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Robben Ford

In the 1960s, long before pop artists were backed by the generic, computer-based accompaniment that is commonplace today, singers often recorded with formidable house bands, including Booker T. & the MG’s and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. The former band came together at Stax records in Memphis, laying down timeless grooves on hits by artists like Otis Redding, Albert King, and Carla Thomas. The latter group based in Muscle Shoals, as well as New York and Nashville, enhanced such classic tracks as Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally,” and Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome.”

Growing up in the ’60s, a teenaged Robben Ford spent countless hours listening to artists like Aretha and Otis, at the same time soaking in guitar blues from Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King. In his early 20s, Ford went on to join blues luminary Jimmy Witherspoon’s band. But soon, Ford experienced a diversion from the genre. In 1974, the guitarist was discovered by saxophonist Tom Scott, whose progressive fusion group, L.A. Express, then teamed up with Joni Mitchell to support her Court and Spark tour and play on two of her albums (1974’s Miles of Isles and 1975’s The Hissing of Summer Lawn).

Today, possessing a résumé that includes stints with an impressively broad range of other musical personalities Miles Davis, George Harrison, Little Feat, and the Yellowjackets, among many others Ford has demonstrated an uncanny adaptability similar to that of the MG’s and the Muscle Shoals group. The guitarist has effortlessly traversed genres without compromising his exquisite, blues-based playing and singing. So it’s only natural that on his latest album, Keep On Running (CCD- 2187), Ford tips his hat to Muscle Shoals and the MG’s, offering fresh takes on soul classics, in addition to serving up several glowing originals.

Keep On Running boasts a core group of heavyweight players, bassist Jimmy Earl and drummers Toss Panos and Steve Potts. Ford couldn’t be happier with his co- conspirators. Of the low-end, he raves, “Jimmy’s just about my favorite bassist in the world. He has a great feel, and he and I see eye-to-eye in terms of time; Jimmy is so comfortable to play with.” Ford is similarly praiseful of his percussionists: “Steve plays so beautifully. He can do rhythm ’n’ blues in such an authentic way, while at the same time sounding incredibly fresh. And I’ve played with Toss on the road for a couple of years now; I’ve really benefited from his unique feel.”

Among other instrumentalists, Ford expanded the core group with a battery of keyboard players. But after the recording was completed, Ford, a relentless perfectionist, found that their sounds were incongruous. He explains, “At a certain point, I thought, ‘What’s wrong with this picture?’ It turned out I just didn’t want to hear the [Hammond] B3 [organ].” So Ford, himself a diligent multi- instrumentalist, redid most of the keyboard parts, using the more appropriate-sounding Wurlitzer electric piano.

Ford’s journey throughout this CD, his second for Concord Records, covers many musical miles. Starting things off, the title track is a fresh though faithful cover of the Spencer Davis Group classic, which captured a then 17-year-old Steve Winwood on vocals. Joining the core cast here are Bob Malach on tenor sax and Edgar Winter on baritone; Ford expertly handles the guitar, vocal, and keyboard parts. “I really dug this record when I was growing up,” says Ford. “I’d been wanting to hear it again, but it only recently became available on CD. My producer [John Wooler] also had this song in mind. We worked up an arrangement at rehearsal recorded it.”

“Over My Head” showcases Ford’s organic, breezy compositional style in a song dealing with the oldest of subjects: man chases woman, followed by heavy infatuation. Here, his smooth, blues guitar screams and moans in a perfect extension of the song’s soulful vocals. “‘Over My Head’ came from a casual guitar riff that I found myself playing one day,” says Ford. “The words tumbled out quite naturally. The riff seemed to suggest something many men go through as one point, or many times•meeting a woman you know is dangerous but find completely irresistible.”

Ford was at first uncertain about “Can’t Do My Homework,” originally recorded by Otis Rush. The guitarist says, “We played the song, but it has such a camp lyric. It felt so good, though, and was so much fun to play, that we just had to use it.” And it is such an enjoyable listen, too. Showcased here are Ford’s gorgeous guitar tones and sharp, playful improvisations, which never stray too far from Rush’s original version.

On “Badge” (written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison, and recorded by Cream), Ford offers another respectful cover, his smooth vocals backed by those of Siedah Garret (the singer also appears on “Bonnie”), and his creamy guitar tone recalling that of Clapton, while retaining Ford’s own unmistakable imprint. “I’ve always loved the first Cream album, which is brilliant,” says Ford. “Recording ‘Badge’ was John Wooler’s idea. I’m glad he suggested it; the song so was nice to use as a touchstone, since I had worked with Harrison, and he had recently passed away. You can really hear his influence in there, as well as Clapton’s.”

