by Brian D. Holland
Eight of the ten tracks on Robben Ford’s fourth and most recent Concord Records release, Soul On Ten, were recorded last April at The Independent in San Francisco’s Alamo Square. No doubt a room chosen for its acoustic value, audience applause at the end of each song is the single reminder that it was recorded live and not in the studio. With an approach that contains an air of excellence in any recording situation, even Robben’s raw and improvisational sections come off tight and concise.
Though his singing voice is more than adequate, his compositions good, and the individual members of his rhythm section solid and praiseworthy enough on their own, Robben’s bluesy and melodic fret work is what it’s all about here. There’s no getting around that. His signature guitar tone is full and vibrant, and the notes soar soulfully and generously about the venue, loudly yet never piercingly loud. His playing technique is a dynamic voice in itself, one that’s genuinely expressive. Those familiar with the amazing guitarist know that much of his melodic phrasing and timbre is suggestive of a brass instrument at times, which only adds dimension to that instrumental voice. These characteristics are prominent within the setlist’s mixture of blues, jazz, rock, soul, funk, and contemporary sounds. Generally speaking, there’s enough music candy for everyone’s ears in this sundry show.
A funky wah-wah induced rhythm reminiscent of Hendrix gets Supernatural started. The exemplary gem from the 1999 album of the same name possesses a unique to Robben style. He has a knack for putting an elaborate arrangement in its place by granting it temporary footing on the ground, and then firing it off into intricate obscurity again, a Miles Davis jazz-like area in this case.
Indianola (from his 2002 “Blue Moon” album), the lone instrumental here, is an amazing display of both rhythmic flow and solo expertise. Though it’s very much Robben Ford, it evokes the style of both Eric Johnson and Sonny Landreth in places. The incredible drumming of Toss Panos keeps the rhythm going strong throughout the upbeat number. Robben once again utilizes the wah-wah in There’ll Never Be Another You. As everything else pertaining to his technique, he uses the effect tastefully and sparingly, adding nicely to the song’s funky atmosphere without going over the top. He eliminates it when the arrangement changes pace, and ultimately goes another way with some interesting volume manipulation.
He boldly does his own thing with Willy Dixon’s Spoonful. The blues staple once popularized by Cream is performed in a vibrant and funky manner. The guitar solo, which is incredible throughout, stays original to Robben Ford while true to the song. Neal Evans is solid on Hammond B3. A good choice to follow this cover, Nothin’ To Nobody, written with Michael McDonald for the Supernatural album, is an eleven minute contemporary jazz excursion. Robben’s snappy licks lead into Travis Carlton’s (son of Larry) solid bass solo. The band then gets into a little 12-bar Chicago blues with exciting renditions of Elmore James’ Please Set A Date and Jimmy Reed’s You Don’t Have To Go.
Earthquake, a new original composition, is an eight minute show of utter diversity. All the stops are pulled for this modern, bluesy, jazzy, and utterly soulful performance. A triumphant mesh of contemporary melody and amazing musicianship once again, it’s all over the Robben Ford musical spectrum.
Though How Deep In The Blues (Do You Want To Go) closes the show, the music isn’t over. Two new and original studio tracks put the icing on the cake. Pleasantly mellow yet lyrically profound, Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me is about loved ones left behind and loneliness on the road. The lyrically thoughtful Thoughtless brings the fine album to a suitable close.
Robben Ford’s Soul On Ten is a wonderful live presentation, a solid display of the ever inspiring showmanship of one of today’s most compelling and original guitarists. The two added studio pieces at the end are indications of his desire to include more of what he’s presently doing, keeping busy making good music.
Concert Setlist:
1. Supernatural
2. Indianola
3. There’ll Never Be Another You
4. Spoonful
5. Nothin’ To Nobody
6. Please Set A Date/You Don’t Have To Go
7. Earthquake
8. How Deep In The Blues (Do You Want To Go)
Studio:
9. Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me
10. Thoughtless
Label: Concord Records
Release Date: August 11, 2009
Related Links:
Robben Ford
Soul On Ten on Amazon
