Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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103 of 104 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must See DVD!, March 4, 2006
After waiting for months, my copy of Robin Trower's new DVD, "Living out of Time" arrived yesterday and went straight into the DVD player. Man, it was sure worth the wait!
If you love Robin Trower -- or electric blues guitar in general -- you simply cannot go wrong with this DVD. It contains a good balance of the classic Trower songs from the James Dewar era and his newer material, including one song so new, it's not on any album yet! There's also a bonus section with a neat photo gallery; actual photos, not just stills from the video (many have some nice time-laps and processing effects). There's also a nicely shot and very informative interview with Robin (did you know that at one time, he had the same manager as the Beatles, or that the development of his sound took place in San Francisco AFTER the death of Jimi Hendrix, or that he didn't feel he took the guitar seriously until after he left Procol Harum?). Learn how Robin became a "Strat-Man" and why Robin feels he is living out of time, and proud of it! Good stuff. But I didn't buy this DVD for the bonus material...
Folks, I have many, many live concert DVDs and the quality varies greatly from one to another. In many cases the mix between instruments and vocals isn't balanced correctly or the audio is not crisp and clean. In other cases, the video has problems (i.e., too dark, or fuzzy and grainy, cameramen who don't know how to video a rock performance -- or good camera work ruined by bad video editing) etc. That is not the case with Living Out of Time! Not only is the performance superb, but the DVD production is one of the best I've seen and heard. The audio quality is fantastic (apparently right off the main board). The kick drum is solid, the snare and cymbals are tight and clean, the bass and vocals are sharp and bold and Robin, well, he sounds as good as I've ever heard him on any recording.
...And the video is outstanding! Very bright and clear, with great close-up shots of Robin's fantastic scales, multi-note bending (with and without whammy bar) incredible finger vibrato, and overall "fret board gymnastics" -- but there's even shots of Robin's foot-pedal work! I also wasn't expecting anything unusual about the stage lighting, just a standard club set-up. Again, not the case here! There are some great lighting effects and unusual graphics projected on a full stage screen behind the band. While the lighting is unique and interesting, it does not detract from the performance, but instead, enhances it (check out the lighting effect on the close-up shots of Davey during "Please Tell Me").
Drummer Pete Thompson (of the 70's / 80's British band Shotgun and long-time Trower collaborator) has just the right sound and style for this material. Bassist Dave Bronze is another long-time Trower collaborator (in addition to Eric Clapton, Sting, Procol Harum, Phil Collins, Jeff Beck, Stuart Copeland, Bo Diddly, Roger Daltry, David Gilmore, Brian Ferry, George Harrison and Ray Davis, to name but a few) sounds smooth, fat and `dead-on target'! Oh, did I mention Dave was also voted British Blues Connections 2000 Bass Player of the Year? :-)
As others have mentioned, Davey Pattison does indeed sound reminiscent of the late/great James Dewar. But he adds his own stamp of character and style to the vocals. I have also been a long-time fan of Ronnie Montrose and Davey Pattison's band Gamma, and I can hear the Gamma sound -- along with Dewar's -- in this performance. There's also a lot of the classic, bluesy, 1960's Eric Clapton / Cream sound to Davey's vocals (think "Crossroads"). It all comes together quite nicely.
While staying true to his sound, Robin doesn't just replicate the older versions of his classic songs, instead he add a great deal of new licks, breaks and modulations that really kept them interesting. His newer material is right up there with the best of his classics.
Highlights include the up-tempo, blues-rock "Rise up Like the Sun", the pensive and moody "Breathless" -- where Robin takes a turn at lead vocals as well (and to my surprise, has a very effective voice for this style). There's also some amazing new soloing and breaks in classics like "Daydream" and "A Little Bit of Sympathy" -- and a perfect recreation of the mystifying guitar sound of "Bridge of Sighs" that I fell in love with so many years ago (with new interpretations of the classic licks).