“Peace Love & Understanding” finds Ford using R&B to smooth out a more rocking version recorded previously by Elvis Costello. On this outstanding song, Ford duets with the legendary Mavis Staples (who, incidentally, began her recording career at Stax/Volt in 1969, backed by the MG’s) commenting on the difficult times as of late. Ford explains, “I have to say that I didn’t grow up listening to Elvis Costello. But this song presented a great opportunity: I don’t like what’s going on in the world right now, and “Peace Love & Understanding” expresses a beautiful sentiment.

A smart blues instrumental, “Cannonball Shuffle” was written by Ford for Freddie King. The composition showcases Ford’s gutsy though refined playing, in addition to some fine soloing from Malach. Ford says, “While planning this album, Wooler and I were talking a lot about Freddie King. As a youngster, I’d never gotten next to him, but now that I’ve taken the time to get inside his style, I modeled ‘Cannonball Shuffle’ after tunes like ‘Hideaway’ and ‘The Stumble.’”

The album’s second half “Me and My Woman,” “Bonnie,” “Lifetime Thing,” “For the Love of Money,” and “Hand in Hand With the Blues” maintains a similar vibe. It’s at once old-school and, thanks to Ford’s outstandingly fresh playing, contemporary. Ford says, “This is the music I grew up with, when things were more carefree. For me, the album is full of nostalgia. I think we could all use some of that kind of feeling today.”
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Read "Blooz" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
October 27, 2022

There are several ways of judging the success of a recording. Perhaps a hearing makes the listener, if a musician, want to sit in and jam. That is a good sign. Then there is the “sit still test." For many, the direct, emotional and physical connection between music and brain leaves them simply hanging out, absence of motion impossible, sitting still not an option. Grant Geissman's Blooz happily passes both tests. Turn the volume up and a blues party comes ...

Album Review

Robben Ford: Pure

by Doug Collette
August 30, 2021

It's only fitting guitarist Robben Ford assigns a closeup of his chosen instrument to the cover of Pure. His devotion to the axe is at least equal to, if not greater than, the ardor he elicits from fretboard fanatics. But then that's a deserved devotion as the man demonstrates in less than two minutes at the very outset of his first instrumental studio album since Tiger Walk ( Blue Thumb,1997): the one-time member of Tom Scott's L.A. Express and Miles ...

Extended Analysis

Robben Ford: Bringing It Back Home

by Something Else! Reviews
March 14, 2013

Robben Ford's most focused, unembellished album in like, forever, may have also been the easiest album the virtuosic blues/jazz/rock/you-name-it guitarist has made in a long spell, too. In talking about Bringing It Back Home, the guitarist/vocalist says, “The results are really pure, and the most fun I've had making an album in years." In “bringing it back home" with a collection of older folk, blues and R&B tunes, some of which he didn't even know about prior to the recording ...

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Christian Howes: Out of the Blue

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by Ian Patterson
September 27, 2010

The violin is widely considered as the most expressive of instruments, closely approximating the human voice. It depends, however, to a large degree, on whose hands the instrument is in. Christian Howes is that rare breed of musician who makes the violin talk; using the idiom of the blues on Out of the Blue, Howes gives a virtuoso performance, as full of emotion as it is technically dazzling. Joined by guitarist Robben Ford , who lends his jazz-inflected accent to ...

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Interview

Robben Ford: From the Soul

by Matthew Warnock
September 14, 2009

Few guitarists on the scene today can boast a longer, more diverse and accomplished career than that of perennial blues-jazz great Robben Ford. Having toured and recorded as a sideman with such legendary performers as Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Bonnie Raitt and Miles Davis, Ford has also made a name for himself as a bandleader, instrumental composer and songwriter. With the release of his 2009 album Soul on Ten, his fourth for the Concord label, the five-time Grammy nominee is ...

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Album Review

Robben Ford: Soul on Ten

Read "Soul on Ten" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
September 14, 2009

While he's largely lived in the blues world for much of his career, guitarist Robben Ford has always been defined by a jazz sensibility. Sure, there's the grease and grit of overdriven, wah-wah'd electric guitar and a strong, rock-hard backbeat; but Ford's language since Robben Ford and the Blue Line (Stretch, 1992) has been a compelling combination of visceral blues bends and more evolved harmony. It's no surprise that he's been the go-to guitarist for everyone from Miles Davis and ...

