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Blues.

Robben Ford’s new album, Two Shades of Blue, was released on March 27, and it’s not just fans who eagerly awaited its arrival. Ford is a highly-skilled guitarist well regarded by his peers, and they are, no doubt, also waiting to see what he has to offer.

In addition to the technical proficiency Ford brings to the fore, he’s known for his great sound and highly listenable recordings, each one offering something new and different. This may be vexing for those who are in the “don’t-know-what-they-like, only like-what-they-know,” category, but Ford has never been about stagnation.

He prides himself on diversity, saying, “I don’t have two records that sound the same.” And the new album continues as a beacon of his range, talent, and ability. Both fans and peers will be happy to know Two Shades delivers on all three points.

The album crosses genres seamlessly from the funky blues of the first single released, “Make My Own Weather” to the jazzy instrumentals “The Fire Flute,” and “The Light Fandango.” Ford cites the influences of Paul Butterfield, John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and B.B. King, among many others, which may explain his penchant for the eclectic.

The record features a great lineup of musicians backing Ford’s formidable guitar talents. Horns and Hammond B3 organ permeate the album, contributing to its multi-faceted approach.

The album includes a new version of “Black Night,” the standard blues tune originally performed by Charles Brown and written by Jessie Mae Robinson. Ford had covered this tune earlier in his career. “That song just kinda resurfaced for me. I heard the original version, and it just killed me, man,” he explained.

Ford says this album started as a tribute to Jeff Beck. Few could achieve something so ambitious, but Ford certainly has the chops to do so. Beck’s influence can clearly be heard, especially in “Feeling’s Mutual,” but also in the aforementioned instrumentals “The Fire Flute,” and “The Light Fandango.”

Like Beck, Ford is a guitar virtuoso and both have always produced music that welcomes critical attention.

After the initial studio work began, Ford was not particularly enthralled with some of the earlier cuts they had put together for the initial tribute concept. He changed direction and the eight tracks, ultimately included in Two Shades of Blue, were the result.

Included in the mix is John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy.” It’s an intriguing cover featuring Ford’s vocals, horns and B3.

Appearing on the album are drummer Ianto Thomas, the keyboards of Jonny Henderson, bassist Robin Mullarkey and a brass section comprising Paul Booth (saxophone), Ryan Quigley (trumpet) and Trevor Mires (trombone).

For the instrumental songs, “The Fire Flute,” “The Light Fandango” and “Feeling’s Mutual,” Ford recruited bassist Darryl Jones, keyboardist Larry Goldings and Gary Husband on drums.

Ford describes the soaring slow-blues instrumental title track, “Two Shades of Blue,” as “right up my alley.” But for the second single, “Perfect Illusion,” he shifted gears to a soulful ballad, featuring the brass section.

While the album can be described as jazz-blues-rock fusion, the blues base is deliberate as, in an earlier interview Ford explained, “You can be the most sophisticated person in the world but if you don’t have that connection to the blues, there’s big time something going to be missing in your music. It’s the spiritual element.”

And that element encapsulates the spirit of Two Shades of Blue – there is surely nothing missing here.

Tracks:
1. Make My Own Weather
2. Jealous Guy
3. Perfect Illusion
4. Black Night
5. Two Shades Of Blue
6. The Fire Flute
7. The Light Fandango
8. Feeling's Mutual

Staat er compleet op, 10% pars mee gepost. Met zeer veel dank aan de originele poster. Laat af en toe eens weten wat je van het album vindt. Altijd leuk, de mening van anderen. Oh ja, MP3 doe ik niet aan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifXKg9V-MZ0