Customer Reviews

Bridge of Sighs (Exp)

5 star:		(136)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Released in 1974 the ex-Procol Harum guitarst's solo career was definately heading in the right direction. With "Bridge Of Sighs" his second studio album Trower shows his fretboard abilities more than ever. His Hendrix inspired guitar solos are awe dropping as can be heard on such standout cuts as "Day Of The Eagle", "The Fool And Me", "Lady Love", "Too Rolling Stoned" and "Little Bit Of Sympathy". The eight added bonus tracks from The BBC Sessions which include "Bridge Of Sighs", "In This Place", "Alethea", "Little Bit Of Sympathy" sound very good and add almost thirty four minutes to this gem of a cd. Soundwise, it isn't that much of a drastic improvement from the older 1999 remaster (which also included bonus tracks) but it's miles ahead of the 1990 non-remastered version. If there's one Trower cd you buy, this should be it! A must have for any classic rock lover.

Robin Trower, both the man and the band, are two of the most underrated things in rock. Perhaps you have not even heard of him, and yet, if you are a fan of the blues-infected hard rock that was popular at the time of this record's release, or even simply a fan of great guitar playing, then this album belongs in your collection. There are several titanic tracks on this album, although every one of them is a winner. Day of the Eagle is a riveting hard rocker and a perfect album opener. The next song, the title track, is one of those rare songs that no matter how many times I hear it, I still love it. Other winners include In This Place and Little Bit of Sympathy. Too Rolling Stoned has a terrific guitar solo that is rarely ever mentioned as being one of the best. James Dewar is a good singer as well, and perfect for this type of music, not to mention being a great bass player. Reg Isidore on drums is more than competent.

As for the live bonus tracks, well, they are a nice addition but ultimately not essential. Why? Well, they are basically the songs from the album played live with little improvisitation, as you would expect from a concert for a radio show. Completely unlike Trower's 10-15+ minute improv jams that you can find on his real live albums. Not bad stuff, but I'd rather just hear the studio versions. The only jam here that exceeds the one on the actual album is Little Bit of Sympathy, as it has a somewhat extended guitar solo from Trower. Still, the album is well worth buying for what was there in the first place.

Many consider this to be Trowers finest hour. As for myself I might enjoy Trowers first, "Twice Removed from Yesterday's" spacey strecthed out Hendrix inspired "Bold as Love" peroid explorations a hair more, but "Bridge of Sighs" is Trowers most focused album. It is hard to argue with the sonic explosion that is "Day of the Eagle," that starts this album. Just killer heavy duty blues/rock guitar turned up to eleven, then followed by one of Trowers finest heavy riffed spacey songs, the title song "Bridge of Sighs." WOW! I remember hearing these two songs in tandem back in the 70's & I was hooked for good. Trower is truely a master of his instrument, his thick tone, shimmering sustain, sense of melody, & passion really come off as some of the heaviest most melodic guitar playing known to rock. Pigeoned holed as a Hendrix clone, Trower is much more than that. He is Hendrix's ace disciple easly rivaling his mentor's inspiration with this album, & maybe even surpassing it.
The passionate singing of bassist Rob Dewar is an overlooked treasure on many of Trowers albums. Here on "Lady Love" Trower & Dewar crescend in a seamless whole of sincere delicate axemenship & impassioned singing to make it a listeners delight. On "Too Rolling Stoned" Dewar shows us he is able to thump the bass to Trowers rollicking leads & riffs. Trower shows some of his funk on "The Fool & Me." Really there is not a clinker in this whole album, it's is a collection of flawless work from a master of his instrument. For lovers of killer Rock guitar!!!

***** Stars

Growing up I listened to Bridge of Sighs countless times and for good reason. It's a tremendous album with no filler. Robin Trower, a stellar guitar player, was obviously influenced by Hendrix and you hear it in his tone, solos and the heavenly blues/rock music. His band, at that time, Reg Isidore (drums), James Dewar (bass, vocals) held down a tight rhythm section, and James vocals (smooth, thick, beefy) are uniquely wonderful. Killer music has no expiration date, and this sounds as amazing today as it did when it was initially released in 1974.

The remastered version sounds good but not necessarily better than the original disc, just different. To me, it seems most remastered discs just boost the high frequencies and increase the volume, which is not always a good thing. The five live bonus tracks recorded in 1974 give you an idea of what this trio, that once played in stadiums, were capable of. Amazon lists these incorrectly; tracks 9 and 12 should be switched. It would have been nice for this "expanded edition" to include the lyrics and some photos but, overall, this is a classic rock disc and if you're a guitar player this is a must have.

