Day of the Eagle: The Best of Robin Trower

Robin Trower | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 8, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol Records
• ASIN: B00169MQ9W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,309 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2008 compilation of digitally remastered cuts from the English guitarist and Rock legend, often compared to Jimi Hendrix due to his bluesy Psychedelic style. He was originally a member of Procol Harum but soon left to pursue a solo career. Throughout the '70s, Trower was a staple on FM radio alongside many other great Classic Rock artists. Since his heyday, his output has not been as prolific, although he is still respected and revered by fans of Classic Rock and guitar heroes. 17 tracks including 'Caledonia', 'Bridge Of Sighs', 'Man Of The World', 'Day Of The Eagle' and many more. EMI.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Despite a few missteps, this 'EAGLE' soars!, July 10, 2008

By 

5:15 AM - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Day of the Eagle: The Best of Robin Trower (Audio CD)

Robin Trower, as great as he is, probably does not get the recognition he deserves as a guitarist and songwriter. The original guitarist for Procol Harem set out on his own in 1971 to pursue a different direction. Often criticized for his overt Hendrix influence, Trower, not necessarily shaking the comparisons, has earned his place as an original and inspired player that few can match. Trower's greatest moment is, arguably, his 1974 release "Bridge of Sighs" which seems to showcase all of his winning attributes better than any of his other releases, perhaps even the compilations, including this one.

What you get here is a 17 song summation of Trower's work spanning from 1973's "Twice Removed From Yesterday" through 1980's "Victim's of the Fury." These were obviously his peak years as far as popularity is concerned but it does a disservice to the rest of his catalogue, which really has not waned in quality as one may suspect. The remastering of classics like "Day Of The Eagle," "About To Begin," and "Caravan To Midnight" all sound incredible with much added depth to the original recordings. However, the tracks selected from his live work from 1976's "Robin Trower Live" can, at times, lean towards sounding a little muddy. Unfortunately one of his best songs, "Too Rolling Stoned" from his "Bridge of Sighs" is represented here in a live version. Hey, it still smokes but wouldn't a 17 song compilation want to throw on the most well known version of a classic? In addition, the songs are not in chronological order but depending on your preference, this may not matter. All of this aside, there are some amazing recordings here that sadly many people are not familiar with. As an added bonus fans of Trower will be pleased to see the rare "Take a Fast Train" included, as it was originally the b-side to "Twice Removed From Yesterday" from his debut album of the same name. Speaking of which, where is THAT song? Well, it's not here.

Obviously this retrospective is meant as an introduction to a fabulous artist and to perhaps convince you to dig deeper into his often overlooked catalogue. Just be aware in doing so that there is so much more to hear from Robin Trower, whose career did not end in 1980, but continues to this day. If you like your blues rocking and are not familiar with Trower's post Procol Harem material you owe yourself the favor to pick this up. While you're there, grab a copy of "Bridge of Sighs." You can thank me later.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This guitarist deserves much more recognition!, July 25, 2008

By 

Strat_Lvr - See all my reviews

This review is from: Day of the Eagle: The Best of Robin Trower (Audio CD)

I totally agree with the other reviewer, Robin Trower never has received the recogniton he deserves, and he's as good as Clapton, Beck, Page, Townshend, Alvin Lee, Ritchie Blackmore, Toni Iommi,Stevie Ray Vaughan, and all the other familiar guitar heroes over the years, and so what if he was influenced by Jimi Hendrix, so were thousands of other guitarists, including the ones mentioned above! Even the great blues guitarist Buddy Guy said he was influenced by Jimi's playing, and said Jimi was doing things on the guitar that to this day no guitar player has figured out how he made certain sounds, and noboby has come close to duplicating that sound! Trower I don't believe "copied" Jimi's overall sound, just a similarity, but he was a huge fan, but Trower's style is not EXACTLY like Jimi Hendrix, and nobody's style is the same as Jimi's, never will there be anyone close in my opinion. I've been playing guitar myself for over 46 years, and I wish I could play half as good as Robin Trower or any of the guitarists I've mentioned.

This collection of songs is very good and covers stuff from all through his years after he left Procol Harum.

Although his debut album in my opinion really didn't have much of the "Hendrix" influenced sound, if you're just getting into Robin Trower, the album/CD to get is without a doubt "Bridge Of Sighs" from 1974, his masterpiece, and absolutely one of the greatest albums of all time, and certainly the best album of 1974!---Glenn Signal Hill, CA USA

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Anthology Of Robin Trower; Should Be Purchased Along With THE ESSENTIAL ROBIN TROWER And BRIDGE OF SIGHS, October 27, 2008

By 

The Footpath Cowboy "rockerusa2002" (Kingston, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Day of the Eagle: The Best of Robin Trower (Audio CD)

DAY OF THE EAGLE: THE BEST OF ROBIN TROWER is a great anthology of Robin Trower's work from 1973 to 1980. However, it should be purchased with BRIDGE OF SIGHS and THE ESSENTIAL ROBIN TROWER, because both of those have the studio version of "Too Rolling Stoned", whereas this one has a live version. The comparisons to Jimi Hendrix are totally unwarranted, because NOBODY could clone Jimi, and Robin was, and is, a great guitarist in his own right. Despite a few missteps (where's "Twice Removed From Yesterday"?), this anthology deserves five stars.