Customer Reviews

Twice Removed From Yesterday

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This is the beginning or as it said on the plastic cover "The Bridge to The Bridge of Sighs" an often overlooked, underrated album in my book. This is a little underproduced compared to Bridge of Sighs but is still a classic. It was only available for a long time as one of the two on one cds (with Bridge of Sighs on same cd) and then that went out of print. I guess if you want the debut of a master musician, this is it.
This would be better for the fan that is already familiar with Trower and just wants a new copy for prosperity or whatever; the new fan may be better off with "The Essential Robin Trower" as more of an overview of Robin Trower.
Solid playing on solid songs, no nonsense and yes, for those that don't know, if there are any, it is derivative of Hendrix. All in all a great debut and welcom re-release. Also includes the bonus track "Take A Fast Train"

Update May 12, 2011.

Alright, perhaps I did make one too many comparisons to other artists in my original review of Robin Trower's Twice Removed From Yesterday, which explains all the negativity in the comments section. I should have explained the album in detail like I normally do. I'm not sure why I didn't do that originally.

Anyway, here's a better review of Twice Removed from Yesterday.

What instantly strikes me about this album is the mood. It's dreamy yes, but underneath the beautiful guitar playing and vocal melodies I sense a fairly melancholy and depressing vibe. It's like being in heaven alone.

"Daydream" contains shades of Jimi Hendrix in the guitar solos and atmosphere, but what blows me away is how HUGE the music sounds. This is definitely different from most 70's hard rock bands. When I say "huge" I mean it sounds like some important grand statement, like this is how a beautiful song is supposed to be written. Hendrix never quite reached a level *this* awesome.

One key difference between Trower and Hendrix is that Robin Trower tends to really dig into your emotions with his guitar playing, whereas Hendrix occasionally goes for emotion, but also had his moments of showing off. I also feel that Hendrix's music is more immediately enjoyable whereas Trower's guitar skills take time to absorb.

I can imagine how magical this song must have sounded when it was originally released, and even today it still sounds pretty cool. I believe Rainbow was influenced heavily by this song because "Catch the Rainbow" contains a strikingly similar flow and atmosphere.

"I Can't Wait Much Longer" has a surprisingly soulful vocal melody. I like the way the verse melody builds with emotional intensity until the incredibly sad "Cuz every day gets stronger, and every day grows and grows, and I can't wait much longer" lines comes in. The guitar riff even seems to follow with the vocal melody, and it's a perfect moment of songwriting really. It's truly amazing. The feeling matches the album cover, too.

"Hannah" features a slow-moving but very powerful guitar riff in the beginning until James Dewar really blows me away with just as much passion here that he illustrated in the two previous songs. I can't recall another hard rock band that utilized so much soul. The guitar solo seems hard to notice at first since it's covered in a thick layer of haze, but with repeated listens you can make out most of it.

A song like "Rock Me Baby" would have been in danger of becoming just another attempt at the blues by a 70's rock band, but luckily some quality guitar licks save what would have otherwise been an average song because the vocal melody fails to make an impression on me. Dewar sounds like he's disappointed while singing it, like he wants to put some soul into it but forced to restrain himself and sing a simple blues pattern instead.

"Sinner's Song" starts out innocently enough with a decent verse melody before totally catching me off guard with a fantastic guitar solo. It feels more like a freak out jam, though. It's *awesome*. Anyone who likes this guitar jam absolutely must hear Santana's Love, Devotion & Surrender album. It contains the same kind of guitar intensity but stretched out much much longer.

What an eerie way to end the album with "Ballerina". Is it pretty? Yeah. Is it dreamy? Yes it is. Does it feel unsettling? Absolutely!

Anyway here's my older review and you know, I still stand by most of it, but an album of this quality definitely deserved a more detailed review.

People keep comparing Robin Trower's guitar playing to Jimi Hendrix, but to me, his first album closely resembles the classic period of Cream. He doesn't necessarily have Eric Clapton's guitar style, but the mood is similar to the psychedelic period of Cream.

