Customer Reviews

B.L.T./Truce

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

BLT is probably my favorite Trower album. The songs have a very commercial feel to them, but have enough "hooks" to grab you. The final track of the album, "End Game", has some of the lowest and richest bass playing I've ever heard. I never listened to Truce until I got this double-CD so it doesn't have the same history with me. However, try as I might, I just can't seem to get the "hook" with this one. It is ok, but sounds a bit uninspired and lacks the raw energy I associate with BLT. In either case, this disk is worth getting simply for the great BLT album and if you like Truce even a little bit, it is gravy.

It was a good experiment; get Cream's vocal and bass powerhouse teamed up with one of the most sonic guitarists since some guy named Hendrix and sparks, well, sparks mostly fly. Except when they don't, which is the case with the second Trower/Bruce team-up, TRUCE. That one sorta lays down and rolls over. But the first album, BLT, is a smoker! From the opening riff of "Into Money," through the power blues of "No Island Lost" and the balladry of "Won't Let You Down" and "Carmen," heck, throughout the entire ten tracks, B(ruce) L(ordan) and T(rower) restore the good name to "power trio." Dunno what happened the second time out, but, to be fair, TRUCE is a relatively pleasant if sleepy album. If you can find BLT by its' lonesome on CD without taking out a second mortgage, snap it up! Otherwise, this is still a good purchase to make. I might even grow to like TRUCE as much as BLT with a few more spins.

THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST DEFINITIVE WORKS IN TROWER'S COLLECTION ALL BE IT PRACTICALLY UNKNOWN TO MOST. TRACK ONE INTO MONEY SAYS IT ALL. EACH TRACK IS A TRIP INTO JACK BRUCE'S AND ROBIN TROWER'S MULTI-TALENTED MINDS. THE END GAME FEATURES SOME OF HOTTEST BASS CUTS EVER RECORDED ON THE PLANET. THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY COLLECTOR OF ROBIN TROWER.

This is a biased review because I love this artist and I knew the music well before choosing the purchase. It is great!

If your a R. Trower fan and you don't have this one, your not a fan! Jack Bruce,Bill Lordin,Robin Trower. This is simply his best, and Re-mastered too.

The chemistry between the extraodinary electric blues-rock guitarist, Robin Trower and the remarkable clear tenor bluesy vocal of the legendary Jack Bruce combines fantastically on the first "album" on this digitally remastered "2-fer" CD as "BLT" is a classic, 5-star, 10-song collaboration. Drummer Bill Lordan (The "L" in "BLT") compliments both Trower and Bruce wonderfully as this trio provides an inspired, listener accessible, cohesive mix of rolling power-blues rockers and slower tempo, absolutely flowing catchy blues ballads as Bruce's flawless vocals and Trower's energetic licks are right on target throughout. "BLT" standouts although every track is enjoyable are my personal favorites "Life On Earth", "Into Money", Once The Bird Has Flown", "Carmen" and "End Game".

"Truce", the second "album" of this CD is on the other hand a disappointment in comparison. It is an uninspired overall effort and lacks consistent staying power. To sum it up, this is a 2-star effort (a 3-star for devoted Bruce and Trower fans who still can get a feel for the music and musicianship - it's not all so bad).

Overall, the good news is that the sound is super with the digital remastering throughout both albums and since it is a "2-fer" it is a nice bargain to have. Besides, I have yet to see "BLT" on CD by itself here readily in the USA to date. Do yourself a favor and grab this.

Overall rating: "BLT">5 stars "Truce"> 2-3 stars
>Round off to 4 stars overall................................

Hi there:

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I am asked often to review and talk about rock and roll recordings from the 60's and 70's.

The idea of a double package (Giving the fan both "BLT" & "Truce") is a great marketing tool. Almost everyone that owns the 2 albums enjoy "BLT" more, thus you can look at "Truce" being included as a bonus.

There is a lot of positive musical events that went on during the idea of Robin Trower teaming with one time Cream bass-player Jack Bruce. You not only have two musicians that can improvise on any tune but be tasty on the three minute rockers as well. Joined by drummer Bill Lordan (Played on many Trower recordings) the trio works well and can push each other. Something that has often times been forgotten is Robin Trower employed the services of the former lyricist he worked with in Procol Harum (Keith Reid). The foundation was set on both the music side and the lyrical content.

The song that got the airplay from "BLT" is "Into Money." It happens to be the first track and puts you in the proper frame of mind in helping to digest the rest.

When "BLT" is finished (Last song has the fitting title "End Game") do not let any previous reviews of "Truce" turn you off to the recording before it starts.

Be prepared to listen to "Truce" two or three times before you can sink your teeth into the material. It is a win win situation. If you like even one tune on the album you are that much more ahead of the game. If you only think "BLT" gives you the flavor you crave, you didn't go out of your way to get "Truce" anyway. There is a good chance you will find it better than you were told it would sound.

These guys rock and you can be along for the ride.

Always be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

I bought these cassettes back when they first came out and wore them out. So I had to get them again on CD. Trower is one of the greatest guitarists of our time and definately one of the MOST underated. Unknown to most simply just because of his love of the music and not one to sell out to the commercial spam the music industry deals out. Get it! and make some memories like I have of these two recordings. You won't be disappointed.

I loved "B.L.T." when it came out on vinyl in 1981. Hearing it on CD in 2008 is quite pleasant as well. The record has aged well. Trower is, well Trower at his best...His tone is more straight than on most of his solo records, and l happen to enjoy this change. Trower's recent releases have this more organic guitar sound as well...it's still unmistakably Robin. The record is cool because the music is just slightly different from any Jack Bruce or Robin Trower record.
There really is a unique chemistry between the players. Bill Lordan is an awesome drummer and his contribution should not be overlooked. Jack Bruce is great as always...his bass playing is gorgeous and he is in good voice. I think "B.L.T." is definitely the better of the two records, both in vibe and sound. The songs are also more fully realized.

As I said, "Truce" does not hold up as well as "B.L.T.". While I like the material enough, the main victim of bad 80's production is the unfortunate drum sounds. However, what I like is the R&B vibe and Trower and Bruce both play this style very well without losing their footing. Trower uses more effects on this record, which may be some indication that he felt less confident about the quality of the material. Jack Bruce sings really well on this collection and his bass playing is stunning as ever. While not a great record, it still a nice collection from these two legendary artists.

FYI- For those who haven't heard their 2007 release, "Seven Moons", it is not only the best collaboration between Trower and Bruce but one of the finest records of either man's career.

Robin Trower's Bridge Of Sighs is one of my favorite 1970s albums and I've enjoyed Jack Bruce's work with Cream since I first heard it in the late 1960s. So when I saw this 1980s collaboration between Trower and Bruce I expected great things. I was somewhat disappointed when I played it. This album is OK but I really expected better things from a Robin Trower/Jack Bruce collaboration.

Having said that, check out Jack Bruce and Robin Trower's Seven Moons Live. Now that's a great Bruce & Trower album. I give 5 enthusiastic stars for Seven Moons Live. But only 3 stars for this one.