Robben Ford has been around, seemingly, forever (he is 74 Y.O.), and continues to turn out music of a really high quality and confidence.
Right from the opener ‘Make My Own Weather’, there is a punch and a really professional kick. His guitar is superb, tearing out solos or playing an incredibly funky riff. The track is imbued with a wonderful groove and the keyboards and horns make if intensely danceable. “That’s one of my favourite straight-up, slamming blues things I’ve ever written,” says Ford. “It’s about a guy reclaiming his freedom. I tried to create the rumble of a motorcycle with the rhythm guitar.”
He covers John Lennon’s ‘Jealous Guy’, giving it a new voice and form. The meaning of the song remains but he moves away from the style of Lennon and it feels a little less of an apology than the original.
‘Perfect Illusion’ is a very eighties styled soul number, still featuring his stunning guitar work – along with fat horns and piano. “That was written back in 1999 on my own during a period of writing with Michael McDonald,” Ford says. “I went out to get some air and on the gravel driveway, I saw what looked like a jewel. I look closer and it’s a drop of water, reflecting the light. And I thought: ‘Hah, perfect illusion’.”
My personal favourites are both instrumentals. ‘The Light Fandango’, heavy groove and strident horns. ‘The Fire Flute’ is a jazzy piece, with a wonderful bassline.
The album was recorded in Eastcote Studios with engineer George Murphy. The chemistry of Ford with his chosen band is obvious, with Ford’s guitar and vocals leading a first-call band that takes in drummer Ianto Thomas (Mark Knopfler), keys man Jonny Henderson (Otis Grand), bassist Robin Mullarkey (Paloma Faith) and a brass section comprising of Paul Booth (saxophone), Ryan Quigley (trumpet) and Trevor Mires (trombone). “Great cats,” smiles Ford. “London has been incredible for finding musicians. This place is loaded, even better for me than Nashville or LA.”
The album is a triumph although not for everyone – a sophisticated palate will probably be required.
