[.ca] Keep on Running

Very Good Album From A Veteran Guitarist.:
This album quite rapidly followed "Blue Moon" and is noticeably better. Half of the "Blue Moon" album employs fake-sounding drum programming, which really had me scratching my head; this album thankfully abandons that approach. Ford's musical style is reminiscent of what Clapton has been doing since about 1981. The production is very tight, with much overdubbing. The songs are rooted in the blues, soul, and rock-with overtones of funk. However, it all sounds rather "white" (which is what it is), but it still manages to realistically tackle emotionally poignant ideas. If you like this album you should also enjoy Ford's "Supernatural" and Clapton's "Money and Cigarettes."

This Ford's an absolute winner:
Robben Ford is all but unknown in the UK and, having searched through the Billboard listings in vain, I think he appears to suffer a similar fate in the US, despite this being the most commercial release yet in his long career. This is a crying shame because he is one heck of a hot blues guitar player, with a white-hot backing band pumping out some serious jazz/rock/funk blues. The title track, a Jackie Edwards song which was a UK No 1 hit single in the 60s for the Spencer Davis Group, grabs the attention with its trademark bass and percussion opening line. Ford's guitar doesn't actually chime in until 1.50 into the track and then it takes over, a wonderfully liquid and aristocratic sound. Three of the following four songs are also cover versions (Otis Rush's "Homework", Eric Clapton's "Badge" and Nick Lowe's (for Elvis Costello) "Peace Love & Understanding"; the workings are quite faithful to the originals and actually show up the one weakness - the vocals. His voice is not the strongest, actually sounding quite immature, unusual for a bluesman of 30-odd years experience. Fortunately he has Siedah Garrett and Mavis Staples on hand to assist here and there. The album really kicks on from track 6, highlights being his own compositions "Canonball Shuffle" and "Lifetime Thing", and a smokin' "For The Love Of Money" (vocal help again, from Terry Evans). We are treated to some rocking blues of the highest calibre and guitar playing every bit as good as such immortals as Clapton himself or Carlos Santana. The backing band is of the highest calibre, featuring Jimmy Earl on bass, Steve Potts or Toss Panos on drums, and to give the album that Muscle Shoals soul sound Bob Malach on tenor sax and Dan Fornero on trumpet. Guesting are the likes of Edgar Winter on sax and John Mayall. Sound production is spot on as well. This has been a regular on my CD player since I discovered it last November. I gave it full recommendation on Amazon's UK site and and am glad to do the same here.

Robben Ford continues to deliver:
Taste Tone Timing Technique Man this guy just continues to deliver; his lead guitar tone throughout is pure sweetnes. Listen to the way he totally funks out with the wah wah pedal on his rhythm parts. "Homework" and "Life time Thing" make me wanna howl like a dawg! Freddy himself would surely have approved of "Cannonball Shuffle". "Over My Head", "Me and my woman"....blues smokers! "Bonnie" is a totally infectious groove. Throw in a coupla killer covers by Cream and Elvis C. and end it all up with "Hand in Hand with the Blues" Whew!...good stuff!

Can't stop listening:
I love this CD. I can't stop listening to it. The more I listen too it the more I love it. Great guitar licks through out!

A message to Robben::
Hire a singer! Fine, you've got the ace guitar rep. and you'll keep working without a problem, but why not move into the elite tour? Anyone who's heard Steve Winwood with Spencer Davis sing "Keep On Runnin'" will never make it all the way through your lame version. Hire a singer!

• Keep on Running
• Over My Head
• Homework
• Badge
• (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?
• Cannonball Shuffle
• Lifetime Thing
• Bonnie
• Me and My Woman
• For the Love of Money
• Hand in Hand With the Blues