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Robin Trower
Ameristar Casino
Kansas City, MO
February 29, 2008
By Jeb Wright
Set List: Twice Removed From
Yesterday | Shame the Devil | For Earth Below |
No Time | Fool and Me | Roads to Freedom | Islands | Day of
the Eagle |
Bridge of Sighs | Rise Up Like the Sun | Victims of the Fury
| Gonna Be More
Suspicious | Hannah | Little Bit of Sympathy
Encore: Too Rolling Stoned | Go My Way | Another Time
Another Place
Ten of the seventeen songs performed
by Robin Trower came from his first
three albums. The show opened with the title track to Twice
Removed From
Yesterday. "Hannah" was also performed from Trower’s
debut album. Bridge of
Sighs saw the title track, "Day of the Eagle," "Too
Rolling Stoned," "Fool
and Me" and "Little Bit of Sympathy" all represented while
Trower’s third
album, For Earth Below, was featured with renditions
of the title track,
"Shame the Devil" and "Gonna Be More Suspicious." It wasn’t
just the
classics that Trower played, however. Robin brought out "No
Time" from
1987's Passion and "Islands" from 1983's Back It
Up proving that while his
popularity may have waned in the 80's, his songwriting and
guitar prowess
certainly did not.
Trower is trotting out much more of his earlier
catalog than he has
in ages. Robin’s guitar playing is simply amazing. Watching
him on stage one
realizes that they are witnessesing a master craftsmen at
work. Trower plays
with his rig up loud and most guitar players would have a
hard time coaxing
a note out of it without being overtaken by feedback yet
Robin tames the
beast with ease and mixes ear-splitting distorted, wah-wah
soaked lead
passages with surreal textures of hypnotic rhythms.
Trower and company seemed pleased at the sold out crowd at
the Ameristar
Casino. The audience were Trower addicts and gave the man
standing ovations throughout the night.
The best musical moment
of the evening came when Trower played "Day of the Eagle"
and "Bridge of Sighs" back-to-back, just
like he does on the album.
"Shame the Devil" and "For Earth Below" performed
back-to-back was a huge
surprise as was the title track to the hugely underrated
Victims of the
Fury. Singing for Robin on this tour is ex-Gamma
vocalist Davey Pattison who
naturally sings in the same register as the late Jimmy
Dewar. Pattison gives
his all and leads the band from center stage though he often
disappears into
the wings handing the stage over to Trower to work his
magic.
The three song encore began with "Too Rolling Stoned"
followed by the title
track to Robin’s 2000 CD Go My Way. The show ended
with "Another Time
Another Place." Throughout the evening one could see Trower
smiling between
songs and making his infamous guitar face during every solo.
At the end of the day, the Kansas City crowd stood on their
feet and cheered
for joy. Trower took a bow and waved goodnight. As he exited
the stage this
writer could not help but wonder if this would be Robin’s
last trip to
America. If so then at least he went out on the top of his
game. If not,
then I can’t wait for the next time he comes through the
area. Trower
remains committed to his music and is performing at level
that must be
witnessed to be believed. Simply put, Robin Trower live in
2008 is amazing.
Classic Rock Revisited urges all who read this review to
click over to
www.trowerpower.com
and check out the tour dates so you can experience one
of the greatest guitarists to ever grace the stage for
yourself.
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