Review: Greg Phillips. Photos: Jason Rosewarne.
It had been close to three years since Robben Ford appeared at St.Kilda’s Memo Music Hall. Last time he featured a four piece band, tonight he was in trio mode, with Jonny Henderson on keyboards (and playing the bass parts) and Ian Thomas on drums.
Opening with The Light Fandango, the tune gave everyone in the band the chance to loosen up. From the get-go, the tone coming off stage was unmistakably Robben Ford, bright, chimey and liquid gold. To the delight of guitar nerds in the crowd (and there were many), Blues MD, a nod to the great Miles Davis (whom Ford played with) followed.
On his last Australian tour Robben favoured a Blonde 1960 Fender Telecaster. Tonight it was mostly a Fender Strat, picking up a PRS later in the evening.
What’s in the Phryg? is a track he performed on tour recently with his Dragon Tales Band, which featured Rolling Stones/Miles Davis bassist Darryl Jones. The band was formed to pay tribute to Jeff Beck and amp creator Alexander Dumble. Ford played the tune tonight, with Dumble amp head #2 sitting nearby. This was the first of four tracks he played in a row honouring the great Jeff Beck. Behind The Veil, Pork Pie Hat, and Big Block followed, all tracks from an upcoming Jeff Beck inspired album he’ll be releasing soon.
Telling us he “woke up this morning and had this song in his head so had to play it,” he then launched into John Lennon’s Jealous Guy complete with vocals. While in the mood for a sing, Supernatural from the 1999 album of the same name was up next, followed by a funky I Make My Own Weather. Swapping his Strat for a gold PRS guitar, Ford and band eased into a, extended, smokin’ Black Night is Falling giving us a fine fix of the blues and featuring some heartfelt organ courtesy of Jonny Henderson.
Jonny then switched to a rhodes piano sound to lead us into the joyous, gospel tinged Revelation from Robben’s Talk To Your Daughters album, lifting the spirits of everyone in the room before ending the main set and leaving the stage.
Ford returned to the stage and tells us he recently moved from Paris to London but was seriously considering Melbourne as a new home. Choosing In The Beginning from 1997’s Tiger Walk album as the final piece of the night, the band jammed up a storm. There aren’t many certainties in life but you can be assured that a night of music provided by Robben Ford and band is going to be of the highest quality, a lesson in guitar virtuosity and most importantly, extremely entertaining.
SET LIST:
The Light Fandango
Blues MD
What’s In The Phryg?
Behind The Veil
Pork Pie Hat
Big Block
Two Shades of Blue
Feeling’s Mutual
Jealous Guy
Supernatural
Make My Own Weather
Black Night
Revelation
Encore:
In the Beginning
ROBBEN FORD AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Thursday March 6 The Lounge, Concourse Chatswood NSW
Friday March 7 Factory Theatre Marrickville NSW
Saturday March 8 Princess Theatre Brisbane QLD
Sunday March 9 Harmonie German Club Canberra ACT
Wednesday March 12 Freo Social Fremantle WA
Friday March 14 The Gov Adelaide SA
Saturday March 15 The Nightcat Fitzroy VIC
Tickets to all shows on sale now
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