21/05/25
Robin strummed into the Shepherds Bush hood to deliver his inimitable Trower power to his hardcore fanbase who faithfully flocked to this venue by its ancient green. A crystal clear sound mix enabled this power trio to dynamically showcase a set list of old favourites and contemporary compositions. If Hendrix and Cream combined in a game of fantasy musical combinations then it would sound something like Trower tonight. However, it would be misleading the public to the prowess of this legendary guitarist’s outstanding oeuvre that possesses its own singular sonic landscape. He might be four score in years yet his recent productivity belies this and, far from being a relic from another time, his musical longevity has again proven to be timeless on tonight’s evidence.
Easing into a set of older and newer favourites, The Razor’s Edge, from his recent No Worlds To Conquer album, sharpened up the senses as Robin further powered up his signature red strat to blast out Too Rolling Stoned which, along with Day Of The Eagle, reminded of his bona fide stoner blues rock credentials. Lifted from his new album, Come Find Me, One Go Round justified its place with the vintage tracks of which an epic Bridge Of Sighs never fails to steal the show. The choppy rifferama of A Little Bit Of Sympathy closed out a satisfyingly succinct main show with encores of Rise Up Like The Sun and Birdsong deftly bringing the curtain down.
With a nimble rhythmic bedrock of musicianship from Chris Taggart on drums and Richard Watts on bass and resonant vocals, it’s reassuring to see and hear Robin Trower in such good nick following his recent health concerns.
A final shout out for support act Dom Martin who opened this evening’s merry entertainment with a passionate blues solo set.
Paul Davies
