ROBIN TROWER CHATS ABOUT UPCOMING NEW ALBUM AND CONCERT DATES:EXCLUSIVE ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS WITH RAY SHASHO-BBS RADIO TV

 

LEGENDARY GUITARIST

R O B I N

T R O W E R

SPECIAL GUEST

ON

INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

with RAY SHASHO

BBS Radio TV

ROBIN TROWER

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

CLICK BELOW 

TO LISTEN IN ITS ENTIRETY

 

Robin Trower has been heralded as one of the most influential Guitar players to come out of the British Blues Rock scene. Though other names may come to mind, none have the "signature sound and style" of the man who was tagged by the press with the nickname of "The White Hendrix" back in the 70's. Robin was in the audience during a performance by Jimi Hendrix those many years back, and he readily admits that the Experience changed his approach to the guitar.

It is obvious to anyone who ever listened to Robin's music that he has taken the ethereal sound that Jimi first introduced to the world and created his own unique way of expressing himself through the guitar. The result is a unique style of music all his own - NOT an imitation of Jimi at all, and a career of considerable merit.

Robin is known for his incredible talent as a guitar player and his inspirational style of soloing, coaxing sounds from his Strat that seem to emanate from beyond this world. To be among those who have experienced Robin performing live is to be forever changed by this masterful Artist as he takes you along with him on one musical masterpiece after another.

Purchase

ROBIN

TROWER'S

latest album

'UNITED STATE OF MIND'

Featuring

Robin Trower

Maxi Priest

& Livingstone Brown

available now at amazon.com

For more info

about

R O B I N 

T R O W E R 

Visit

https://www.trowerpower.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RobinTrower

Steve's Place

Unofficial UK Tribute Site

Bridge Of Sighs

ROBIN TROWER 

STATION PROMO

ROBIN

 TROWER 

Discography

With Procol Harum

1967 Procol Harum

1968 Shine on Brightly (Trower sings backup on "Wish Me Well")

1969 A Salty Dog (Trower sings lead on "Crucifiction Lane")

1970 Home

1970 Ain't Nothin' to Get Excited About (a vintage rock'n'roll side-project by members of Procol Harum, recording as 'Liquorice John Death')

1971 Broken Barricades (Trower sings lead on "Song for a Dreamer" and "Poor Mohammed")

1991 The Prodigal Stranger

1995 The Long Goodbye 

With Robin Trower Band

Studio albums

1973    Twice Removed from Yesterday    –         

1974    Bridge of Sighs        

1975    For Earth Below

1976    Long Misty Days     

1977    In City Dreams

1978    Caravan to Midnight          

1980   Victims of the Fury 

1983   Back It Up     

1987    Passion

1988   Take What You Need

1990   In the Line of Fire   

1994    20th Century Blues

1997    Someday Blues        

2000  Go My Way

2003   Living Out of Time

2005   Another Days Blues

2009   What Lies Beneath

2010   The Playful Heart

2013   Roots and Branches

2014   Something's About To Change     

2016   Where You Are Going To  

2017    Time and Emotion

2019   Coming Closer to the Day  

2020   United State of Mind          

Live albums

1976: Robin Trower Live! (recorded 2/3/75, Stockholm)

1985: Beyond the Mist (recorded April 1985 at The Marquee Club, London)

1992: BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (recorded 1/29/75)

1996: King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Robin Trower in Concert (recorded 10/18/77, New Haven, CT)

1999: This Was Now '74–'98 (recorded 1974, Pittsburgh, PA; 1998, Seattle, WA) -2-CD set

2006: Living Out of Time: Live (recorded 9/3/05, Bonn, Germany) [note: also available on DVD]

2009: RT@RO.08 (recorded 3/29/08, Royal Oak, MI)

2011: Robin Trower at The BBC 1973–1975 (recorded 3/26/73 [John Peel Session], 9/26/73 [Bob Harris Session], 2/20/74 [Bob Harris Session], 3/5/74 [John Peel Session], 1/28/75 [John Peel Session], and 1/29/75 [BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert, omitting 2 songs but adding 2 others]) -2-CD set

2013: State To State: Live Across America 1974–1980 (recorded 1974, Philadelphia; 1974, California; 1976, Illinois; 1977, Oklahoma; 1980, Missouri) -2CD

2015: Rock Goes To College 1980 (recorded 2/25/80, London)