So, if you loved the unique, swirling, gliding, vibrating, sustaining, double-stopping, wah-wah'ing sounds of Robin Trower, well, here they are in all their glory! I don't generally evaluate anything at the maximum available points, but I can honestly think of nothing they could have done to make this DVD any better - so I must give it 5 out of 5 stars. I guess the only surprise was the polite, but much retrained reaction of the German audience (definitely not an American crowd - they would have been goin' nuts)!
I had understood Robin Trower had retired a while ago, if true, I'm sure glad he changed his mind! If you love Robin Trower (or classic Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy, or the bluesier side of Jimi Hendrix) this DVD is not only a winner, but a true "must have". I've heard that Robin and this line-up are working out a U.S. tour in mid-to-late 2006; don't miss `em (I'll definitely be there)!
Cheers!
"The Doctor"
(Somewhere in California)
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130 of 133 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally!, February 17, 2006
One thing I've always loved and respected about Robin Trower is his amazing ability to stay true to himself and his classic sound, even thirty years later. He consistently releases new CDs as well, without the all too common trait of mellowing out while entering the final stages of musical maturity, like others whose names we need not mention. Living Out Of Time stays true to that form. He feels as though his playing is at his best right now, and I'm certain fans will agree. His signature Strat tone and blues-rock showmanship are highlighted throughout, alongside the superb vocals of Davey Pattison, his off and on vocalist since Passion. Pattison's soulful voice is very reminiscent of former, beloved Trower vocalist, James Dewar. The superb rhythm section is bassist Dave Bronze and drummer Pete Thomson, both longtime Trower band members as well.
Following a warm introduction, the band breaks into an exuberant `Too Rolling Stoned'. The opening chord segues into a wailing lead that ensues until the pause, where the recognizable riff gets it all pumping strong. That distorted wah-wah technique that Trower has always been known for is the tone of the moment. Davey Pattison belts out, "Oh, a stitch in time just about saved me, from going through the same old moves." You're in classic rock heaven now, and primed for the 13-song set, full of those wonderful blues-rock jams and wailing guitar solos.
All this time, you may be looking at the screen and at the birthday boy, healthy and strong, yet sixty all the same. Not only are his chops and technique still in place, but the music is just as it was thirty years ago, maybe even better in certain areas. And as I had mentioned earlier, Pattison's voice fits like a glove. He takes a break for the song `Breathless', where Trower takes to the mic. He does a fairly decent job at it, too. There's a mixture of new and old material in the set, making things very interesting.
The DVD and the CD are identical in content; though, from a staunch Trower fans point of view, it's great to have one for the car and another to watch in the living room. The difference is that he's more personable with the audience on the DVD, because most of the chatter was left off the CD. The DVD starts with the audience singing 'Happy Birthday' while holding up lit sparklers, representing celebrative candles. Robin then thanks them, adding, "Just give me a few minutes to make sure I'm not in tune." It made me think, because other than being humorous, that statement could mean a few different things to guitarists. There's a picture gallery and an interesting interview on the DVD as well.
All in all, it's great to finally get a Robin Trower DVD, viewable in 16:9 picture format and recorded in quality Dolby Digital 5.1/2.0 PCM Stereo sound.
Living Out Of Time DVD/CD
1. Too Rolling Stoned
2. Sweet Angel
3. What's Your Name
4. Rise Up Like The Sun
5. Daydream
6. Living Out Of Time
7. Breathless
8. Day Of The Eagle
9. Bridge Of Sighs
10. Close Every Door
11. I Want You To Love Me
12. Please Tell Me
13. Little Bit Of Sympathy
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still Has It!, February 28, 2006
I've been a fan since his first album 'Twice Removed From Yesterday.'
The first time I got to see Robin was on the 'Long Misty Days' tour and I caught him in Dallas, TX back in the 70's.
I've caught several more of his concerts since then. He still is the only musician I've seen live that can cause almost painful goosebumps. This dvd has brought back many wonderful memories. It's a must have for any Trower fan or any true rock guitar fan.
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