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Album Review

Robben Ford: Truth

by Martin Gladu
October 2, 2007

If the truth of the pudding is indeed in the eating, then Robben Ford's own Truth leaves one somewhat unsatiated. Coincidently, Ford's releases for Concord have gotten a rather lukewarm reception from critics and longtime fans enamored with his jazzy blues romp, while the general public--and consequently, PDs and radio executives--take delight in the slicker soul/R&B foray. Considering his string of acclaimed recordings for Chick Corea's Stretch label, one is left wondering who exactly the targeted audience here is.

Recording

Robben Ford and Bill Evans New Album 'Common Ground' Out On September 30th On MPS

Source: Michael Ricci
September 24, 2022

MPS is proud to announce the release of the newest project by Robben Ford and Bill Evans, called Common Ground on September 30th, 2022. The multiple times Grammy nominees Ford and Evans have shared the stage in Europe, North America and even Japan and already released a collaborative album called The Sun Room together in 2019 (earMUSIC). With the jazz rock album Common Ground they continue their creative relationship as Evans explains. “Every now and then, like-minded musicians are able ...
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Recording

Drummer Jerry Granelli Reunites with Guitar Greats Bill Frisell & Robben Ford After 25 Years for Blues-Soaked Repertoire on "Dance Hall"

Source: DL Media
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Education

Guitar Legend Robben Ford Announces Guitar Dojo Camp with Sonny Landreth

Source: Chris M. Slawecki
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Few guitarists have simultaneously shattered the boundaries of blues guitar with the eloquence and melodic invention of Robben Ford and slide guitar visionary Sonny Landreth. From August 4 – 8, 2014, at the elegantly rustic Full Moon Resort in the Catskill Forest Preserve (about 30 miles west of Woodstock, N.Y.), enthusiasts and guitarists of all skill levels will receive a once in a lifetime opportunity to join Robben Ford and Sonny Landreth for four days and nights of personal guitar ...
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Recording

Larry Carlton & Robben Ford "Unplugged"

Source: Chris M. Slawecki
April 1, 2013

The New Morning club in Paris presents the incredible - and long awaited - pairing of two guitar giants for their first Unplugged show. Imagine: Larry Carlton and Special Guest Robben Ford, two legendary guitarists... one stage unplugged... a guitar lover’s dream! This unique pairing of two all-time great guitar legends delivers an unforgettable evening of dueling guitar solos and an uncompromising evening of The Blues performed the way it was meant to be. Nineteen-time Grammy Nominee, four-time Grammy winner ...
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Recording

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Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations
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Recording

Robben Ford - The Inside Story (1979)

Source: Something Else!
March 1, 2011

By S. Victor Aaron Two weeks from today the Yellowjackets are set to release their 20th or so proper album, Timeline, and we'll gonna give you the lowdown on it soon. But as the 'Jackets celebrate thirty years of making records, it might be a good time to cast a gaze back on the record where one of jazz fusion's most successful and longest running concerns got its start. That's right, the Yellowjackets was born out of the sessions for ...
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Website

Robben Ford's "Indianola" - First Track to Top 1,000 Downloads in a Single Day

Source: Michael Ricci
September 15, 2009

Guitarist Robben Ford's track “Indianola“ from Soul on Ten (Concord Music Group, 2009) was the first MP3 at All About Jazz to top 1,000 downloads in a single day, reaching 1,216.

To download more free music, visit our Free MP3 page. We currently offer AAJ members over 60 pages of quality music.

All About Jazz has offered a free daily download since November 2005 from artists spanning all genres of jazz including Gary Burton, Wayne Krantz, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Brian Blade, ...
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Interview

Guitarist Robben Ford Interviewed at AAJ...And More!

Source: All About Jazz
September 14, 2009

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Recording

Robben Ford Releases New Live CD - Soul on Ten

Source: On Target Media Group
August 11, 2009

The new CD from Grammy nominated blues guitarist Robben Ford, Soul On Ten, hits stores today (CD & digital) via Concord Records. The new live album is Ford's 4th Concord release and features three brand-new Robben Ford compositions in “Earthquake” and a pair of studio recordings, “Don’t Worry About Me” and “Thoughtless,” as well as covers of classic Chicago blues numbers in Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful” and Elmore James’ “Please Set a Date.” Listen to the full ...
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Recording

Robben Ford to Release "Soul on Ten" August 11,2009

Source: All About Jazz
June 17, 2009

For Soul on Ten, his fourth and latest album for the Concord Music Group, five-time Grammy nominee Robben Ford is definitely on ten, playing with the kind of skill and experience that had Musician magazine dubbing him one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century. With eight of the ten tracks recorded live over two nights at The Independent in San Francisco last Apriljust across town from the Fillmore, where the north California native grew up hearing the ...
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