Compilations

1987: The Robin Trower Portfolio

1991: Essential Robin Trower

1991: Robin Trower: The Collection

1994: Robin Trower Anthology

2002: Speed Of Sound: The Best of Robin Trower

2004: Dreaming the Blues -2-CD set

2008: Day of The Eagle: The Best of Robin Trower

2010: A Tale Untold: The Chrysalis Years 1973–1976 -3-CD set

2012: Farther On Up The Road: The Chrysalis Years 1977–1983 -3-CD set

2014: Compendium 1987–2013 -2-CD set

2014: Original Album Series (contains Twice Removed from Yesterday, Bridge of Sighs, For Earth Below, Robin Trower Live!, Long Misty Days) -5-CD set

2015: Original Album Series, Vol. 2 (contains In City Dreams, Caravan to Midnight, Victims of the Fury, B.L.T., Truce) -5-CD set

2019: The Studio Albums 1973–1983 (contains all 10 studio albums presented in card-sleeves housed in a clamshell box) -10-CD set

 

With Jack Bruce

1981: B.L.T

1982: Truce

1989: No Stopping Anytime (compilation of B.L.T. and Truce)

2007: Seven Moons

2009: Seven Moons Live (recorded 2/28/09, Nijmegen, Holland) [note: also available on DVD] re-released as Songs from the Road

 

With Bryan Ferry

1993: Taxi

1994: Mamouna

2007: Dylanesque

MY NEW BOOK 

IS FINALLY OUT!

ENTITLED

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

SERIES ONE

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM 

FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE

 

…Order yours today on 

(Collector edition) Hardcover

 or E-book

 at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of

the greatest rock legends the world will ever know. 

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

 

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time. 

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   Gold Award Winner

Robin Trower Interview: A Masterpiece Turns 40 - Tour & ‘New CD’ Forthcoming

By Ray Shasho

-Interviewed on September 9th 2014

Guitar gallantry … innovative songwriting … soulful vocal styling’s … hard rock & blues tenacity … legendary artistry … these are just a few words that can describe the amazing musical genius of …ROBIN TROWER.   

This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest rock albums in music history. ‘Bridge of Sighs’ (1974) was only the second studio album released by the Robin Trower power-trio of Robin Trower (guitar and vocals), James Dewar (lead vocals and bass) and Reg Isidore on drums. It was this simplistic framework that musically overpowered many of their peers and lofted the band into superstardom. ‘Bridge of Sighs’ was recorded on the Chrysalis/Capitol label and reached #7 in the U.S. while staying on the charts for 31 weeks. That same year the album was certified gold.    

BRIDGE OF SIGHS: composed a mesmerizing and overwhelming sound mix of Psychedelic Rock, R&B & Funk melodies combined with lucid mind-numbing lyrical content. Most of the tracks were written by Robin Trower and James Dewar. The success of the album motivated many listeners to go back and retrieve Trower’s debut album ‘Twice Removed from Yesterday’ (1973) which also became a certified gold album. Both albums were produced by Matthew Fisher (Procol Harum) and also engineered by Geoff Emerick (The Beatles audio engineer).

From the very beginning, Robin Trower developed a very unique style of his own. Trower’s ingredients include a heavy dose of hypnotic rock with Progressive, Blues, Acid Rock and R&B overtones. The metaphysical lyrical content was delivered by the commanding voice of James Dewar. The mesmerizing musical qualities of Trower and Dewar instantly transported the listener’s mind musically into other worlds and dimensions. Vocalist/bassist/songwriter James Dewar (1942-2002) was a rare musical gem and extremely crucial to the success of ‘Bridge of Sighs’ as well as all his recordings with the band and their live performances.

The title of the album was believed to be inspired by a bridge located in Venice, Italy. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. In my recent interview with Robin, I learned that the name of the album and monumental track came from an entirely different source.

ROBIN TROWER TODAY: is back on the road again with a rather lengthy tour which kicks off on October 4th in St. Louis, Missouri. The Trower power-trio lands in St. Petersburg, Florida on November 12th at Jannus Live. For a full listing of Robin Trower concert dates click [HERE] or go to www.trowerpower.com for further information. To purchase tickets for the Jannus Live concert in St. Pete, Florida click [HERE] or visit http://jannuslive.com/ for more information.

The Robin Trower travelling power-trio is …Robin Trower (vocals, guitar), Richard Watts (bass and vocals), and Chris Taggart (drums). Trower’s most recent album entitled ‘Roots and Branches’ (2013) will be supported on the tour.