I'd say Trower's guitar playing reminds me of a slower, and more atmospheric Ritchie Blackmore with a vocalist that isn't much different from the singer of Bad Company.

The songwriting on Twice Removed From Yesterday is pretty strong. Back in the 70's hard rock bands didn't just rock out- they could also back it up with strong songwriting, and that's exactly what this album delivers. I really like it. The way the album was recorded is really cool too, because it feels like everything's a dream. I recommend it.

Great album (sorry I'm of the Album generation!) We don't have many Robin/Dewar recordings to savor--so I'm grateful for the ones we have! I still to this day remember the first time I heard TR. I was a teenager living in Germany. I was sitting on the couch one evening just listening to the radio--most likely plucking on my cheap Framus (German) Strat copy dreaming of being able to play like Jimi and carry the flame for him (dreaming!) And I distinctly remember the disk jockey introducing the next song because he said something to the effect that: "this brilliant new guitarist was going to make a big impact on the guitar world with his Hendrix like vibe or tone"...then, blasting out of the little radio speaker came a cascade of pure sonic nirvana, "Little Bit of Sympathy." I don't think I even slept that night. I wasn't even sure I believed my ears--I was both excited and crest fallen that someone had beaten me to my childish goal! It was a double wammy as I was as impressed with the vocals as I was the guitar playing! RIP James! One of Rocks greatest vocalist ever! Robins guitar and James' soulful voice were a match made in heaven! Needles to say the very next morning I went out and found the 'Sighs" album and "Twice Removed". I was astounded! No doubt BOS was a better album but "Twice Removed" is still one of my favorites. It's a slice of guitar history. Compare him to Hendrix or not--what sets Trower apart is his Raw Emotion. That ability to push emotion through your finger tips out the speaker/or soundhole and into the listener--some call that the Blues. Whatever it is, it's not an easy task to accomplish...and very few players ever achieve it: Trower HAS IT, Hendrix certainly had it in spades, Bloomfield, Rory Gallagher, The Kings (BB,Albert,Freddie), to name a few. Trower once said in an Guitar Player interview that he wasn't happy with the sound quality of this album being the groups first studio attempt they didn't take as much control over the recording and mixing duties as they did with the next recording. You can clearly hear the difference between this and BOS in the overall sound quality--but the material is still very strong. I highly recommend it! If your just discovering Trower it's a must have!

I'm always interested in anything/everything RT, and especially with the promise of improved audio to the older catalog titles.

However, comparing this new release to the 1997 BGO-label Twice/Bridge remastered two-fer, I found virtually no difference in the mastering of that disc and this new release.

The addition of the "Man Of The World" single b-side, "Take A Fast Train", is, of course, a nice bonus, but not necessarily essential. Plus, having owned the BGO since its release, I wasn't aware that it had fell OOP, or that it was being hawked for ridiculous prices here on Amazon, so this re-release at a normal cost is also welcome.

However, if you already have the BGO, you may wish to consider whether or not to re-purchase this edition, just to end up with the same audio, and the one bonus track.

As the booklet liner notes document, "Twice" will always be overshadowed by "Bridge Of Sighs", and was recorded quickly on a shoestring budget without a record company deal. But, what a fabulous and timeless album it turned out to be.

9/2010 UPDATE: EMI has released a FABULOUS new RT 3CD set, A Tale Untold: The Chrysalis Years (1973-1976). It not only contains the first five RT albums in their entirety, with bonus tracks (including "Take A Fast Train"), it has the best mastering of ANY RT release! So, bypass this CD, and definitely replace any of the first 5 RT albums you have in your collection with that new set, you won't be sorry!

In my opinion, the best Robin Trower album! After years of watching people who owned the ill-fated original CD issue of this album over-charge for this online, it has been remastered and sounds great and is priced reasonably finally. Great debut from a great band. Ha ha ha to the rest of you price-gougers who are STUCK with the over-priced inferior pressings. Patience paid off for many of us waiting for the re-issue of this masterpiece.

