The name Robin Trower may not resonate with today’s young pop streamers, but throughout roughly the mid-1960s through the late 1970s, he went from one successful musical life to another.
From before the group’s debut album in 1967 and through their fifth album in 1971, Trower was the guitarist with Procol Harum. Along with the group’s 1973 album Grand Hotel (which Trower was not part of), the five albums he was on with Procol Harum constituted their peak as one of the most inventive pop/prog groups from England in that period.
If that wasn’t enough, after leaving the group, Trower embarked on a highly successful solo career, in a trio format, beginning with Twice Removed from Yesterday in 1973. His next album, Bridge of Sighs, was an FM staple, has achieved classic rock immortality, and was the first of four best-selling albums, with his next three albums also charting. Chrysalis released all of these albums.
Trower left behind the near-classical, pop/art-prog of Procol Harum and formed a blues-rock power trio, clearly rooted in both the heavier and dreamier sides of Jimi Hendrix’s music. In many respects, even though he was British, his music became a natural bridge between the music of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Beginning with the reissue of Twice Removed from Yesterday, issued in a 2-LP or 2-CD edition, Bridge of Sighs and For Earth Below have also been released in remastered, bespoke 2-LP vinyl editions and in an expansive CD/Blu-ray set and a 4-CD box set, respectively, that should not be missed. The latest 50th-anniversary reissue is Robert Trower Live!, originally released in 1976 after For Earth Below.
The album captures Trower and his band (vocalist/bassist James Dewar and drummer Bill Lordan) at their peak as a live act. Taken from a Swedish radio broadcast, it was originally released on a single album and contained only 10 of the show’s performances. The newly expanded version contains the full 12-song setlist.
As good as the original release was, the album’s truncated set list was disappointing. Also, Dewar’s lead vocals were overdubbed later in the studio. This wasn’t done because of the quality of his vocals, but because the radio mix captured Trower’s guitar in the hall where the concert was recorded, leaking into Dewar’s vocal mic and often overwhelming his vocals. Today’s modern remix technology has made it easy to balance out the three instruments. It allowed Dewar’s always-excellent vocals, a key part of the group’s sound, to shine clearly, with no studio overdubs.
This concert includes Trower classics such as “Bridge of Sighs,” “Too Rolling Stoned,” and the set opener “Day of the Eagle.” The sound on the two vinyl albums remastered at Air Studios is immaculate. Remastered reissues don’t always sound this naturally good, and once again, engineer Richard Whittaker has done an impeccable job on these recent Trower reissues.
The set comes in a vintage, textured gatefold package with a wraparound OBI strip. The albums are encased in custom sleeves with extensive liner notes, including an interview with Trower. This is the way albums from the 1970s are supposed to be reissued. A 2-CD set and a digital edition are also available.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
B+
