Buyer beware
G. Lee | San Juan Capistrano, CA | 07/31/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Bad news, Robben Ford fans, this is not a new CD by the master blues guitarist, it's a re-issue of a CD that in an earlier incarnation was entitled "Blues Connotation", and even then this product was mislabelled as a Robben Ford project when in fact it's taken from recordings of the late '80s and early '90s led by a drummer named Jerry Granelli, and if you search "Jerry Granelli" here on Amazon for his CDs, you'll find these same tracks listed on one of Granelli's CDs under an entirely different title. Robben and the other stellar players listed on this recording (Charlie Haden, Bill Frisell, Kenny Garrett, etc.) were obviously drafted as guns-for-hire on the date, but despite the plethora of talent here, the music itself is criminally boring. It sounds like everyone started noodling in the studio hoping something would happen, but these arrangements and the choice of material will put you to sleep. I seriously doubt this is a Robben Ford-approved reissue. Save your cash."
Smoke-filled room full 'o jazz.
Paul Keller | Santa Clara, CA USA | 11/02/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Having seen McCoy Tyner and Ron Carter years ago at the Keystone Corner in San Francisco, this takes me back there. Sure, it's not what everyone would expect from a Robben Ford CD, but Robben's never been one to stick with a formula. That's probably hurt his overall volume, but this man's passion and exploration is undisputable. I think the other reviewers are far too harsh. Robben is not *just* a blues player. He played with Miles Davis for crying out loud. I'm not all that impressed with the production quality, as it's a bit thin. But, the performances are solid. Anyway, as a side note, I'd really like to see a live offering from Robben. I've seen him probably two dozen times over the past 3 decades, and I've been blown off my chair at every show. The man is quite simply, the best to ever hold a guitar."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1