I love Bridge Of Sighs, the 2nd Trower CD/LP.
When I heard this CD was being released I ordered it and I am very glad I did.
The late Reg Isidore on drums is brilliant on this CD as is bass/vocals The late James Dewar.
Sad these 2 are gone but their music lives on.
My fav songs are Hannah & I Can't Wait Much Longer.

It's a special music experience and highly recommended especially if you like Jimi Hendrix.

I bought Robin Trower's Twice Removed From Yesterday in vinyl first time in vinyl in 3-25-73. The Cd version in the late eighties when it was available. This remastered version a month a go. Since it came out in 1973 this is as good as a cd can get when it compares to my vinyl versions of the 1970's. I am the biggest fan of Robin Trower, on the planet. This is a must have unless you have a mint vinyl, good turntable and great stereo. This still may be better for a lot of technical reasons, very good bottom end for a older recording. Thank you Amazon for having a great music section, all of my purchases have been top of the line.

If you like Robin Trower and haven't heard this album,(Can't imagine that) I feel it's one of his best. There isn't a bad song on it really. They are all different unlike a lot of crap that's passing for rock these days. Has a very ethereal spacey sound to it. No I don't think it sounds like Hendrix whatsoever. I get tired of hearing that comparison or accusations that Trower is imitating Hendrix. Isn't so in my book. So would I recommend this CD? You bet. It's a must have for any Robin Trower fan period.

Robin Trower was formally the guitarist in late 60s British rock legends Procol Harum. Although PH was never really a band dominated by guitar save for a few songs here and there (Whiskey Train). He split in 1971 and formed a power trio, taking his obvious influences from Cream. Along with drummer Reg Isador, and bassist/vocalist James Dewart from obscure group Stone The Crow.

Their first album Twice Removed From Yesterday, what do you say about it. If you enjoy real rock, or 70's rock or hard rock or even blues rock. its a must have along with several of Trower's albums from the time. Starting off with a trio of what would become Trower's trademark sound, slow ereathral blues songs, msystic in nature. Its a page out of Hendrix's book for sure, Hendrix was the master of the slow floating sort of blues/rock songs that were very dreamy and hazy. Trower though, takes the format and totally makes it his own in I Can't Wait Much Longer, the gentle Daydream and the slow burning Hannah. The band brings the album into more uptempo gear for the first time with Man Of The World, an interesting more bouncy rock song but the real gems arrive in the 2nd half with the absolutely rocking I Can't Sand It. One of the most bludgeoning guitar riffs ever, it blows the roof off. This one must be played LOUD. The band once again returns to the 60's blues/rock roots with a cover of the standard Rock Me Baby but things pick up again with the title track, a song that is rocking but also mixes the atmosphereics in nicely creating nothing short of a masterpiece number. Sinner's Song and the whispery Ballerina round the album out in nice fashion.

The best things about Trower's band were of course his guitar playing, he's one of the best and not only does he channel the hazy and dreamy style of Hendrix's compisitions but he boils the speakers alive with his rockers which only get better on the follow up albums. Trower's most famous album of course is Bridge Of Sighs and anyone who is familiar with that album need to hear the other great albums the band did. James Dewar has an amazing voice. very soulful and passionate and really counters Trower's playing as dominate force in the band. This first album offers a glimpse of the formula he would continue on in future albums but also make better. This album is a lost classic though and isnt diminshed in any way by his future efforts. Essential.

This was Robin Trower's first solo release and it's one of his best. It's not quite up to the level of his tour de force, Bridge of Sighs, but it's still an album that's worth having.

If you're not familiar with Robin Trower, he was one of the best guitarists of the 1970s. He's still active and his latest album The Playful Heart retains his place amongst the best guitarists around. Jimi Hendrix was one of his influences and that Hendrix influence is quite obvious on Trower's first two albums, Twice Removed From Yesterday and Bridge of Sighs.

If you like electric guitar virtuosity, Robin Trower's first two albums should be in your music collection.

Robin Trower seems to be overlooked these days, which is unfortunate since he's still putting out great music. His latest album The Playful Heart is excellent.

If you're not familiar with Robin Trower's 1970s work, start with his second album, Bridge of Sighs. If you like Bridge of Sighs, buy this one.