes might seem like a short set but it was most certainly not a case of being short-changed.
Live, Robin Trower lives, breathes and feels every note and, as previously mentioned, is now 80 years old; it should also be noted that he is only recently back to live performance after undisclosed health issues that required attention.
And, frankly, eighty minutes of Robin Trower outweighs two hours of many other guitarists who may also have the chops, but don’t have the same sort of sonic resonance or identity, the consistency, or the legacy.
Long may that legacy continue.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photo credits: Nelson McFarlane
Order/ stream new album Come And Find Me here: https://lnk.to/RobinTrower
Robin Trower UK Tour - Remaining Dates
Tuesday 20th May - Frome, Cheese & Grain
Wednesday 21st May - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
The title track of Trower’s classic 1974 album, the woozy and atmospheric fusion-prog blues stands strong as a Trower tour-de-force, one that’s as resonating and impacting now as it was when first heard fifty years ago.
Richard Watts may not have the deep and rich timbre of the late and great James Dewar (very few do), but he was in fine vocal form here; equally impressive was Chris Taggart with his hypnotic drum and rhythm parts, including cymbal bell (something used to fine effect on several of the songs).
But there is no doubt who was the Bridge sighing star, with a performance that proved Robin Trower still has the chops, the phrasing, the touch, and, yes, that tone. Worth the admission fee on its own, as they say.
Downtempo blues ballad 'No More World’s to Conquer,' showcasing Richard Watt’s soulful vocality, was another highlight, as was the Trower classic 'Daydream,' where bluesy, melodic lead lines meet sonic dreamscapes and exquisite phrasing.
Closing the set with the hard driving blues of 'Little Bit Of Sympathy' guaranteed an audience reaction as loud and vociferous as Robin Trower received on his entrance over an hour earlier, while the two song return to stage – the funky rhythm and blues of 'Rise Up Like The Sun' (a rare but welcome dip into Trower’s 90s catalogue) and the ballad 'Birdsong' – guaranteed the crowd went home encore-happy.
Eighty minutes might seem like a short set but it was most certainly not a case of being short-changed.
Live, Robin Trower lives, breathes and feels every note and, as previously mentioned, is now 80 years old; it should also be noted that he is only recently back to live performance after undisclosed health issues that required attention.
And, frankly, eighty minutes of Robin Trower outweighs two hours of many other guitarists who may also have the chops, but don’t have the same sort of sonic resonance or identity, the consistency, or the legacy.
Long may that legacy continue.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photo credits: Nelson McFarlane
Order/ stream new album Come And Find Me here: https://lnk.to/RobinTrower
Robin Trower UK Tour - Remaining Dates
Tuesday 20th May - Frome, Cheese & Grain
Wednesday 21st May - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London