It seems whenever someone mentions Robin Trower they can't get past the comparison to Hendrix. Sure the styles are very similar. Granted they share many musical traits. Why however can't people accept the fact that Robin Trower is technically every bit as good as Hendrix and plays with much more finese and control? Of course there is something to be said for Jimi's reckless style and his seemingly endless creativity. Trower is truly his own man however. In a day of Stevie Ray Vaughn clones everywhere you turn why is it such a surprise that someone could share the same style and enjoy a capacity to play the same type of music? I don't believe that Trower ever intended to cash in on Hedrix's chops but on his own well seasoned talents. Simply put he is an undeniably tremendous guitarist who has consistently maintained a exceedingly high level of craftsmanship into his fourth decade of recording. Many could learn from his talents but very few will ever do it nearly as well. Among other attributes that he shares with Hendrix there is one stage of the game where he clearly outshines. He has never allowed the excesses of sucess and fame get the better of him. He, unlike Jimi, is still with us. In addition to that he is still playing some of the best music of HIS or any style on the planet. Thank God for that. Oh and by the way,Bridge of Sighs offers some of his very best work. The live albums are excellant as well. Give him a try on his own terms not as a comparison to Hendrix.

This is Trower's greatest work and one of the most powerful records in rock history. I've played it over and over for thirty years and it sounds just as fresh as ever today. Moody, powerful, expertly-played rock supported by some of the greatest vocals (Jim Dewar, R.I.P) ever recorded. Just as intense in the slower moments (Bridge of Sighs, About to Begin) as in the sledgehammer guitar attacks (Day of the Eagle, Lady Love), Trower displays utter mastery and control over his effects-laden instrument while unleashing a stunning set of songs. The album's legendary status is cemented by the centerpiece "Too Rolling Stoned", the quintessential Trower tune: muscular rock, killer hooks and gritty vocals in the main section followed by the jaw-dropping epic guitar workout (over a driving one-note bass figure) that leaves this listener shaking and the audience whooping. The comparisons to Hendrix are common; this is probably because no guitar player other than Hendrix ever made a noise as big and expressive as what can be heard here. If you are a fan of hard rock with depth and power, Bridge of Sighs has to be a cornerstone of your collection and should resonate in your soul forever.

The newly released Bridge Of Sighs includes eight live tracks from the BBC Radio shows. These are versions of songs from the period and let you hear once again how great a singer Jimmy Dewar was. The playing is amazing and thanks to Tim at EMI for getting this released. For more on The Robin Trower Band go to [...]

I saw Robin Trower 33 years ago with Procol Harum. He is just a wonderful guitarist who has had to live with the ghost of Jimi Hendrix. Yes, he uses feedback, but unlike Hendrix, always with a purpose. Trower had a genius for putting together a great ensemble of singers and musicians for his albums and he does this best in Bridge of Sighs. This CD is worth the price, if only for the title track. Trower truly bridges rock and blues. Just listen to the opening track "Day of the Eagle." Since the so-called "Classic Rock" stations can't play enough Zeppelin, Skynrd, or Who you will almost never hear Trower on the radio. Bridge of Sighs belongs in every Rock CD collection.

Avoid this 1999 're-mastered' CD like the plague!

It sounds like it was taken from a 4th or 5th generation tape instead of the studio master. I traded this turkey in for the BGO import.

The sound is much better on the BGO two-fer with "Twice Removed From Yesterday". Much clearer with less tape-hiss and distortion. Still not ideal, but better than on this overpriced 'new' re-release.

Shame on Capitol for not doing better...

"Bridge Of Sighs" is a sweet slab of 70's blues rock that is still as captivating as it was in 1974. Robin Trower was a master guitar player that began his career with the progressive outfit named Procol Harum. Procol Harum did not give Robin Trower the freedom to express the blues roots that had grown within him and so he broke free. Robin Trower went on to form the ideal vehicle to express his art and eventually mastered his recipe on "Bridge Of Sighs." "Day Of The Eagle" is a sonic assault that kicks with a bruising fury that eventually fades into oblivion. "Bridge Of Sighs" finds Robin Trower creating visionary sheets of sound that transport you into a world filled with a somber uneasy solitude. "Too Rolling Stoned" begins as a caustic boogie which in turn becomes a swaggering blues jam where Robin Trower unleashes a smoking display of guitar virtuosity complemented with enthusiastic shouts and screams from the studio crowd. Howling winds evoke the beginnings of the meditative "In This Place" which features James Dewar's rich soulful vocals and concludes with some delicate yet penetrating guitar playing by Robin Trower. This is the definition of "cool" in blues rock. "Little Bit Of Sympathy" is a cooker in the style of Santana with enough fire to burn a house down. You have wailing guitar pyrotechnics,commanding vocals,and a brutal display of percussion. Marvelous! "Bridge Of Sighs" enslaved me with its spell the first time i heard it and the spell has not been broken. Go ahead and buy a little magic for yourself.