Keep on Running

Robben Ford | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 7, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B0000C9JDJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,671 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: FORD,ROBBEN
Title: KEEP ON RUNNING
Street Release Date: 10/07/2003
Domestic
Genre: BLUES

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Ford's an absolute winner, January 20, 2004

By 

Mr. R. B. Ager "Ronald Ager" (Nottingham, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Keep on Running (Audio CD)

Robben Ford is all but unknown in the UK and, having searched through the Billboard listings in vain, I think he appears to suffer a similar fate in the US, despite this being the most commercial release yet in his long career. This is a crying shame because he is one heck of a hot blues guitar player, with a white-hot backing band pumping out some serious jazz/rock/funk blues.

The title track, a Jackie Edwards song which was a UK No 1 hit single in the 60s for the Spencer Davis Group, grabs the attention with its trademark bass and percussion opening line. Ford's guitar doesn't actually chime in until 1.50 into the track and then it takes over, a wonderfully liquid and aristocratic sound. Three of the following four songs are also cover versions (Otis Rush's "Homework", Eric Clapton's "Badge" and Nick Lowe's (for Elvis Costello) "Peace Love & Understanding"; the workings are quite faithful to the originals and actually show up the one weakness - the vocals. His voice is not the strongest, actually sounding quite immature, unusual for a bluesman of 30-odd years experience. Fortunately he has Siedah Garrett and Mavis Staples on hand to assist here and there.

The album really kicks on from track 6, highlights being his own compositions "Canonball Shuffle" and "Lifetime Thing", and a smokin' "For The Love Of Money" (vocal help again, from Terry Evans). We are treated to some rocking blues of the highest calibre and guitar playing every bit as good as such immortals as Clapton himself or Carlos Santana.

The backing band is of the highest calibre, featuring Jimmy Earl on bass, Steve Potts or Toss Panos on drums, and to give the album that Muscle Shoals soul sound Bob Malach on tenor sax and Dan Fornero on trumpet. Guesting are the likes of Edgar Winter on sax and John Mayall. Sound production is spot on as well.

This has been a regular on my CD player since I discovered it last November. I gave it full recommendation on Amazon's UK site and and am glad to do the same here.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Album From A Veteran Guitarist., February 27, 2004

By 

D. C. Wilks (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keep on Running (Audio CD)

This album quite rapidly followed "Blue Moon" and is noticeably better. Half of the "Blue Moon" album employs fake-sounding drum programming, which really had me scratching my head; this album thankfully abandons that approach. Ford's musical style is reminiscent of what Clapton has been doing since about 1981. The production is very tight, with much overdubbing. The songs are rooted in the blues, soul, and rock-with overtones of funk. However, it all sounds rather "white" (which is what it is), but it still manages to realistically tackle emotionally poignant ideas. If you like this album you should also enjoy Ford's "Supernatural" and Clapton's "Money and Cigarettes."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guitar Tone to Die For, January 6, 2004

By 

Glenn K. Lundberg "Lost Boy" (Midwest) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Keep on Running (Audio CD)

I've followed Robben off-and-on for years, and didn't expect much from this latest offering except more of his signature jazz-inflected blues licks. What a surprise package! The first five cuts are nice -mainly remakes in his own fashion- but tracks 6 & 7 just jump out of the speakers, and from there on the album takes a phenomenal leap forward with some of the most amazing guitar tones ever heard on CD. Track 6's "Cannonball Shuffle" is a lot like Clapton's "Hideaway" from The Bluesbreakers album, and #7, "Lifetime Thing", reminds me of the old Ray Charles's "Night Time is the Right Time" with just some burning guitar tones. Robben can't sing like Ray, tho', and that's the only drawback to an otherwise outstanding offer by this guitar master. Nonetheless, Robben finally proves he deserves a place alongside Clapton, Beck and Page, as this CD will show. If you want to hear great tone, it's all in there. This one should be a classic.