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Of course, the saddest and most important news for us all is the passing away of James Dewar on May 16, 2002. Our condolences and shared sadness go out to all who knew or admired this great man. I've posted a Tribute and Report on James Dewar's Passing. Please feel free to read my thoughts and those of others regarding one of the finest singers in rock and roll.
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Finally there's a new RT CD for 2003! It's called Living Out Of Time (or LOOT for short). It features a killer lineup of Robin on guitar; Pete Thompson on drums; Dave Bronze on bass; and the great Davey Pattison returning on vocals! The reviews have been excellent, and the CD and all the info you need are avaiable at TrowerPower.com, the official Robin Trower site.
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As well as enjoying all of The Man's classic material, don't forget to get your hands on Robin's last four releases. There's 1997's 'Someday Blues', 2000's 'Go My Way', the great live CD 'This Was Now - 74-98', and of course the new 'Living Out Of Time'.
'This Was Now - 74-98' is a double CD set released by V-12 Records featuring two virtually complete concerts from 1974 and 1998. The 1974 set is from a King Biscuit show in Pittsburgh, while the 1998 performance is from the band's May 21 and 22, 1998 dates at the Ballard Firehouse in Seattle. The sound on the Seattle gig is nothing short of remarkable, with today's recording techniques allowing better fidelity and overall quality than many of Trower's previous live releases. The CD is available in stores and online, but you can also contact RT's managements at imanage@earthlink.net, or visit the offical Robin Trower Web Site trowerpower.com to get your copy of any of the CDs listed above.
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Here's a great opportunity to keep up on all the latest Trower news by subscribing to the TrowerPower mailing list, published by Robin's management company. TrowerPower features stories, news and all sorts of info about the man. All you have to do to subscribe to the list is visit TrowerPower.com, and fill out the super-easy form. It's free, it's about the man . . . what else could ya want :-).
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Just for the record again, the official Robin Trower site is at www.trowerpower.com. You'll find everything you need to know about the man's comings and goings: tours, info, archives and tons more!
Drummer Bill Lordan has his own Web Site at www.billlordan.com. Check it out! Bill is a great friend and continues to be one of the premier drummers in the universe! Great looking site too!
Singer Davey Pattison also has his own site at www.daveypattison.com. Again, an excellent site from one of the best singers to ever mount the stage.
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Shine On Records had released a CD called 'Ain't Nothin' to Get Excited About' by Liquorice John Death. This album was recorded in 1970 and features Trower and members of Procol Harum playing various blues and rock tunes "live off the floor". I don't know if the CD is still available, but you can get more detailed info about this rare release at the Beyond The Pale Procol Harum Site, or read Joan May's synopsis below:
'Ain't Nothin' to Get Excited About' by Liquorice John Death (recorded 1970, released 1998)
The band consists of Trower and his 1970 Procol Harum (and former Paramounts) mates Chris Copping (organ,bass), Gary Brooker (vocals, piano) and B.J. Wilson (drums). They play mostly old rock tunes on this release, plus one original bluesy song (on which Trower shares composer credit with the others and lyricist Dave Mundy). It's not a Procol Harum album because it's minus the words of Keith Reid, the music of Gary Brooker and the group's original organist Matthew Fisher (who later produced Trower's first 3 solo albums). When these tracks were recorded, Trower had not yet internalized Jimi Hendrix, and with no classical/blues/rock Procol Harum music to work with, his B.B. King-type roots are most in evidence. Although he doesn't play many solos, Robin Trower collectors may enjoy this CD for the brief flashes of guitar brilliance allowed by this material. Review by Joan May - thanks!
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Jimmy Dewar's solo album, 'Stumbledown Romancer', originally recorded in the 70's is finally out on CD! The album is being released by Chrysalis Records, and features one original Trower/Dewar composition and three Dewar/Fisher tunes. Matthew Fisher produced the album and mastered the CD, which has lain in the vaults for more than two decades. For all the info on this great offering, check out the Beyond The Pale Procol Harum Web Site's feature on the release. Many thanks to Joan of Beyond The Pale for all the info.
For those who don't know, James Dewar suffered a tragic medical mishap in 1987, and since then was confined to a wheelchair and full-time care. Tragically, Mr. Dewar passed away on May 17, 2002. Our hopes and prayers go out to Jimmy, his family and friends.
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There has been a persisent rumour that Chrysalis Records will be soon be releasing another "Best of" Trower offering called 'For Earth Below: The Best Of Robin Trower'. Word has it that RT himself will put together some of his favorite tracks, and the entire CD will be digitally remastered. We're still awaiting the final word on this front. But, this rumour has been circulating for a couple of centuries, so we'll have to keep our eyes peeled ;-).
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