Robin Trower also has a brand new album coming out sometime at the beginning of 2015. The album will follow in the footsteps of ‘Root and Branches’ but all the tracks will be originals and written by Robin.

I had the great pleasure of chatting with Robin Trower recently about… The new album …The tour… ‘Bridge of Sighs’ turning 40 … James Brown … And much more!

Here’s my interview with legendary guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, with … The Paramounts/ Procol Harum/ Robin Trower / and collaborations with Jack Bruce …ROBIN TROWER

Ray Shasho: Hello Robin, good to hear from you again … beautiful weather here in Florida as always while we anticipate your arrival to Jannus Live in St. Petersburg for a live show on Wednesday, November 12th.

Robin Trower: “Hello Ray, we’re looking forward to coming back to St. Pete.”

Ray Shasho:  The tour kicks off October 4th in St. Louis Missouri, who are the musicians that will be touring with you?

Robin Trower: “Richard Watts on bass and vocals who has also performed on ‘Roots and Branches’ and Chris Taggart the same drummer on the album.”

Ray Shasho: How’s Davie Pattison these days … any chance of working with him again?

Robin Trower:  “I haven’t spoken with him for awhile but I think he’s doing okay. Because I’ve been doing more singing myself, I think I’m going more down that road. I’ve discovered that I enjoy singing what I’ve written and feel the vocals are more connected to the original idea when I do it. Of course when you’re writing you are singing it to yourself, so it’s a natural thing when you actually go in to record it and you’re singing it yourself, it sounds right to you. Obviously Davie is a great-great singer, but I think the material is a bit more personal and especially this new album where the lyrics are more personal to me.”

Ray Shasho: Let’s talk about the new CD, when can we expect it to be released?

Robin Trower: “I think just in the new year. All the songs will be originals and I must say it turned out really well; I’m also very pleased with the guitar on it. The album is rolling on from ‘Roots and Branches’ only having written the material myself instead of doing a few covers. I think what I’ve learned to do with the guitar when I did ‘Roots and Branches’ has fed into this new album and that’s the way I’d put it.”

Ray Shasho: Besides rock and roll & the blues, I know you’re a big fan of R&B/Funk/Soul music. In our last interview you stated that James Brown was one of your heroes … would you consider recording an entire R&B/Soul album some day?

Robin Trower:   “I think of myself as fundamentally rock and roll and obviously very rhythm and blues influence. Doing the stuff I do with electric guitar, I don’t think I could make that shift. I’m thinking music from the 60’s and 70’s with dance beats going on … either that or heavy soul ballads, and you need to be that kind of singer to start.”

Ray Shasho:  Your vocals on one of my favorite albums ‘Go My Way’ (2000) was strikingly soulful … especially tracks like “Into Dust,” I think you could definitely pull it off with amazing success.

Robin Trower:  “I feel very comfortable doing blues … blues influence and rock and roll, that’s really where I’m coming from. My favorite artist as you know is James Brown, Howlin’ Wolf, Son House, and the people like that had a great influence on my writing, so I’m very comfortable singing those kinds of tunes.”

Ray Shasho: I was very saddened to hear about the loss of your wife Andrea earlier this year.

Robin Trower:  “It’s very tough to lose the missus. I’ve been very fortunate to have something to work on. I had the material already and was able to get in the studio and get working, and now I’ve got the tour coming up so that will help to clear my head a little bit.”

Ray Shasho: Robin, I can’t believe it’s the fortieth anniversary of ‘Bridge of Sighs.’ It seems like yesterday when I bought the album right after its release in 1974.

Robin Trower: I know …I don’t want to even think about it. (All laughing)

Ray Shasho: The album’s title and legendary track “Bridge of Sighs” has been speculated for years to be named after a bridge in Venice Italy. Apparently the view from the ‘Bridge of Sighs’ was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. It’s also the name of a famous poem of 1844 by Thomas Hood concerning the suicide of a homeless young woman who threw herself from Waterloo Bridge in London. Was the title inspired by either of these circumstances? 

Robin Trower:  “I actually had the piece of music and the verse for several months and one day I opened the sports pages of the newspaper and there was a horse running that day called ‘Bridge of Sighs.’ I just thought, oh, what a great title, I wonder if I could make it work with the song that I’m working on … and it worked! When I saw the name of the horse called ‘Bridge of Sighs’ I immediately thought about the story of the bridge in Venice, so it is connected to that. The horse wouldn’t have been called that if it wasn’t for the bridge in Venice.”  

