When you think of guitar heroes from the ’70s, the usual suspects tend to show up in most lists with the likes of Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, and Tony Iommi making regular appearances in those selections. Robin Trower, whose guitar toting histrionics once earned him the accolade “The White Hendrix,” certainly deserves to be up there with the best of them. Ex-Procol Harum six stringer, Robin Trower is a popular regular on the gig circuit and was making a much welcomed return to Newcastle to show the Northern crowd his chops.
Although deserving of a much larger crowd, those in attendance witnessed a fine performance with Trower in rip-roaring form showing his Hendrix inspired explosive solos and groove driven Bluesy riffs to full effect. Although Trower may be a little older and wiser since his ’70s heyday, he’s lost none of his fretwork potency and took the crowd back to a time where passion and fire meant more than speed and ostentatiousness.
It’s not all about Trower though. Vocalist Davey Pattinson possesses one soulful voice bringing a real sense of class to old favorites such as “Day of the Eagle” and the classic “Bridge of Sighs”. Long-time bandmate Pattinson had the unenviable task of filling the huge shoes left after Trower parted ways with James Dewar, quite possibly one of the most underrated singers of an era. If you’ve not heard him sing, you really are missing a treat. Dewar unfortunately passed away a few years ago, but Pattinson certainly delivers the goods on stage.
Trower will be releasing a new album in the very near future and took the opportunity of airing “The Turning” during the show, which featured a fine riff right out of Trowers’ top draw and certainly provided a tantalizing taster for his new release.
Although the classy “Victims of the Future” and the up-tempo “Caledonia” were unfortunately missing from the set, this did not spoil the evening as Trower delivered a master class set of psychedelic-tinged Blues-based Hard Rock … and sent the crowd back home more than happy.
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