You know what’s weird?
I had never heard Robin Trower before, but when I listened to this album I immediately recognized how important his work was, like Les Paul’s jazz and sound experimention. I’m mean, sure, I had heard of Procol Harum, but I always wrote them off as a “poor-man’s Moody Blues.”
It’s the weirdest feeling, like something just clicked inside. Trower’s work is really strong and recognizable, and yet he’s a truly humble man. His influence has been so diffuse that other people have simply picked it up and run with it. I realized that he is truly under-rated and yet is arguably the link between Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd.
You can hear his direct influence on Cream and Santana’s early stuff (although Hendrix was definitely in the mix). I feel like David Gilmore was parodying Trower when Floyd wrote the song “Young Lust.” Now that the blues-influenced power fifth note that Trower uses in “Bridge of Sighs” is such a primary influence, Gilmore is stuck with it and it’s not even his.
I started listening to Trower’s back catalog. I am especially impressed with his recent work that he’s done as 70+ year old guitarist. I liked his covers in his album “Roots and Branches.”
TL;DR I have become a fan of Robin Trower because of this video link. And strangely enough, I feel like I’ve been a fan most of my life and didn’t even know it.
Thank you.