“When I was writing material for the new album coming out, I was reading an article about an author, and they mentioned a friend of his who is a lady author named Jean Rhys, and they mentioned the title of her famous book ‘Good Morning, Midnight’ and I thought, oh, I’ve got to have that, and I’ve written a song coming from that title. You stumble across these things and they spark something off in your mind.”

Ray Shasho:  In my opinion, track per track, the “Bridge of Sighs” album is among the Top- 10 albums in rock history.

Robin Trower:  “Thank you very much … well a lot of that is due to the fantastic singing of James Dewar. I always thought his vocals are what made it commercial, so it would be played on the radio. He had a beautiful voice and was very soulful.”

Ray Shasho: James Dewar was my favorite vocalist; he was mesmerizing and just incredible to listen to.

“Bridge of Sighs” has to be one of your favorites to perform in concert. 

Robin Trower: “No doubt about it! It has a real power to it and once you start it, it takes on a life of its own.”

Ray Shasho: There are also a lot of funkier rock riffs on the album like …“Day of the Eagle,” “The Fool and Me,”  “Lady Love,” and “Little Bit of Sympathy.”

Robin Trower:  ““The Fool and Me” was definitely inspired by James Brown. “Too Rolling Stoned” I think is also James Brown influenced, in fact there are some changes on that when it goes to the turnaround, I actually lifted those changes from a James Brown song called “Down And Out In New York City.” If there was anyone you could call genius it was James Brown, he just had the most incredible voice and it would tear the heart right out of you… just wonderful! He and Dinah Washington are my favorite singers. I was fortunate to see James Brown perform at his peak; he came over to London in 1965.”

Ray Shasho: I chatted with Randy Bachman (BTO) recently and he told me that he’s always heard music in his head. He was quite surprised that so many people didn’t share the same experience that he had since he was a young boy. Do you agree that musicians have that special gift?

Robin Trower:  “You are born with a gift and I do believe that. Here’s my take on it, I think anybody and everybody can learn to play music up to their efficiency, but to be a creative person, that’s the gift you have to have to take it somewhere.”

Ray Shasho:  Robin thank you so much for being on the call today … we’re all looking forward to the brand new CD sometime at the beginning of 2015, and the tour which kicks off October 4th in St. Louis, Missouri. I’ll be there in St. Pete, Florida to review the show.

Robin Trower: “Hopefully you can stop by and we’ll have a chat, thanks Ray

… cheers for now!

Purchase Robin Trower’s latest CD ‘Roots and Branches’ on amazon.com and watch for his brand new release in the beginning of 2015.

‘Roots and Branches ‘Track listings: 1) Hound Dog 2) The Thrill is Gone 3)When I Heard Your Name 4) Little Red Rooster 5) I Believe To My Soul 6) Shape Of Things to Come 7) That’s Alright Mama 8) Save Your Love 9) Born Under a Bad Sign 10) Sheltered Moon 11) See My Life 

Robin Trower official website

Robin Trower upcoming tour dates

Robin Trower on Facebook

Robin Trower on Twitter

Robin Trower on Myspace

Very special thanks to the legendary ‘Derek Sutton’ and David Maida

COMING UP NEXT … Country music’s shining new star -19 year old Mary Sarah… 

Don Wilson guitarist, pioneer, and co-founder of ‘The Ventures’… Folk/Rock singer & songwriter Jonathan Edwards (“Sunshine”)

Contact music journalist Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com

Purchase Ray’s very special memoir called ‘Check the Gs’ -The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business … You’ll LIVE IT! Also available for download on NOOK or KINDLE edition for JUST .99 CENTS at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com   - Please support Ray by purchasing his book so he can continue to bring you quality classic rock music reporting.

“Check the Gs is just a really cool story ... and it’s real. I’d like to see the kid on the front cover telling his story in a motion picture, TV sitcom or animated series. The characters in the story definitely jump out of the book and come to life. Very funny and scary moments throughout the story and I just love the way Ray timeline’s historical events during his lifetime. Ray’s love of rock music was evident throughout the book and it generates extra enthusiasm when I read his on-line classic rock music column. It’s a wonderful read for everyone!”  …stillerb47@gmail.com   

COMING SOON… Ray’s exciting new project

                  ‘SAVING ROCK AND ROLL’

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