Customer Reviews

Authorized Bootleg

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Robben Ford, one of the best of the studio guitarists of his generation, shows that he has also mastered being a band leader and playing live. This set, taken from an acoustic set at the Bay Area jazz club Yoshi's, was originally recorded for broadcast by the San Francisco FM station KFOG, so it has nice sound. Don't be intimidated by the "authorized bootleg" subtitle, this is a professional recording of a 1995 date.

Stylistically, this is a relaxed and tasteful ensemble album. Perhaps not as blues based as some of his excellent electric albums, like "Talk To Your Daughter", or my favorite of Robben's recordings, "Supernatural", but still in the same vein. He has a suprisingly soulful singing voice for a guitarist's guitarist, but it is his wonderful phrasing and guitar parts that really shine for me.

Similar albums that I really enjoy are Nils Lofgren's "Acoustic Live", and the british instrumentalist Antonio Forcione's "Live" CD on the Naim label. If you get a chance, go and see Robben play live, he is one of the great unsung masters of the guitar.

This is an overlooked masterpiece! Classy, understated in places, ferocious in others,"Authorized Bootleg" has it all. Ford's vocals are in fine form, but we're really here to hear the guitar, right? The rest of the band cooks as well, and the superb quality of the recording is delightful considering this is acoustic. All I can say is it is one of my all-time favorites.

The rapport between Robben, Tom, Bill and Roscoe is very evident on this hot, and way too short set. Tom Brechtlein and Roscoe Beck deserve big, big kudos for their outstanding support of Robben. My favorites are Lovin' Cup (ultra funky guitar figure), Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin', and Start it Up. Absolutely some of the best blues playing you'll ever hear.

A must for any Robben Ford fan: this set is great all the way thru. Only downside is that it ends too soon. Some of the best accoustic blues guitar to come around in a long time.

I WAS SUPRISED TO FIND THAT IT WAS AN "UNPUGGED" LIVE RECORDING. VERY DIFFERENT SIDE TO THE BLUE LINE , AND TO ROBBEN. SOUNDS GREAT, AND THIS VERSION OF THE BAND IS ALSO HOT! GREAT TO LISTEN TO. BUT ALSO GOOD JUST TO HAVE ON.

I personally enjoyed many of the songs on this CD. Especially 'Cheverolet' and 'Tired of Talkin'. If you like this you should try an earlier CD entitled: "Firecracker."

Robben ford was very well known for his terrific electric guitat playing but in this album he has proved to everone that he is equally good at the accoustic guita.all the songs are good and and is highly recommended.

Give me more, give me more. Clean and funky.