Guitarists -- Robin Trower?

[jluetjen]

I was just watching a couple of Robin Trower videos on Wolfgang's Vault, which got me thinking about why he never seemed to make it into the "big time". Admittedly, I was just a drummer at the time (what did I know about guitarists???), but he always struck me as a completely wild guitarist who seemed to slip nicely in after Hendrix and certainly seemed to foreshadow Stevie Ray Vaughn.

I always found it curious that Vaughn was held up as a "Guitar God" -- even when he was alive, while Trower seemed to just fade from the scene. Personally I always felt that Trower was doing everything that Vaughn did (except die) -- but 10 year earlier.

Any guitar afficianatos care to fill me in???

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Bridge of Sighs is a KILLER album.

I never understood why he didnt hit it big either.

Tommy Bolin as well. he could have been huge

[flatbutt]

I've got BoS on vinyl. Awesomeness on a disk. No idea wha happened to the guy.

[URY914]

I sorta think Jeff Beck falls in to this group too. He did have some fame but nothing like Clapton. Maybe Jeff had a bad voice?

[stomachmonkey]

I like Trower a lot.

Great guitar player.

Honestly though after about 4 songs it starts sounding formulaic.

Almost like listening to Boston, you just KNOW it's them.

For me Vaughn always felt more "natural".

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by URY914

I sorta think Jeff Beck falls in to this group too. He did have some fame but nothing like Clapton. Maybe Jeff had a bad voice?

Beck opted for Jazz and it's smaller audience.

[targa911S]

The king of the phase shifter. Always like the band. The vocalist had a great voice.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I've got BoS on vinyl. Awesomeness on a disk. No idea wha happened to the guy.

I have that on vinyl as well.

[herr_oberst]

Trower still tours, showed up in Portland a cuppla months ago.

(BoS on Vinyl - and disc. Good stuff.)

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by turbocarrera

Trower is a solid Hendrix clone but... meh

I like Trower but would have to agree he fell in the shadow of Jimi.

[5String43]

I agree with stomachmonkey. Some guys - Clapton, Knopfler, for instance - just have a certain musicality to their playing that most of the rest of us don't have. And when you don't got that, all the technical ability in the world (which guys like Trower and Beck have in spades) won't help. Just my view - your results may vary.

[tabs]

That thing is IMAGINATION and EMOTION

Hendrix expressed his emotions through his guitar playing.

[notmytarga]

While on summer break from college in the early 80's Trower played in my smallish (45K at the time) home town. I "scored" free promo tickets from the radio station the day of the concert and went with a friend. I didn't know squat about him but was a fan of plenty of other groups.

I mostly remember the warm up group. "Shooting Star" as I recall. I enjoyed the vigorous stage presence of the wireless fiddle player. The dynamic use of the various musicians and their instruments. The lighting was even pumped up for a warm up group. I should have become a fan of them and ..... the fiddler Chas Waltz - now of the Young Dubliners (google caught me up with them).

I'm a guitar fan and over the years have appreciated the flamboyant use of the instument (Buckethead, Lynard Sknard, Jimmy Page etc) as well as understated virtuosity (see Nina Gerber some day). Robin was not an entertainer nor did he impress me with playing prowess.

When Trower took the stage the dynamic use of volume, stage presence, lighting and sheer entertainment was reduced dramatically. He played riffs, didn't use the stage much and the songs were uninspiring. We left way early.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I disagree about Beck not having any emotion. Just go listen to Blow by Blow.

[stomachmonkey]

Sitting here listening to Blood Sugar Sex Magic.

I don't think many would put John Fruisciante in the same league as Hendrix, Clapton, Beck etc... but the boy can play with feeling.

One of my favorite guitarists.

[URY914]

Beck is a real motor head. Has a collection of fine cars. So he has that going for him.

[ramonesfreak]

who knows. maybe he made just enough money to be comfortable and lost his hunger to keep working towards better stuff. im a guitar player and the guy just never grabbed me as someone to obsess over when you have hendrix to listen to

phil campbell of motorhead is absolutely outstanding and never gets a mention in any guitar magazines

JJ Cale is great too and nobody gives a hoot except for his cult following.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by jluetjen

I always found it curious that Vaughn was held up as a "Guitar God" -- even when he was alive, while Trower seemed to just fade from the scene. Personally I always felt that Trower was doing everything that Vaughn did (except die) -- but 10 year earlier.

Any guitar afficianatos care to fill me in???

Vaughn Vs Trower? apples and oranges...

Again I like Trower... but he has very little range or dynamics... pretty much a one tone one trick pony.

Whereas Vaughn could do all the overdrive/feedback Hendrix's stuff... plus funky blues too.

Just IMHO... sure I will get flamed by the Trower fans now

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by jluetjen

....I always found it curious that Vaughn was held up as a "Guitar God" -- even when he was alive, while Trower seemed to just fade from the scene. Personally I always felt that Trower was doing everything that Vaughn did (except die) -- but 10 year earlier.

Any guitar afficianatos care to fill me in???

Trower toured through here recently...I passed, just not for me. If you want to know why SRV achieved his status (certainly not "GG" though), check out the "Live at the El Mocambo" dvd sometime. Technical prowess aside, the music simply "poured out of SRV like the sweat poured out his body" ...unbelievable "soul", "IT", whatever...words can't describe when a player is in the "zone".

ps: I once passed on SRV too...when he was at "very rock bottom", but that dvd captures him at his very best imo...YMMV

pps: I forgot another HUGE thing about SRV..."Double Trouble"

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

JJ Cale is great too and nobody gives a hoot except for his cult following.

I never considered JJ a great guitarist, though I've got a ton of his stuff, and he's a GREAT musician and songwriter imo...